The Evo-puter In-dash WIP
Dec 11, 2007, 12:30 AM
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The Evo-puter In-dash WIP
Hello all,
I am building a PC in the dash of my MR and thought y'all might want to take a gander. This is a Work-In-Progress, so it's obviously not done yet...
The main progress will be posted over at MP3car.com, but here is a taste:
I am building a PC in the dash of my MR and thought y'all might want to take a gander. This is a Work-In-Progress, so it's obviously not done yet...
The main progress will be posted over at MP3car.com, but here is a taste:
What I am going for is a completely contained in-dash PC in a double din opening. I just got a raise so I splurged on some nicer parts. Unfortunately I couldn't get a 6.5" touchscreen by itself so I went with the WRX 7" bolt in. This screen will be replaced when I get a 6.5...
So anyways, here's the parts:
Commell LS-372
rebranded as Global American Inc. 3307820 <---nice folks
Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 4M cache
2 GB SO-DIMM 667 MHz (PC5300)
M2-ATX and wall adapter
and all the cables and screws and junk
and the screen, of course
I also have a laptop drive as a temporary solution until the solid state SATA drives come down in price. Also to be added:
- nLite-ed XP install
- GPS
- Radio (HQCT or HD? don't know yet...)
- CD/DVD in the glovebox
- Custom front-end written by me (I like to reinvent the wheel)
I forgot to buy thermal paste so I will show it assembled when I get it.
Thanks for your attention...carry on and check back soon!
So anyways, here's the parts:
Commell LS-372
rebranded as Global American Inc. 3307820 <---nice folksCore 2 Duo T7500 2.2 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 4M cache
2 GB SO-DIMM 667 MHz (PC5300)
M2-ATX and wall adapter
and all the cables and screws and junk
and the screen, of course
I also have a laptop drive as a temporary solution until the solid state SATA drives come down in price. Also to be added:
- nLite-ed XP install
- GPS
- Radio (HQCT or HD? don't know yet...)
- CD/DVD in the glovebox
- Custom front-end written by me (I like to reinvent the wheel)
I forgot to buy thermal paste so I will show it assembled when I get it.
Thanks for your attention...carry on and check back soon!
Dec 11, 2007, 09:09 AM
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Looks like a nice setup. I am looking to do the same thing, possibly with an evdo or 3g wifi router in the trunk. Why do you want to go 6.5" maybe I am missing something... I am still trying to decide between just getting an infill g4 or building my own. I like to build my own, but the convenience of having the dvd in dash seems so nice.
Dec 11, 2007, 09:39 AM
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The reason I wanted to go 6.5 is that the 7" screen will technically not fit within a double-din opening. Mine is about 109mm tall where the double din opening is about 101mm on the Orbital kit. So I will probably have to file down both the screen and that expensive Orbital dash piece...
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Dec 11, 2007, 09:56 AM
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Looks great! I seriously considered doing this a few months ago...read up as much as I could, but felt that I didn't know nearly enough to make it happen. I wanted to really focus on GPS and more importantly logging/tuning on the go. Keep us posted!
Dec 11, 2007, 09:57 AM
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The reason I wanted to go 6.5 is that the 7" screen will technically not fit within a double-din opening. Mine is about 109mm tall where the double din opening is about 101mm on the Orbital kit. So I will probably have to file down both the screen and that expensive Orbital dash piece...
Dec 11, 2007, 10:11 AM
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I don't use and don't want iTunes. I will never buy an iPod and I have already written my own music player using DirectX libs. Besides, I think you need an "always-on" connection to the net for iTunes. I may have that, but not for sure...it's like 60 bucks a month through Verizon or something...
Dec 11, 2007, 10:15 AM
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what did that motherboard run you if you don't mind me asking? I found their website but don't want to request a quote, since I am still up in the air as to which way I am going to go with my CarPC.
Dec 11, 2007, 10:15 AM
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That is why I asked! I almost purchased the WRX screen myself. Only reason I didn't order it is I am still waiting on my Orbital kit.
I was able to secure sources for a 6.5" LCD panel w/touchscreen but it had a TTL connection and I could not get the needed VGA or LVDS interface in quantities of less than 1000. I spent months trying to put it together, but no go
Dec 11, 2007, 10:19 AM
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what did that motherboard run you if you don't mind me asking? I found their website but don't want to request a quote, since I am still up in the air as to which way I am going to go with my CarPC.
I would go through Global American. The people all speak English and are very nice. They will also sell you a package pre-assembled with the CPU, RAM all tested.
Dec 11, 2007, 10:20 AM
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Master Grade GP-02 FTW!! 
Glad to see a Gundam fan around here.
Best of luck with the project --- if you can detail MG kits, I'm sure this will turn out extremely well.
Glad to see a Gundam fan around here.
Best of luck with the project --- if you can detail MG kits, I'm sure this will turn out extremely well.