runoverb4

I plan on puting computer in my car. But turning it on and off is such a PITA, so i plan on leaving it on all the time. Assuming I tell the computer to turn off the HD after 5 minutes of non use, and I find a DC to DC converter with 65% efficiency Im trying to figure out how long my optima battery can power it. Their website says the battery can handle 25 Amps of power loss for 155 minutes. I looked up power consumption on my pentium 2ghz and It said it used 1.5 volts. Can anyone figure out how long 5-10 volts (factoring motherboard and open peripherials)can draw current from the battery? Im Lost.

kenny (dremel)

everything draws power based on system load. you need to look at the max ratings for the power supply and design your system to spec from there.

The power supply should have amperage draws, etc. listed on it. Then start doing the math. I would not recommend playing games on it though...

BrendanB lllllllllll

That way power saving features are built in plus you can have a battery that will the computer for a while after the car is off. The secondary plus is that it probably has built in shock protection as it was made to be 'mobil'.

a4mulet30red

put it in hibernate. Standby boots in less than 5 sec. and hibernate boots in about 10 sec. Standby draw very little current while hibernate draw nothing. ( This is if u cut the power with a toggle switch)

A3 4 Me

Do the math.

kenny (dremel)

I think he just needs to find out what the power supply can handle. As long as he isn't playing any huge games or anything like that and is only using it as a car computer, he'll be fine I think with those small micro power supplies. No idea on their current levels.

A3 4 Me

The power supply is always running, and it feeds everything else. Doesn't matter if the power options in the OS are set to spin down hard drives, turn off monitor, etc. As long as the power supply is plugged in and turned on, it's going to draw the same amount of power.

Laptop is a different story, but he's not talking about a laptop.

kenny (dremel)

in terms of providing current to the box. If the PS is rated at say, 110W, he should size the system according to that. I have no idea how they are sized now, especially that it's becoming kinda common to have a carputer. No idea what those are running for powah.