Low power draw PC

Hi guys, a simple one..

I've never been too good with electricity and the acronyms included. However, a friend of mine is currently building a van conversion. He wants a desktop pc as opposed to a laptop inside it as well as the usual basic comfort needs and plans to run it from the solar panel..

He's storing the energy in essentially 3 car batteries @ 12v then a power inverter or transformer for any 240v/110v needs.

My question is, is it possible to build a system where power efficiency is key as well as being able to run modern titles on playable quality in say 1080p whilst running off 3 car batteries which he claims can be charged on half a day's solar energy from a 300W solar panel.

Is it possible or practical at least? to me it seems the answer would be no.

 

Use android they're made to be energy efficient. I believe laptop CPUs use less power than desktop ones. 3 car batteries sounds like a lot. I've charged my laptop using my car battery for a couple hours without my car battery dying.

 

I read this thread a while ago and forgot to reply. You have to keep in mind the screen's power as well as the overall wattage over time. I would upgrade the van's battery system kinda like you see people hooking up nice car stereo's with a backup battery or something. Just food for thought. You could get away with a 300-400 watt lightweight pc build that is basic yet acceptable enough to compute swiftly.

 

Oh well, I image a laptop would be the much more ideal choice. However, he insists on having a desktop setup. He has the three batteries for all of this energy requirements, for lights, mini-fridge etc.

Yeah he's putting in three batteries for now and nothing ties to the motors battery so if he does run out of power - at least he'll still be able to start the engine. I was thinking a 400W would be a good start. However, is it capable of running a GPU & CPU capable of running modern titles in moderate quality? or even playable.

 

Depends, what does he intend on running with it? Really changes what he needs.

 

I believe he intends to game on it, more than likely source based games.

 

Laptop tbh. Desktop CPUs and GPUs don't really have power draw in mind. More modern ones do (to an extent) but it's still nothing compared to what a laptop can pull off. Laptops are literally made to take the least amount of power possible.

Just get him to buy a separate monitor and keyboard and mouse and plug them into the laptop.

 

How old of source games give us something to work on. Like counter strike source or what?

 

This was my initial advice. However, I don't have the most recent hardware knowledge so wasn't sure if there were any good alternatives.

He mainly plays the modern source engine titles such as csgo and dota 2 etc..


In conclusion he has decided that he is going to go with a laptop after all. This thread is no longer viable and is essentially answered.

 

Closed as this is figured out.