Camper Van Desktop Build

[JewBear]

Budget: ($2,500 USD) Peripherals and mounts not included in budget

Country: USA

 

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 

I am a software engineer who works in the game industry, this will mostly be used for proprietary engines, Unreal 4 & Visual Studio. It would also be used for playing personal games (COD, Skyrim, Dying Light, FarCry)

 

I am looking at moving into my camper van to travel for a while during the remote period of my job. The only thing that is holding me up from doing this is being able to have the computer and internet access I need to continue to work on the road! If I could get this done I would be fully ready and able to move into my van and travel!!

 

Other details:

Min Specs Needed:

Intel I9 (any version)

Nvidia 30 Series

Min Resolution at 144hz- 2K

32gb Memory

Storage: 4TB min(2TB of those SSD min)

 

I have build a few desktop before however now I have three new problem that I face:

1. It must be build into my camper van

     - Durable

     - Small

2. I must find a way to power it for extended periods of time without shore power:

    - I would rather not use a generator (or if so a quiet one, I don't want to be that guy)

    - The Van already has Solar but only enough to power fridge, lights, water pump, charge a phone (Would need way more batteries and panels to accommodate a desktop, possible more space that I have)

3. RELIABLE ways to have a satellite internet connection (would prefer 100+ mbps)

    - Remember this needs power too!

[curiousmind34]

2 minutes ago, JewBear said:

Budget: ($2,500 USD) Peripherals and mounts not included in budget

Country: USA

 

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 

I am a software engineer who works in the game industry (AAA), this will mostly be used for proprietary engines, Unreal 4 & Visual Studio. It would also be used for playing personal games (COD, Skyrim, Dying Light, FarCry)

 

Other details:

Min Specs Needed:

Intel I9 (any version)

Nvidia 30 Series

Min Resolution at 144hz- 2K

32gb Memory

Storage: 4TB min(2TB of those SSD min)

 

I have build a few desktop before however now I have two new problem that I face:

1. It must be build into my camper van

     - Durable

     - Small

2. I must find a way to power it for extender periods of time without shore power:

    - I would rather not use a generator

    - The Van already has Solar but only enough to power fridge, lights, water pump, charge a phone (Would need way more batteries and panels to accommodate a desktop, possible more space that I have)

3. RELIABLE ways to have a satellite internet connection (would prefer 100+ mbps)

    - Remember this needs power too!

To be honest, everything you described would probably work easier with a laptop. Laptops are smaller and consume less power. There are some usb dongles sold by carriers that have cellular built in, that’s your only real option other than maybe starlink. Is there a reason you specifically need a desktop, and specifically a 30 series card and i9? Added bonus with laptops is that they are actually somewhat in stock with decent gpus. Also, if you don’t have enough storage availible you can stick in a 4TB m.2 and be off to the races.

[JewBear]

10 minutes ago, curiousmind34 said:

specifically a 30 series card and i9

Unfortunately these are required due to my role so no wiggle room there. My job is performance oriented so I need to be on the newest hardware and then can simulate older ones. 

10 minutes ago, curiousmind34 said:

Added bonus with laptops is that they are actually somewhat in stock with decent gpus

I don't specifically NEED a desktop but I do tend to prefer them. I have been looking around at some laptops and  while there are some pretty good options, I would definitely rather stay on a desktop. (Kinda just a personal preference). That said if desktop isn't an option its definitely not the hill I chose to die on.

 

10 minutes ago, curiousmind34 said:

other than maybe starlink

I think that Starlink would be an amazing idea, that said it is not mobile and does not work once you leave your designated area  (Found this on their FAQ page)

Quote

Your Starlink is assigned to a single cell. If you move your Starlink outside of its assigned cell, a satellite will not be scheduled to serve your Starlink and you will not receive internet. This is constrained by geometry and is not arbitrary geofencing. (https://www.starlink.com/faq)

 

[manikyath]

for issue #2 i can already point towards these:

https://hdplex.com/hdplex-400w-hi-fi-dc-atx-power-supply-16v-24v-wide-range-voltage-input.html

 

you'll probably need a pair to run a high end pc, but you can essentially wire them straight into a 24V lead-acid battery system. on the off chance that you have a 24 volt system on your van it plugs straight into that.. if the van is 12 volts (like 99.99% of road vehicles..) you should really consider a 24V system for the high current stuff either way.

[curiousmind34]

2 hours ago, JewBear said:

Unfortunately these are required due to my role so no wiggle room there. My job is performance oriented so I need to be on the newest hardware and then can simulate older ones. 

I don't specifically NEED a desktop but I do tend to prefer them. I have been looking around at some laptops and  while there are some pretty good options, I would definitely rather stay on a desktop. (Kinda just a personal preference). That said if desktop isn't an option its definitely not the hill I chose to die on.

 

I think that Starlink would be an amazing idea, that said it is not mobile and does not work once you leave your designated area  (Found this on their FAQ page)

 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XT9TTJ

CPU: Intel Core i9-10900K 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor  ($459.99 @ Newegg) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler  ($99.95 @ Amazon)  (Yes, I checked, it barely fits https://imgur.com/a/52dvsq7)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX Z490-I GAMING Mini ITX LGA1200 Motherboard  ($259.99 @ Amazon) 
Memory: PNY XLR8 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($149.54 @ B&H) 
Storage: Samsung 870 Evo 4 TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($479.99 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB Founders Edition Video Card  ($699.00) 
Case: Lian Li TU150 Mini ITX Desktop Case  ($90.28 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Corsair SF 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular SFX Power Supply  ($191.98 @ Newegg) 
Total: $2430.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-04-02 13:57 EDT-0400

You can decide between going all ssd or having a faster ssd boot drive and a slower long term storage drive, it depends on your use case. Have no idea where you would be able to snag a 3080 for msrp, but the maximum length for a gpu is 12.6 inches, compared to 11.2 inches for founder edition, so make sure that if you don’t get a founders edition card it isn’t too big. You might want to get a different case, but this one has a handle so it is a bit easier to carry.

As to how to power all this, you are going to either need around another solar panel (more or less depending on how much you are going to use it, but should be rated for a few hundred watts) and a battery (also depends on how much you use it at night). In terms of a reliable internet connection, your only real option is to go out and buy a usb powered cellular modem from your cellular provider and power that from your pc.

Edit: You might want to look into the power solution above, they probably know more than me

[JewBear]

3 hours ago, curiousmind34 said:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XT9TTJ

That's actually a pretty great build. I'm pretty shocked that CPU cooler actually fits. 

 

3 hours ago, manikyath said:

for issue #2 i can already point towards these:

https://hdplex.com/hdplex-400w-hi-fi-dc-atx-power-supply-16v-24v-wide-range-voltage-input.html

 

As far as the batteries go that's the best I have seen so far but after a lot of measuring I don't think I will be able to compromise the space I would need for batteries, so it seems im going with a small Honda generator (to be honest I thought they were much louder than they are, about the volume of a normal conversation)

[manikyath]

2 hours ago, JewBear said:

That's actually a pretty great build. I'm pretty shocked that CPU cooler actually fits. 

 

As far as the batteries go that's the best I have seen so far but after a lot of measuring I don't think I will be able to compromise the space I would need for batteries, so it seems im going with a small Honda generator (to be honest I thought they were much louder than they are, about the volume of a normal conversation)

going direct off 24V lead acid is your best bet for powering a computer, from what i've found.

 

and really.. a pair of car batteries (in series, so 24V) will get your pc quite a long way.

 

past that.. i'd never want to rely on just solar. for the relatively low power stuff the engine's generator is a good enough alternative, but if you're expecting to run high power loads.. you'll need to pack the van full of solar panels.

[brob]

I would suggest a small quiet generator. My reason for suggesting a generator is reliability.

 

I suspect the real problem is going to be securing reliable broadband. But over the next year or two several leo satellite networks are scheduled to come online. Given the competition at least one of them will likely offer mobile solutions.