Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
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Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#2I always upvote Ben Eater's project(s).
I got his 6502 kit and worked through his YouTube videos to get it up and running with LCD display and all. I want to actually frame it and get it running, hanging on a wall.
If anyone is new to Ben, find a comfortable chair or couch, make some tea, take a breath, and begin your descent into his long-form breadboard series of nerd-splaining how a CPU works, beginning with basic logic gates.
His follow-on series is a little higher level. He's still at it with the breadboards but he allows that this time the CPU (a 6502) is already built for us. He then walks through how the address bus works, how to attach RAM, etc.
It makes me wish I could be transported back to the 70's when things could still be understood.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#3I always upvote Ben Eater's project(s). I got his 6502 kit and worked through his YouTube videos to get it up and running with LCD display and all. I want to actually frame it and get it running, hanging on a wall. If anyone is new to Ben, find a comfortable chair or couch, make some tea, take a breath, and begin your descent into his long-form breadboard series of nerd-splaining how a CPU works, beginning with basic…
His series on building a video adaptor is a particular favourite of mine.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#4I always upvote Ben Eater's project(s). I got his 6502 kit and worked through his YouTube videos to get it up and running with LCD display and all. I want to actually frame it and get it running, hanging on a wall. If anyone is new to Ben, find a comfortable chair or couch, make some tea, take a breath, and begin your descent into his long-form breadboard series of nerd-splaining how a CPU works, beginning with basic…
+1 for the 6502 kit. It’s the perfect project. I think the full 8-bit computer is kind of daunting. The 6502 is just big enough to be a fun medium size project. Plus there is a perfect extension project with the video card if you want to add that on.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#5[deleted]
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#6Ben Eater's breadboard CPU is a good way to learn the basics, but since the focus is pedagogical, it's very underpowered for the quantity of chips it uses (and you better enjoy forming wires). For a much more powerful computer built around the same number of TTL chips, see the Gigatron.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#7I can trace back the moment I saw YouTube as a tool for learning when I first saw your 8-bit computer series. I was honestly amazed with the quality of the videos and how clear you can explain things. Top content. I'm a subscriber and a fan to this day. Keep up the good work.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#8Building up a full CPU from logic was one of my favorite things in university! The class was digital logic in the electrical engineering department and was a lot of fun. We even got to write machine code programs for it.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#9You need to enable JavaScript to view this site.
Nope. Why does this page need to be an interactive webapp? Ideally it'd be viewable on the 8-bit computer you built from scratch too.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch (2016)
#10Ben Eater's breadboard CPU is a good way to learn the basics, but since the focus is pedagogical, it's very underpowered for the quantity of chips it uses (and you better enjoy forming wires). For a much more powerful computer built around the same number of TTL chips, see the Gigatron.
And no microprocessor!
But as I understand it the kits are no longer available :-(