Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another • Hacker News Board

Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#1

Post by epatel99 » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 9:58 PM UTC

Disclaimer, I have not yet placed the order. But JLCPCB have so far excepted all files and config so I have 1 more button to press. If anyone see some obvious mistake please send feedback.

This project grew out of curiosity. Loved the https://monster6502.com/ project but that is on another level. Here I tried to stay "reasonable" and added a Raspberry Pico 2 W on the back to drive it all. But also, was curious if Claude could pull this off. Guess I will have to place that order to call the cards.

Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another
epatel.github.io

Re: Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#2

Post by rbanffy » Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 10:10 PM UTC

I would love more LEDs to see the clock flowing through the processor, but that would be a LOT of LEDs.

Maybe someone could invent an SMD transistor with a built-in LED.

Re: Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#3

Post by nativeit » Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 1:50 AM UTC

Great work! Now do it using tubes/valves. The more energy hungry and inefficient the better! The power supply can be the same sort of diesel generators hospitals use during power outages.

Re: Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#4

Post by butvacuum » Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 4:02 AM UTC

nativeit wrote: post #3

Great work! Now do it using tubes/valves. The more energy hungry and inefficient the better! The power supply can be the same sort of diesel generators hospitals use during power outages.

This is a fine project- Learning, Teaching, and simply as art.

And, though I risk being black and blue for agreeing- I'm starting to:

Social media made y'all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it.

- Mike Tyson

Re: Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#5

Post by nubinetwork » Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 6:13 AM UTC

Do you still need the Pico if you connect pins to the outer edge pads?

Re: Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#6

Post by nullc » Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 6:28 AM UTC

I found the LLM writing exceptionally distasteful and it made it difficult to look at the page for a subject I'd otherwise find interesting-- it's an extremely bad style, and also characteristic of a lot of dishonest and abusive conduct on the internet of late.

Re: Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#7

Post by epatel99 » Mon, Jul 27, 2026, 9:46 AM UTC

nubinetwork wrote: post #5

Do you still need the Pico if you connect pins to the outer edge pads?

Don't think so, the idea is it's just an option.

Re: Show HN: Discrete6502 – one thing led to another

#8

Post by epatel99 » Sun, Aug 02, 2026, 11:13 AM UTC

Have placed the order now at JLCPCB. PCBs are 35% ready atm. But! I have still been doing analysis of the board and there is a flaw so a rev B is planned and there are instructions for a fix on rev A (need to add some resistors)