Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
eater.net
Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
1–10 of 56 posts
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#2For the last couple years I've been toying with a relay computer design. Only a few prototype circuits have been built, but I do have (several) completed designs. I'm cautiously optimistic... it should be the fastest relay computer ever built, if I actually do build it. I have a whole bunch of reed relays on hand but the boards (and construction time!) are still expensive for a project of that size.
What fascinates me is that, even with a full design under my belt which works in simulation, computation remains somewhat magical to me.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#3The first time I built a computer from scratch using TTL components was in 1978 for my senior project. I have repeated the effort a couple of times on FPGA's. If you have never tried building your own computer from scratch, you should, it is a great learning experience and also, kind of a lot of fun, I guess if you are a geek which a lot of us on HN are :)
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#4Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#5This series is truly excellent. Ben Eater is a brilliant teacher, and I wish I have has this series growing up - I think I'd be in hardware/electronics now... at the very least, I would have wasted a lot of time tinkering with making my own stuff!
I followed along with the clock module and when I was done I had a Matrix style "I know kungfu" moment - it all was crystal clear. And the series doesn't brush over important details (like dealing with flaky inputs that would cause extra clock pulses etc) so even though I still don't know all the math needed for electronics, I'm far more confident in making my own stuff!
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#6Just started on a fun educational project to emulate a Z80 processor in C. Trying not to look at any existing work, only documentation.
Thinking I'll need to expand the project (emulating the rest of an actual, vintage computer) in order to run existing software and get the full
kick out of it though. Suggestions? Looking for simplicity as I don't need another forever-project.
Edit: asking because there's so many to choose from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Z80-based_home_comput...
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#7 "You need to enable JavaScript to view this site."
In my experience, to see this sort of anti-accessibility from someone who knows the "low-level" enough to build CPUs successfully is unusual, but unfortunately getting more prevalent. The others I'm aware of, http://www.homebrewcpu.com/ and https://www.bigmessowires.com/bmow1/ , have far more accessible sites.
Edit: looks like others here think accessibility is not a concern anymore. That's really disappointing, especially for low-level stuff.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#8Ben Eater is without a doubt in my top 10 youtubers. His videos are so in-depth and explained in such a great way that I come away learning huge amounts every time he posts.
I’m sure a lot of this stuff is basic to people here, but to a software guy, I’ve found his channel invaluable for understanding how computers work at an electronics level and also just wildly fascinating.
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#9[deleted]
Re: Build an 8-bit computer from scratch
#10The first time I built a computer from scratch using TTL components was in 1978 for my senior project. I have repeated the effort a couple of times on FPGA's. If you have never tried building your own computer from scratch, you should, it is a great learning experience and also, kind of a lot of fun, I guess if you are a geek which a lot of us on HN are :)
That’s a project many generations of electrical engineering students did in the university in Dresden. It was fun and great experience and admission for final thesis. I think, it’s a must for every electrical engineer since electrical systems barely exist without software nowadays.