8-Bit Homebrew Processor ( www.youtube.com )

So, this isn't exactly retrocomputing and it looks like it's from four years ago, but I just found it and thought that many here may find it interesting.

This guy built a simple 8-bit CPU out of essentially discrete logic circuits (from what I've see so far, nothing more complex than a 4-bit adder chip) and explained the entire process.

youtube.com/playlist?list=PLow…

valid ,

https://konakona.moe/

kalimari ,

Oh Ben Eater? He’s got a fairly large following and his other 6502 breadboard computer series is super relevant to this forum

me OP ,
@me@social.jlamothe.net avatar

Yeah, I found his videos by jumping down a 6502 rabbit hole.

kakes ,

I bought and built this kit a few years back. Super fun project!

https://sh.itjust.works/pictrs/image/aaf5345c-af5a-45a1-b8c9-3370155ed5b3.jpeg

CanadaPlus , (edited )

Hmm, I can't remember now if I've linked the guy doing his own semiconductor etching in his garage. I definitely have elsewhere, and that's kind of similar.

Just in case: Sam Zeloof

kalimari ,

He built his first etching setup when in high school,,, after graduating college a few years ago, he ended up starting a company with Jim Keller, the coauthor of x86-64

CanadaPlus ,

Ah, he has a Wikipedia page now!

screwtape ,
@screwtape@mastodon.sdf.org avatar

@me @retrocomputing

  1. extremely cool
  2. The thing is, while rolling back experienced computer performance/degrowthing computing clearly has to happen
    I think hand-wired 8 bit computing is an educational rather than practical thing. (Obviously 8 bit AVR MCUs are a practical thing). 32 bit physical lisp machines on fpgas! (Eventually)
curtosis ,
@curtosis@mastodon.social avatar

@screwtape @me @retrocomputing Tbh if you’re gonna go FPGA, why not go 36-bit and keep the tag bits? (This is what I keep thinking of doing, anyway.)

screwtape ,
@screwtape@mastodon.sdf.org avatar

@curtosis
Unlike me, you should talk to @amszmidt. What do you think about the existing port/emulation of the 1985 LM-3 to as a starting point for a modern lisp computer (instead of the scheme things that happen sometimes)? (I've tried and failed to get involved because of excuses. ;_;).

I forgot the LM discussion of Actually Using The Extra Bits Available.
@me @retrocomputing

curtosis ,
@curtosis@mastodon.social avatar

@screwtape @amszmidt @me @retrocomputing I do vaguely recall it was an interesting question, though not the details. I will admit at least partial interest in the Because I Can factor of historical recreation. ;-)

me OP ,
@me@social.jlamothe.net avatar

Oh yeah, I can't see any practical use outside of educational, but for that purpose, it's a fantastic resource.

AllNewTypeFace ,
@AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space avatar

Silicon foundries use a lot of water and raw materials and contaminate the ground. Full degrowth may involve abandoning semiconductor technologies and making computers out of simpler parts, such as electromagnetic relays. They’ll be a lot slower and simpler, but with the right knowledge, one can make them from raw materials without bootstrapping a complex technology chain.

Trainguyrom ,

abandoning semiconductor technologies and making computers out of simpler parts

I remember reading an article a while back about basically computing using cards which block or allow light to flow as a series of logic gates. Another way to think of it is reinventing the punch card.

  • All
  • Subscribed
  • Moderated
  • Favorites
  • •
  • random
  • retrocomputing@lemmy.sdf.org
  • All magazines
    •