Developer Creates DIY 8-Bit CPU

MaizeMan writes "Not for the easily distracted: a Belmont software developer's hand-built CPU was featured in Wired recently. Starting with a $50 wire wrap board, Steve Chamberlin built his CPU with 1253 pieces of wire, each wire wrapped by hand at both ends. Chamberlin salvaged parts from '70s and '80s era computers, and the final result is an 8-bit processor with keyboard input, a USB connection, and VGA graphical output. More details are available on the developer's blog."

Comments

I can do 2^1 better

[physicsphairy]

I own a two-bit computer. My dad gave it to me. I know it is two bits because before he gave it to me he would often remark "I hate this ******* two bit computer."

(Yes, it is also reproductive.)

Re:A lenient definition of "make"

[jcr]

The functional components are all off-the-shelf TTL ICs.

Well, he is only one person, after all. Even if he was studly enough to build it from vacuum tubes, he probably wouldn't be winding his own filaments.

-jcr

Correct! Six thousand cores

[Dachannien]

built his CPU with 1253 pieces of wire

Farnsworth: Let me show you around. That's my lab table, and this is my work stool, and over there is my intergalactic spaceship. And here is where I keep assorted lengths of wire.
Fry: Whoa! A real live space ship!
Farnsworth: I designed it myself. Let me show you some of the different lengths of wire I used.

Watchout Intel

[mgblst]

It is about time that Intel has some competition.

Re:A lenient definition of "make"

[morgan_greywolf]

I'm gonna get off his lawn for sure!

Re:That's how we used to make all hobby computers

[frdmfghtr]

Then, as a private project, I built a half adder with washing machine relays but it never worked properly because of power supply problems (which was the 12v transformer from my train set).

Did you try using the "permanent press" cycle?

Re:But does it run Vista?

[Zero__Kelvin]

"not a single version of windows was designed to run on 8 bit cpus."

Which is only logical, given that no version of Windows was developed to run on 32 bit or 64 bit CPUs either. Which versions of Windows were designed to crash on various CPUs is another matter ;-)

(Lighten up over-sensitive Windows Weeinie's with mod points. It is a joke)