DIY 8-bit Computer: Big Mess o’ Wires
March 2nd, 2009 by Jeff
Steve Chamberlin created an 8-bit computer from discrete logic and called his project the Big Mess o’ Wires.
The BMOW runs at 2MHz and has 512K RAM and 16K ROM. It is constructed with primarily 7400 series logic and over 1048 wirewrap connections.
The feature list is very impressive:
- It can multitask.
- It has VGA video output.
- It can make sounds and music.
- It even runs Microsoft Basic!
Here’s a video of a music test from his site:
I am completely blown away by this project. Has someone invited Steve to the Maker Faire?? I want to see this thing in person!
Check out his site and prepare to spend at least an hour looking at all of his plans and construction photos.
Totally amazing.
Tags: 8-bit, computing, CPU, DIY, interesting, video, wirewrap, wiring
Wow, just like the good old days when Byte Magazine was a truly awesome publication and programming involved a soldering iron!
I’ve always wanted to build a computer like that from scratch