Homebrew Microcomputer...sourcing ICs and Stu

[lezanderson]

For anyone interest in homebrew microcomputer design or just making add-ons and electronics gizmo's..this might be of interest.

Sourcing affordable ICs at reasonable prices can be quite tricky, as well as getting datasheets and schematics. I've listed some ICs below which are quite cheap and readily available. There's also plenty of schematics and datasheets for free!

Video ICs

V9958 (plus D41464 DRAMs 4pcs) enhanced TMS9918 good for homebrew video cards . Easy to interface lots of TEXT and Graphics modes, Sprites, Hardware accelerator functions too ! 256x192 (256 Colors), 512 x 192 (16 colors) 40x24 Text, 80 x 24 Text


V6366 (plus EEPROM+DRAMs D41464 2pcs) used in early IBM PC cards gives CGA/EGA type modes. 320 x200, 640 x 200 (16 colors) 640 x 350 + 80 x 25 text etc..

datasheets for these can be found at alldatasheets.com

ICs like Z84C0020, R65C02P4,W65C02P14,HD64180,MC68008 etc can be got cheap if you just ask for best price direct...Z84C0020PEC..$1.50 or so MC68008FN10 $3.00 or so. SRAMs ,EEPROM and not at silly prices..

Sound ICs..Obviously the AY-3-8910, plus things like SN76849 & SAA1099 can be easily sourced and cheap   $1.50 to $2.50!

CPLDs such as the EPM7160SLC84 can be used to create a ULA and Glue logic. A ZX Spectrums ULA fits into 144 Macrocells or so. so you should be able to pop an Amstrad CPC464  ULA onto an EPM7160 !

i tend to source my stuff from G&C bypassing ebay and saving all the ebay fees ! As many ebay shops are getting too greedy !!

**** The Moral is ....................Shop around and buy direct..otherwise you'll pay through the nose ! ****

[Munchausen]

That's cool, thanks. I've got most of the parts for a TMS 9900 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Instruments_TMS9900) system that my father started but never finished. I've still not figured out quite what to do with it all (assuming it still works), but this info could come in very handy!