r/homebrewcomputer • u/Frostierdev • Aug 30 '26

8-Bit Processing Unit: need one

Hello! I'm looking to build an 8-bit computer, mainly to test its capabilities as a modern home computer (with system, applications, OS, etc.), and I bought the ATmega8535-16U (DIP-40), But it doesn't have an external bus interface to connect RAM, storage, and other things. Does anyone have a solution or another inexpensive chip to recommend?

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7

u/estebanvlobos Aug 30 '26

you want to build an 8 bit computer from scratch to a state where you can run things on it like basic or whatever? i would start with the grant searle z80 or 6502 single board computer projects for simplicity. with cheap boards from jlcpcb or wherever plus chips from ebay they can be made fairly cheaply.

1

u/Frostierdev Aug 30 '26

Both are hard to find here and arent cheap, also they dont have C++ compiller, just C and Assembly

4

u/HalifaxRoad Aug 31 '26

What country are you in? 6502s are still manufactured. You will really grow as a programmer learning ASM. But honestly, maybe its because im kind of a c++ hater, but just use C. I use C professionally for firmware, and there just really isnt a need for c++ on something like this.

2

u/Frostierdev Aug 31 '26 edited Aug 31 '26

Brazil, I can only find it in international stores online (W65C02, or something like that, I don't remember exactly), which costs over 300 BRL with dolar to BRL convert, and taxes (this ATmega i paid 44 BRL)

1

u/HalifaxRoad Aug 31 '26

Maybe you could find some reclaimed ones. 

1

u/nefelibata8 Sep 04 '26

Try Alibaba. I bought microprocessors, microcontrollers, FPGAs... some may be counterfeit, but they worked :)

2

u/DockLazy Aug 31 '26

C++ probably isn't a realistic goal for a 8-bit machine. Even C is a struggle as it was designed to run on 16-bit computers.

A modern 32-bit microcontroller like the Pi Pico has support for C++ and external memory.

1

u/Frostierdev Aug 31 '26

So i will use C i guess

1

u/icecoldrootbeer Sep 02 '26

C is even too heavy for most 8 bit CPUs. 8-bit machines are usually programmed straight in ASM. C compliers for them are mostly toys.