Build a 6502 computer
Learn how computers work by building and programming a computer with the classic 6502 microprocessor. This was the first truly low-cost microprocessor that started the personal-computing revolution. Versions of 6502 found their way into the Atari 2600, Apple II, Nintendo Entertainment System, Commodore 64, Atari Lynx, BBC Micro and many other computers and game consoles of the era.
In this video series, I'll build a basic 6502 computer with an LCD display and a few buttons, explain how to program it in assembly, and write a game or two.
Videos
This series is in progress and more videos are on the way soon!
27:24
“Hello, world” from scratch on a 6502
Kits
If you’re interested in following along with the videos and building your own 6502 computer, I provide a kit that includes all of the components.
Please note: In addition to the base kit, you will need:
A 5-volt power supply
An EEPROM programmer
Also, if you want to follow all of the experiments and debugging in the videos, I recommend the clock module kit and an Arduino Mega. The clock module kit also happens to include a 5-volt power supply.
Note: This kit is designed to go with the video series above which is not yet complete. The videos are the only instructions for the kit. So if you buy the kit now, you will need to wait for me to finish producing the rest of the videos. I expect all of the videos will be released by the end of 2019 or sooner.
Please see the fine print below, particularly for non-US customers.
Schematics
Here's the schematic for the final computer—or at least as far as I plan to go with the initial series of videos. The kit above includes all the parts to build this (plus a few extra buttons and LEDs to give you some options for I/O.)
Schematic of the 6502 computer
Data sheets
W65C02
W65C22
HD44780
74HC00 Quad 2-input NAND gate
28C256 256K Parallel EEPROM
62256 256K SRAM
Parts list
Here are all the parts for the 6502 computer. This list is roughly the same as what's included in the kit above, in case you only need individual parts or want to source them from elsewhere.
Qty. Description Sources
3 Breadboard
Jameco, Amazon
1 22 AWG Solid Tinned-Copper Hook-Up Wire
Jameco, Amazon
1 W65C02 CPU
Jameco
1 W65C22S6TPG-14 Versatile Interface Adapter
Jameco
1 AT28C256 EEPROM
Jameco
1 AS6C62256 32k SRAM
Jameco
1 16x2 Character LCD Display - White on Blue
Jameco
1 74HC00 (Quad 2-input NAND gate)
Jameco
1 1Mhz Crystal Oscillator Can
Jameco
8 Tact pushbutton switch
Jameco
10 Red LED
Jameco
1 10kΩ potentiometer (for LCD panel contrast)
Jameco
10 220Ω resistor
Jameco
10 1kΩ resistor
Jameco
10 0.1µF capacitor
Jameco
You’ll also want to have some way to program the EEPROM. In the videos I use a TL866II Plus programmer.
The fine print
Unless otherwise noted, most orders will ship within a week, often much sooner.
If you have questions about an order, payment, or shipping, please contact support@eater.net and include your order number. For technical help assembling or troubleshooting the kits, please post a question at reddit.com/r/beneater since it’s difficult for me to answer these individually. I do try to stay active there.
Non-US customers: Note that all kits ship from California. I’m willing to ship a box anywhere you want, but the buyer—that’s you—is responsible for any applicable import duties and local taxes. Please verify with your customs and taxing authorities before making a purchase to understand what else you may be required to pay.
Finally, the power supply in kit 1 has a North American style plug. It will work worldwide because it supports 100-240 volts, but if your country uses a different type of electrical outlet, you will need to provide a plug adapter (e.g., something like this).
Build a 6502 computer Learn how computers work by building and programming a computer with the classic 6502 microprocessor. This was the first truly low-cost microprocessor that started the personal-computing revolution. Versions of 6502 found their way into the Atari 2600, Apple II, Nintendo Entertainment System, Commodore 64, Atari Lynx, BBC Micro and many other computers and game consoles of the era.
In this video series, I'll build a basic 6502 computer with an LCD display and a few buttons, explain how to program it in assembly, and write a game or two.
Videos This series is in progress and more videos are on the way soon!
27:24 “Hello, world” from scratch on a 6502 Kits If you’re interested in following along with the videos and building your own 6502 computer, I provide a kit that includes all of the components.
Please note: In addition to the base kit, you will need:
A 5-volt power supply An EEPROM programmer Also, if you want to follow all of the experiments and debugging in the videos, I recommend the clock module kit and an Arduino Mega. The clock module kit also happens to include a 5-volt power supply.
Note: This kit is designed to go with the video series above which is not yet complete. The videos are the only instructions for the kit. So if you buy the kit now, you will need to wait for me to finish producing the rest of the videos. I expect all of the videos will be released by the end of 2019 or sooner.
Please see the fine print below, particularly for non-US customers.
Schematics Here's the schematic for the final computer—or at least as far as I plan to go with the initial series of videos. The kit above includes all the parts to build this (plus a few extra buttons and LEDs to give you some options for I/O.)
Schematic of the 6502 computer Data sheets W65C02 W65C22 HD44780 74HC00 Quad 2-input NAND gate 28C256 256K Parallel EEPROM 62256 256K SRAM Parts list Here are all the parts for the 6502 computer. This list is roughly the same as what's included in the kit above, in case you only need individual parts or want to source them from elsewhere.
Qty. Description Sources 3 Breadboard Jameco, Amazon 1 22 AWG Solid Tinned-Copper Hook-Up Wire Jameco, Amazon 1 W65C02 CPU Jameco 1 W65C22S6TPG-14 Versatile Interface Adapter Jameco 1 AT28C256 EEPROM Jameco 1 AS6C62256 32k SRAM Jameco 1 16x2 Character LCD Display - White on Blue Jameco 1 74HC00 (Quad 2-input NAND gate) Jameco 1 1Mhz Crystal Oscillator Can Jameco 8 Tact pushbutton switch Jameco 10 Red LED Jameco 1 10kΩ potentiometer (for LCD panel contrast) Jameco 10 220Ω resistor Jameco 10 1kΩ resistor Jameco 10 0.1µF capacitor Jameco You’ll also want to have some way to program the EEPROM. In the videos I use a TL866II Plus programmer.
The fine print Unless otherwise noted, most orders will ship within a week, often much sooner.
If you have questions about an order, payment, or shipping, please contact support@eater.net and include your order number. For technical help assembling or troubleshooting the kits, please post a question at reddit.com/r/beneater since it’s difficult for me to answer these individually. I do try to stay active there.
Non-US customers: Note that all kits ship from California. I’m willing to ship a box anywhere you want, but the buyer—that’s you—is responsible for any applicable import duties and local taxes. Please verify with your customs and taxing authorities before making a purchase to understand what else you may be required to pay.
Finally, the power supply in kit 1 has a North American style plug. It will work worldwide because it supports 100-240 volts, but if your country uses a different type of electrical outlet, you will need to provide a plug adapter (e.g., something like this).