DigicoolThings Forum

Hello, I am a high school student in South Korea. The reason I am writing this is to ask you how to make an 8-bit computer using a 65c02 chip. We want to make it using a PCB board, but we didn't have enough data. I got to know you while looking for the data, and I would like to ask you some questions if you don't mind.
1. How many pcb boards do you need and what is each role and is there a video of producing pcb boards?
2. How do I connect the pcb boards?
3. Is it necessary to program after making a computer? If necessary, how and what should I do
4. How do I connect to a keyboard or monitor
These have been the questions. I'd really appreciate it if you could answer them.
This is the part we are considering. Please let me know if there is anything wrong
-W65C02S6TPG-14
-W65C22N6TPG-14
-AT28C256-15PU
-AS6C62256-55PCN
-CD74HC00E*4
-SN74HC04NE4*3
-CD74HC04E*3
-CD74HC138E*3
-MXO45T-2C-1M0000*2
-SIC-DIP (14/16/28/40)
-1/4W 5% Axial Resistor 102J (1KΩ)*60
-1/4W 5% Axial Resistor 103J (10KΩ)*60
-LED (red)*10
-LED (green)*20
-Ceramic 0.1㎌, 50V*50
-Bon-102

queon wrote: Wed Apr 01, 2026 4:40 am Hello, I am a high school student in South Korea. The reason I am writing this is to ask you how to make an 8-bit computer using a 65c02 chip.

Welcome. Congratulations on wanting to build a 65C02 based 8-bit computer. A very educational and fun project!

A PCB based computer creation is certainly a good idea. It can make a more reliable system and also can avoid many of the problems resulting from a breadboard based creation.

Hopefully these answers to your questions will help you to think through your best way forward.

1. You can either design a single large PCB based design. Or you could make a modular / bus based system, like I have done with MECB. One advantage of using a modular / bus based system (like MECB), is you can split the design into sub-parts, and also make a flexible / expandable system.

2. If you make a modular / bus based system, you use a backplane to connect all of the PCBs together (see the MECB Backplane).

3. The purpose of making your own 8-bit 65C02 based computer system, is to learn to program it at a low level. i.e. Learn 6502 machine code.

4. The simplest way to connect a keyboard or monitor, is to use a serial terminal. You can use a PC based serial terminal program (like TeraTerm), and connect to your 8-bit computer’s serial port. Typically on a 65C02 system, you would use a 65C51 ACIA. But you could also potentially use a serial interface via a 65C22 VIA.

So, you might want to add a serial interface chip to your parts list (e.g. the 65C51, or other Serial Interface).

I hope this helps, but if you are a beginner, then I strongly suggest starting with an existing 6502 based design. There is a lot to learn to successfully make your own design.

Have fun!

Is there anything wrong with what I planned?

queon wrote: Wed Apr 08, 2026 2:52 am Is there anything wrong with what I planned?

I would just encourage you to go ahead and move forward with your plans! The best way to learn, is simply by doing! Nothing beats personal hands-on experience, for developing your own personal knowledge in all aspects of computer design.

Other than that, I'd just repeat my earlier closing sentence: If you are a beginner (which I assume is the case, based on your questions), then I do strongly suggest starting with an existing (proven) 6502 based design. There is a lot to learn in order to successfully make your own original design.

Also, in regard to your component list, it's not clear why some of the chosen quantities. e.g. two Oscilators, and a large numbr of resistors, and bypass capacitors etc. Although, I would assume this is just to be ordering economic quantities from your supplier, or, extras for redundancy?

Have fun!