EEVblog #1080 - Gigatron TTL RISC Kit Computer Review

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[KaptenS]

If you want details on 8 bit Computer look at Ben Eater "Building an 8-bit breadboard computer" play list.

[gregkrekelberg]

I can't speak for the implementers, but I think Dave's assessment of this is a little off point; and perhaps too harsh. From my perspective, this is an excellent demonstration of early computing. I mean *really* early computing. This has a gate count on par with some advanced computers still in the tube era. Having a RISC processor and interpreter puts us into the Apollo AGC timeframe, which helped land humans on the moon. (Having an interpreter was a way balance speed and storage for complexity of calculation, hence the Mandelbrot demo.)

This is a computer (definitely not personal in any way) that reminds us of the history of computing. Today, we rely on computers that have roughly a hundred million times more gates than this kit does. It's easy to forget just how much functionality can be implemented with a few thousand gates. Video, audio, and other peripherals from the modern era (e.g. the 60's) just don't fit with this system.

[HebaruSan]

Here's hoping for a second generation with a native programming environment!

[pauliexcluded]

150 Euros is NOT EXPENSIVE! Good lord we are Engineers! This is a bare bones Harvard architecture TTL based microcomputer! The time they put into this is WAY worth a measly 150 Euros! I am already working on a basic compiler (not interpreter but come on we all have rom flashers). This is VERY well done. Oh, and I am thinking of putting together a pic based solution to translate a standard usb keyboard in through the controller port.

[MarquisDeSang]

The latest update of the rom, support keyboard and basic

[caswal]

I believe the Gigatron Control Language is to abstract you away from the timings needed to successfully output a VGA signal. The 'Operating System' handles that for you.

[NNNILabs]

I solemnly swear not to underestimate the power of TTL ever again.

[plazmotech]

I'm working on building a RISC computer myself. I hope to have it finished within a couple of months. I'll definitely be sending you the kit!

[zachburke]

I really wanted one of these, until I saw Ben eaters 8 bit breadboard TTL computer.
It’s not cheaper by any means, but it teaches a lot more than this.
It really teaches the absolute basics of a CPU, and with that you can expand upon the idea.

People have made some really cool modifications to the design he uses.

[AdamCchannel]

From ESD protection point of view, soldering capacitors first actually makes sense.

[laurakezdi-hamzeloo]

As limited as it is, This is the kind of stuff that inspired me to get started in hobby electronics, give it to a kid and move on to bigger projects!

[ehwestonful]

Very Nostalgic. That's like the original 1960's era minicomputers I had to learn on, . All "flat-pack" or DIP TTL logic gates. We used to troubleshoot down to the chip and gate level to effect repairs. I remember having to manually going through instruction decoding. and the like.

[darer]

Have you seen Ben Eater's breadboard computer and all the other variations he has inspired?

[richfiles]

The part with the watch and the monkey was incredibly exciting! Also, the Gigatron build was pretty entertaining too! ;P
The 4 hour stream was actually cool! I'm rarely up late enough to catch streams from your side of the world.

[yuppiehi]

If anything, the Gigatron is missing two things: a bus interface, and maybe an experimental section of the PCB for additional circuitry. This computer is purely for software geeks, and encourages absolutely ZERO hardware expansion via TTL.

As a kit, what the Gigatron should have included is a logic probe. They're cheap enough to be thrown in. If the student has problems with the build, the logic probe would be really handy for troubleshooting. Maybe dedicate a chapter in the manual for troubleshooting - maybe add in some test points on the PCB, and document those test points in the documentation.

[charlesdeens]

Absolutely fantastic. Good stuff Dave.

[Voidsworn]

I think it would be neat to try to use the faster chips from potatosemi.

[erikjgreen]

Classic pics from early computers too... I remember looking at some of those on my old PC/XT.
Also, the "can't do anything else with it" point Dave mentions is actually quite familiar to anyone who's used the old, old micros. So many of them were limited by not having a tape drive or floppy (hard drives just didn't exist at reasonable prices at the time) or by needing an "extra" hardware card for graphics.

[StreuB]

one ticks all the boxes. Stunning work. Comprehensive was my first thought but that doesn't even cut it. Well done and thanks Dave for the review!

[gorillaau]

I'm glad that Dave dud this short review video as I can't see myself sitting through the full 4 hour video.