Building my Dream Computer - Part 2 

You are absolutely killing it, designed two games and now you’re BUILDING A COMPUTER FROM SCRATCH! This channels come a long way since the iBook guy when I subscribed lol

*This project is the definition of "if you want something done right you gotta do it yourself".*

We're super excited to be part of this project! We have a lot more work to do, but the progress at this point is really amazing. We have a great team full of talented folks and we're really looking forward to the day we can start making them available to the public!

I was delighted to learn that my CPU code is powering the emulator!

That Perifractic guy seems a bit weird... Otherwise lovely video 8-Bit Guv'nor! Seriously though, I'm truly honoured to be part of this eXciting project. Commander X16 FTW! 👍🕹️ P.S. A word about the case design: We are going this route for very good reasons. I'll be doing a full post and user poll shortly on the Facebook about this. In short, we don't want to custom build a case and keyboard as that would add hundreds of thousands of dollars which you guys would have to pay for. It also introduces many risks and delays as you have seen on other projects like the ZX Spectrum Next. Therefore we are limited to high quality off-the-shelf components, which is the spirit of David's project. We will be customizing and rebranding these and you'll see all the options in the aforementioned poll, and have a say. We realize with nearly 1 million subscribers we are not going to be able to please everybody, and we thank you for respecting that. However you can trust that we are moving forward with the best possible option for the community so you can get this machine in your hands as quickly as possible, looking sweet, and at the best value. Keep in mind too that many beautiful classic computers did not have an integrated keyboard. Apple Macintosh, Amiga 1000, Commodore 128D, Amstrad PCW... Thank you for your enthusiasm and feedback 👍🕹️

Love how David's project transformed into a cross-channel collaboration. 8-bit power FTW!

37:14 LOAD "BALLS". Didn't realize I was watching an LGR video

First time I've heard "1 megahert" ... I mean I can see where that's coming from but still mildly amusing.

So weird, I'm sitting at my local coffee shop in Champaign Illinois and overhear a guy ordering coffee and chatting with the barista about the work he is doing for "a guy in Texas named David Murray who's remaking the Commodore 64." What a small world. I enjoy seeing your design and architecture decision-making process unfold.

This Commander X16 computer is a really ambitious project, and hopefully, it could be a new gaming platform for the retro gaming scene with its own unique library of games. I think the X16's gaming capabilities would be like a mix between the Commodore 64, Atari ST and the Amiga. And speaking of games, are you planning to make a custom port of Planet X3 as a pack-in game for the Commander X16? I think it would be pretty cool.

I don't do Facebook. Here's hoping you'll provide updates on major milestones in video format.

I’ve been following this project since day one. So happy to say that my stage 1 board just showed up this week!

I assume this gets asked a lot: But could you please use something else than Facebook to give updates on the X16? You need to make an account there in order to join a group and a lot of people don't want to do that. If you had a website/blog (with an RSS-Feed) it would be easier to follow along. Edit: There's a link to his forum now in the Video-description. Thanks!

Oh I was saying "shut up and take my money" long before you threw the warning in. What an amazing update! This is incredible!

10 Print "x" 20 Goto 10 RUN ALL RIIIIGHT, that works, let's start the mass production.

3:51 reminded me of when in school our teacher assigned the class to each develop a small section of the 8088 processor using all 7400 series logic chips. Everyone did a part of the overall processor and we came in each with multiple breadboards it quickly became a wiring nightmare to run all the buses to hook it all together. I'm sure everyone had at least one if not a handful of wiring mistakes in their section needless to say by the time the class ended we never did get the stupid thing to work.

*It's finally here: 44 minutes of pure greatness* I've been waiting for this video for so long

Wish it wasn't a Facebook group, I don't have Facebook. I would love to see the community in a more open platform.

Looks like 8-Bit Guy wants to make computing FUN again.

Disclaimer. I love this, I will buy one of these. I have been into computers as well as gaming since 1986, this is my wheelhouse and I will own one. The case, please don't use those cases. Please, every bit of soul that is this machine just got obliterated by those half sized keyboard mock ups and that garish "is that a Dish Network cable box" case. Please, no. The logo is banging but those cases, please don't. Edited just because I want to say I love this project and everyone involved. I just hate the damn case 😩

I love the idea of this. A community coming together to build a PC. It's nostalgic. As if you guys were your own startup PC company in the 1980s.

Do you know who's going to want this? Every hardware course for every computer engineering college in the world! This is perfect for teaching.

21:19 I absolutely would purchase a kit version of this. *YES PLEASE* The more soldering necessary, the better!

A kit that the end user can assemble makes a lot of sense, because you can incorporate a little info about how the device works and what it can do with the assembly instructions. E.g. this is the sound chip that has 6 channels (or however many it has). That way developers learn as they build and have good initial familiarity with the hardware before even turning it on.

gonna need a wood grain version of the Commander X16 I'm sure LGR would approve!

I would be so up for a kit version that would allow you to construct the computer yourself!! that would be so retro.

22:00 "And if enough demand, a custom ASIC" Don't, it'll be more expensive and error prone than using an FPGA.The volume and R&D necessary for ASIC production is higher than this project will ever garner. I'm not saying it won't be popular, but it'll never be sold in every Walgreens and Walmart popular, and that's the level where you'd consider going into ASIC production.

I'm eating this stuff up, as I'm a retired EE working from 1981, so this equipment brings back that warm familiar feeling. I broke down and bought a VIC-20 from K-Mart when the price dropped to $239. It only came with 5k or 6k of RAM. I put a 24k expansion card on it. You have a new subscriber! 🙂

For the controller ports, I suggest Sega Megadrive/Genesis compatible. This means it will work with Atari standard joysticks (like most 8 bit computers did) but also have provision for more than one button if required.

I never thought I'd be impressed by 2 megabytes of RAM in 2019...

I don't know why, but your videos are always so interesting and just awesome.. Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

It’s sad that 2.5 years later, we still have no Commander X16, or even a Part 3 video to update us on progress / project status.

Glad to see that there is a working prototype for this now! As a computer engineering student, I find these types of projects fascinating. I know you're not much of a fan of FPGAs, but through my education I've come to see them as the perfect solution for custom logic. Off-the-shelf chips will come and go, but HDLs and re-programmable chips will always be available. I would have loved to help out with the video system, but I was too busy when the initial announcement was made, and I had enough of a struggle making a simple 80x60 pixel display controller for my coursework. It looks like you've got a solid team for this, and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

It's coming along nicely! Looking forward to tinker with the more musical aspects of it down the line. :)

Unbelievable how much time, effort and love is being put into this. And not only that, it's happening right in front of our eyes !

I wonder what happened to his dream computer project, we haven't had an update for so long

Dude that FM chip would be so freaking amazing. I would die a happy man if that actually pans out.

When this computer releases, maybe you should make Planet X4 for it (or maybe call it Planet X16 :P ). I know you probably won't do that, though, so a Planet X3 port would be cool, too.

Case color? Why beige of course. Can't have retro without beige.

So, not to be rude or anything, but when should we expect the next update? Edit: this is the first time i got over 150 likes. C: Also, a suggestion: there's this TI chip, the TL16C552AFN, it gives your computer 2 serial ports and a parallel port at the same time, and just like the TI-80 series, it's still manufactured for some reason.

Last time I complained about the videos not being longer and there I have it, a 44 minutes long video. The 8-Bit "god" answered my prayers. This is an amazing Project I would like to point out. Your Dream Computer is actually a lot of people's dream computer, for sure, and the fact that you are being so open with the development, the design and with the software and all of this will bring a lot of people into it. Keep it up. I certainly won't buy the first one because I'm not so much into modding and hacking and daughter boards and so on. But I would certainly buy the Raspberry PI sized one (I hope it will come out eventually). Once again great project and thanks a lot for the long and certainly entertaining video.

It's too bad you're using Facebook as a hub for everything. A lot of people especially retro techs don't use Facebook.

I have always wanted to get into old computers and code, but all of my options felt daunting, overwhelming. This? This looks incredible, as a diving board into a dream hobby, I'm super excited to see more of this. Also Facebook sucks, please pick a different website

i took a class in community college about computer programming flucked the hell out of that class cuz Everything flew over my head, but i can tell what your going after, and I agree the way that games are made now, everything is just pre-made and pre-packaged the closer people get to machine language, the better, because it forces you to think differently and therefore forces more character in games anyway, i like the premise of the project hope it keeps going

I really wish the case and keyboard were one unit like all the classic 8-bit machines.

Its the limitations of old computers that give them their magic. Don't go mad on features and then when someone creates something amazing it will be truly impressive, like that C64 game you showed in this video for example. My first thought was why not just use an FPGA but then I realised what I just said above, its too easy to go nuts as they're so flexible and powerful and also original chips have a certain magic themselves too. Good luck, I'm tempted to get one myself.

Commander x16 coming Atari box coming Intellevision coming The c64 coming HISTORY IS REPEATING ITSELF 2023 VIDEO GAME CRASH COMING

I'm super excited about having TWO layers. For me that really brings it into the NES level of game development. Nice job David and X16 team!

@The 8-Bit Guy - Glad you're still considering the 65C816 (with the same memory map) to get the benefits of the 16bit ALU etc. It would also mean the X16 name remains appropriate (otherwise it should probably be renamed Commander X65). The perfect CPU would've been the 65C802 it seems. But in it's absence, I do still hope you seriously consider the 65C816 (but with 16bit address space). This may be useful / of interest: sbc.rictor.org/support/conv.html :-)

I had just watched part 1 of this series when I realized that part 2 came out just a week ago. I'm so excited about this project that I could have watched you guys talk about it for much much longer! The X16 opens up sooo many possibilities to continue where we left off in the 80s/90s and go way beyond that. My first computer was a C64 and I still have it. A bout of 8-bit nostalgia hit me a couple of weeks ago and I've basically been watching your videos non-stop since. I can't wait to see this project becoming a reality. I'm excited for myself and especially for my kids who will be able to experience what it was like for us back in the days. I really hope this project and others similar to it will be the start of a whole new/old 8-bit era. So keep up the good work guys and thanks for all you've done so far!

And as we all know, PCB is short for Prototype Commander 16 Board. Nice one PCBWay!

That logo is killer. I love it. You should have a case with a tiny amount of RGB for the logo or strip - not too much so it isn't TOO fast... ;)

It is nice to see another platform that is newer and people can program games for. Lets face it, not everyone is able to get a hold of older hardware. This is a dream machine that is slowly coming true. I truly enjoy David starting a project and providing inspiration and seeing others come in and they work together to make it a reality. Judging by these videos and his past games, David does not seem like one to put his name on garbage- it will become a quality product (which would sell big if it was done in the 80s).

2MB of RAM and 16bit CPU... I smell DooM being ported ;)

44 minutes, thanks for nice evening! :) Regards from Poland

The "X" in Commander X16 means Cross-Platform!

I noticed the RU-vid trophies, and then noticed you’re almost to 1mil subs! Hope you get there, this channel deserves the attention!

After seeing the "Mario" screen, I was expecting the "Mode 7" to show something resembling Mario Kart or Pilot Wings!

New 8-Bit Guy video? almost 45 minutes long? [Grabs beer and popcorn]... Let's do this.

Really cool Project, David. Good Luck. This Computer is basically the Result of the actual VIC 20 Devs having a Wet Dream back in the day.

Hi David, congratulations! I really liked the video and I would just give you my point of view on some aspects: 1) Vera addressing seems to be in high/low byte as opposed to 6502 2) For a real retro feeling edition I'd like a version (hoping the cheaper one :) ) with the keyboard integrated in the case like C64 or A500 2a) For the same feeling an integrated HDMI port would be great allowing to connect the computer to a modern TV 3) 8Mhz should be enough for anybody :) but it would be cool to run at full 14Mhz default 6502 speed 4) Because you have alredy choose to go in fpga with Vera chip, problably the best choice for the audio chip is to use the same FPGA. Anyway I wonder if the code will be open source 5) Please don't use nes/snes joustick data bus. The best thing about using the Atari DB9 port is the ease to use a button, microswitch or whatever to give an input to the machine. That DB9 port could in teory support 4 directions and 3 buttons, one standard as C64 and other two mapped in the X and Y axes of paddle pins (in teory it could use more buttons multiplexing with some resistors). It would be cool if paddles could be used too even if in this case we can have a single button (or maybe more than one using one or more joystick directions)

23:40 And then i'm going to give it a Doug Score.

I just got flashbacks of Sony Vegas cracks at 19:25

This project is giving me gleeful butterflies in my stomach! I love love love the whole endeavour! I miss the old days when I felt I had control over my machine - and was responsible if I "bricked" it (I started with an HP Vectra, and GWBasic)

13:42 "This is far more than I really ever even wanted for the system, but the main thing is it works." -NASA on Spirit & Opportunity

Progress is progress. I'm liking how this is coming along. I'd definitely be in for a dev kit version.

Oh, there's an emulator for it! That might be enough to motivate me to write some code for it.

Wow, kudos to the entire team, looks like the project is rolling along nicely! Watching the description of the memory map, bank switching and video memory reminds me of my plans to add a 3-D viewer to my Apple ][+, using 6845 chips and surplus camcorder viewfinders from Gateway Electronics in St. Louis. Never got very far with it, but I learned a lot along the way. Best of luck, guys, keep up the good work!

Hey David, please consider using a Yamaha YM2608! It has 6 channel, 4-OP FM, an on-board AY-3, a sample channel, and 6 drum sounds!

Yes, spiral bound was so much easier to follow along beside the keyboard.

24:26 A barrel jack? Maybe I should try and power the X16 (when it releases fully) using just a 9 volt battery.

I was sold when the dog put his paw on his shoulder. I’ll buy anything if there’s a good boi in the video.

David: “just over 14 megahertz” Subtitles: “just over 17 megahertz” somebody was drunk today

The X16 mock-up case and keyboard designs look amazing.

I love this intro. It makes me feel like I'm watching an 80's or early 90's sitcom. All the other music you provide us with is great too, my favourite is "Derivation of cleam". Your channel popped up on my recommended list about a year ago and I've been watching ever since. Thank you for the awesome content and congratulations on 1 Million Subscribers. Here's to a million more! Matt

Gah. David. Please do subreddits instead. Facebook is just the worst. Blocked by my Pi-Hole and that's not going to change.

As a big, big fan of the YM2612 (I'm one of the co-founders of Project2612), I'd totally support going for the YM2151, especially if you pair it up with a YM3012 or YM3014 for stereo/monophonic DAC. The MSX has some seriously amazing tunes written for its games (for a good example, listen to Motoi Sakuraba rock out with Granada: ru-vid.com/group/PLE71CE8AF98288202 ), and all that was was a YM2151, YM3012, and an Oki MSM6258 - it was good enough for a nearly flawless conversion of the Street Fighter II arcade soundtrack, and indeed, Capcom used the X68000 as an arcade development board for the CPS1! To me, the Commander X16 owes itself to priding itself on sound, because the SID was such a big part of the Commodore 64's success in that regard. I think it'll work just fine, by the way, since X68000 machines ran from 10-25 MHz generally, with upgrades well into the 75 MHz range.

Arg! I'm not on Facebook. Please at least make the Facebook group publically readable, and not closed.

Well done! I especially enjoy the design elements by Parifractic! The Logo is perfect! The technical specs too are awesome. All good wishes.

I dig the fact that the new logo font is straight out of Mass Effect. The "Commander Shepherd X16", lol.

45 minute vid! Whoo! Cant wait for this to progress further. To combat feature creep, leave sockets for things or blank solder points so these things could be added by those who may want it.

I'm picking my jaw up from the floor, great work on your design. This channel will make me drop what I am doing when I see a new video posted. So cool! Thank you for posting.

This is an inspiring project. I know nothing about this level of computing and computer engineering, but I'm fascinated!

You need a reseller in europe. I need all three stages, but buying hardware in germany from US is a annoying process.

Oh... another thing: one of the first C64 things I did was test how much slower BASIC was than machine language. I wrote a BASIC program that went in a loop, placing a random char into screen RAM, then putting a random color attribute on by POKEing color RAM, then after all 1000 were done, changing the border to a random color, then going back to the start after polling the keyboard (so I could quit). RUNning it produced the expected output at a leisurely pace (I estimate one line of 40 per second). I wrote the same thing in machine language with the help of SUPERMON, using SID to produce the random values. When I ran that, as soon as I pressed RETURN, I was amazed by how utterly slow BASIC was in comparison. I only eyeballed it, but my machine code did an entire screen in roughly the time BASIC did one character! It's literally 1000 times faster unless my eyeballs are tricking me. I wonder where the slowdown is. Applesoft on the Apple II is a variant of the BASIC CBM shipped on the C64 (they even left in the two FAC-sized "numbers" that produced the "MICROSOFT!" text), and even that isn't as slow. Maybe there's loads of overhead in KERNAL I don't know about...

How to design a computer: 1. Have a big RU-vid channel 2. Announce your project 3. Let the fans design the computer for you

This is one of the most exciting things I've seen on RU-vid.

@34:23 "It looks, obviously, very reminiscent of Mario". I mean, that's one way of putting it, lol.

Beautiful! You make really excellent choices for your design and specs! I can't wait to see the final product. All good wishes.

*gleefully eyes X16 port of doom* so you're saying there is a chance

This is such a cool project - really hope you can bring it to market. Would love to use this with my young son. I think the $50 price point is v ambitious and I would be prepared to pay significantly more than that for this product.

So excited about this. I would gladly pay $200 to $300 for step one in a diy kit

Wow... What an amazing world we live in where a team of determined people can build a computer of their own design. This is an incredible project. I;m excited to see it come fully to life.

The Commander X16 group is currently closed and you can't read the posts on it unless you join it :/

Me, as Mainframer, playing with JCL, COBOL and such, appreciate seeing your videos, it makes easier to get how a cpu works, how a memmory work and I do want to watch your channel all the time. Good job you've done here! I remember being in Plano, TX and seeing all those machines at EDS back in the 2000's and I can't help myself but think you are a person whowould appreciate that too (sorry the bad english, not native)

The light grey case and keyboard combo looks incredible and clean.

Just wanted to say that when you you idea I wasn't that enthused. But now that I've seen what you guys are doing I am. Keep it up and if you provide it in a kit form, I'll buy one.

That opening song always give me nostalgic feeling. It remind me of old education tv show

11:10 Instead of having "Auto increment" flag, how about using the value as signed 8-bit value, and adding that to address. This would make it possible to move COLUMN of data instead of normal ROW of data available with plain flag. And using signed value enables both increase and decrease.

Man, having sprites AND layers is going to permit some DAMN fine graphics.