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Neon816
Neon816 is an 8-bit/16-bit nostalgia MiniITX motherboard designed using modern parts to interface with contemporary peripherals.
Originally published by Lenore Byron on Hackaday.io
View original tutorial
How It Works
The Neon816 is a Mini-ITX retrocomputing motherboard built around a hybrid architecture combining a Western Design Center W65c816S CPU and a Lattice XP2 8000LUT FPGA. Power is supplied to the system via a standard ATX power supply, which converts AC mains electricity into the stable DC voltages required by the digital logic components. The W65c816S acts as the central processing unit, executing instructions while interacting with a memory subsystem comprising 1MB of main RAM, 512kB of Video RAM for graphics handling, and 128kB of Flash ROM containing the boot firmware. The Lattice FPGA plays a crucial role by managing glue logic, bridging the processor to modern peripherals, and generating digital video signals for a DVI-D or HDMI monitor. For persistent storage and user interaction, the system interfaces with an SD card module for data loading, a PS/2 keyboard, and classic Atari or Sega-style gamepads. Software execution is managed through a Neon firmware loader operating under Linux, allowing users to boot into a Forth OS image stored on the system. By integrating classic 8/16-bit architecture with modern display standards and storage interfaces, the hardware bridges vintage computing principles with contemporary hardware interfacing.
Why Build This
Gain hands-on undergraduate engineering experience in designing hybrid microprocessor and FPGA-based computer architectures.
Explore retrocomputing restoration and vintage gaming hardware development by interfacing legacy controllers with modern digital displays.
Develop practical competencies in low-level systems programming using a Forth operating system image and custom firmware loaders.
Real-World Application
Retrocomputing restoration, vintage gaming hardware development, and educational digital logic design.
Skills You'll Learn
FPGA configuration
CPU bus interfacing
memory subsystem design
DVI-D video signal generation
peripheral bus communication
firmware loading
power supply integration
Safety Precautions
No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.
Ready to build this?
We stock the boards, sensors and modules this project needs. A full parts list is coming soon — for now, browse our DIY Kits & components or search for Xilinx parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of power supply do I need for this motherboard?
The Neon816 is designed to be powered by a standard ATX power supply, which provides the necessary DC voltage rails for the digital logic and peripheral components.
How do I load and run software on the Neon816?
Software is managed using the Neon firmware loader running on Linux, which interfaces with an SD card module to load the Forth OS image into the system memory.
Can I connect this board to a modern computer monitor?
Yes, the onboard Lattice XP2 FPGA handles video generation to output a digital signal compatible with modern DVI-D and HDMI monitors.
Gallery
Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.
PRJ-00073