Intel MCS-85 Kit - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 01:21:15 am
content: Yay or nay.I know my answer

author: bsudbrink
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 01:22:23 am
content: I really enjoyed building mine a few years ago.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 01:23:44 am
content: We had one of those that never came out of its box, as we decided to go with a different MPU. I wonder what became of it?

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 02:42:05 am
content: A toy isn't a toy unless you can play with it!

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 03:56:35 am
content: Intel should re-release these kits. With things like the (S)NES Mini, C64 Mini, it's time for an old toy to be brought back for electronics/computing hobbyists.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 06:32:32 am
content: Meh. The 8085 was a fairly crummy CPU that 'missed the boat', and Intel's SDK-85 / MCS-85 board was a very much under-powered trainer for it. Its niche was CP/M systems and the Z80 wiped it out in the marketplace. Also, who wants to have to mess around with its multiplexed address/data bus?As there are people willing to pay silly money for the kit in unbuilt condition, unless Dave's got a project in mind for it that he'll get several videos out of + a lasting interest in the 8085, its better left in its box, rather than halving its value or worse by assembling it.Personally I'd far rather see Dave's take on the design and build of an 8051, 6502, Z80, or 68000 based development system, (all processors that have left a lasting legacy in the embedded systems market) and followup on setting up the required legacy toolchain, debugging options and hands-on interfacing.

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 08:10:30 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on April 06, 2018, 06:32:32 am+1Recently I've been playing with MCS-48 which is a dogs breakfast of an architecture but quite fun from a crusty point of view. Z80A (and 6502) have vintage nostalgia attached so a sure winner. I was fortunate enough that the department at University got a sponsorship from Motorola so they threw 68000s at us.I'd watch a EEVBLOG 8085 kit assembly video though.(Seems 8085 architecture is still taught in India... bizarre)

author: medical-nerd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 08:11:46 am
content: HiyaI used to drool over the adverts for these as a kid. Damn I still do.Give/sell it to someone with a piece of childhood waiting to be fulfilled!!Cheers

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 12:55:02 pm
content: I always wanted one of those. Maybe not enough to keep an active search or I'd probably have one. There are new retro kits for systems similar to my first computer but I've always passed, mainly because I've done that one already, still have it, the sucker still works, although I'm wondering if I should be trusting that giant Mallory cap in the power supply.At one point I did have some 8085 stuff. In fact I might have a CPU in my stash somewhere.As for building it or keeping the kit mint - I will say that in neither of my main hobbies, model trains or electronics, am I a collector. I don't buy things to sit on shelves to look pretty, I buy them to use. Life's too short for shelf queens. Absolutely no problem with opening it up and assembling it.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 01:01:51 pm
content: Quote from: Ian.M on April 06, 2018, 06:32:32 amZilog would have been ecstatic if they'd achieved the volumes that Intel achieved with the 8085. Even most CP/M systems used the 8085. Very little CP/M software ever used the expanded instruction set of the Z80, because it would have been unsaleable if it didn't run on an 8085.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 01:06:32 pm
content: Only if you can do better than him:

author: Bruce Abbott
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2018, 02:18:56 am
content: Quote from: coppice on April 06, 2018, 01:01:51 pmSome computers with Z80 CPU and CP/M:-Amstrad CPC series~3 million soldAmstrad PCW series~8 million soldCommodore 1285.7 million soldOther Z80 based computers:-ZX Spectrum~5 million soldMSX5 million sold in Japan aloneZ80 CPU: notable uses:-Quote

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2018, 07:30:19 am
content: defo needs to be built!not making it is like having a car and never driving it to keep it in showroom condition

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2018, 05:10:46 pm
content: The Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 and other associated computers also use the 8085. The block diagram is very similar to the system architecture of it.What I see in that kit:The keys! Look at the sculpting and the font! How lovely! Why can't anyone do style like that anymore?