Are you a fan of vintage computing or simply curious about the roots of modern technology? Building a retro computer like the PC-Kharon-386 can be a rewarding experience, blending nostalgia with hands-on learning. This guide will take you through the process of assembling your own PC-Kharon-386, a tribute to the classic 386 architecture that laid the groundwork for today’s powerful systems.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theretrohacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/3-Medium.jpeg?resize=640%2C301&ssl=1)
In this blog post, I will cover everything you need to know—from sourcing components to assembly tips. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or a newcomer to retro hardware, this guide will help you create a piece of computing history that’s both functional and fun to use. Let’s dive into the world of vintage PCs and bring a piece of the past back to life!
Bill of Materials
The table below lists the components needed to build the computer, along with links to purchase each item. Please note that I do not endorse any of these sellers; the links are provided solely for your convenience.
Main PCB
Reference | Value | Description | Qty | Link |
BT1 | 1775485-1 or S8401-46 | 3V Button Battery Base 2032 Direct-Inserted Battery Box | 1 | AliExpress |
C1, C5, C59, C60, C61, C62 | 10uF | 0805 10uF Ceramic Capacitor (106) | 6 | AliExpress |
C2 | 47uF | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case B 16V 47uF (476C) | 1 | AliExpress |
C3 | 220pF | 0603 220pF Ceramic Capacitor (221) | 1 | |
C4 | 2.2uF | 0805 2.2uF Ceramic Capacitor (225) | 1 | AliExpress |
C48, C49, C50, C51, C52, C53, C54, C55, C56, C57, C58 | 1uF | 0603 1uF Ceramic Capacitor (105) | 11 | AliExpress |
C6 | 220uF | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case D 10V 220uF | 1 | AliExpress |
C63, C64, C65, C66 | 47pF | 0603 47pF Ceramic Capacitor (470) | 4 | AliExpress |
C67, C72 | 10nF | 0603 10nF Ceramic Capacitor (103) | 2 | AliExpress |
C68, C69 | 15pF | 0603 15pF Ceramic Capacitor (150) | 2 | AliExpress |
C10, C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C27, C28, C29, C30, C31, C32, C33, C34, C35, C36, C37, C38, C39, C40, C41, C42, C43, C44, C45, C46, C47, C7 | 100nF | 0603 100nF Ceramic Capacitor (104) | 39 | AliExpress |
C70, C71 | 22pF | 0603 22pF Ceramic Capacitor (220) | 2 | AliExpress |
C73, C74 | 10uF | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case B 16V 10uF (106C) | 2 | AliExpress |
C8 | 100nF | 0805 100nF Ceramic Capacitor (104) | 1 | AliExpress |
C9 | 1uF | 0805 1uF Ceramic Capacitor (105) | 1 | AliExpress |
CON1 | 3-1734451-1 | CF Card Slot | 1 | AliExpress |
D1, D5, D6 | MBR0520 | MBR0520 SOD-123 SMD Schottky diode | 3 | AliExpress |
D2 | BAT54C | SOT-23 SMD Transistor | 1 | AliExpress |
D3 | BZV55C5V6 | Zener Diode | 1 | AliExpress |
D4 | BT168GW | Encapsulated SOT223 thyristor | 1 | AliExpress |
D7 | Blue | Led 3mm PTH Blue Rounded | 1 | AliExpress |
D8 | Red | Led 3mm PTH RedRounded | 1 | AliExpress |
D9 | Green | Led 3mm PTH Green Rounded | 1 | AliExpress |
F1 | 2A | SMD Resettable Fuse PPTC Self-Recovery Fuse | 1 | AliExpress |
J1 | MicroUSB | Micro USB connector 5pin seat Jack Micro usb Four legs 5P Inserting plate seat Mini usb connector | 1 | AliExpress |
J8, J10 | COM1, COM2 | Double Pin Header 2.54 2×5 | 2 | AliExpress |
J11 | Single Pin Header 2.54 1×4 | 1 | ||
J12 | ESPP | Double Pin Header 2.54 2×5 | 1 | AliExpress |
J2 | PC104_16 | Double Pin Socket 2.54 2×20 | 1 | AliExpress |
J3 | PC104 | Double Pin Socket 2.54 2×32 | 1 | AliExpress |
J4 | PJ-320 | PJ320 3.5MM Headphone Audio Interface Jack SMD | 1 | AliExpress |
J5 | Female Double Pin Header 2.54 2×8 | 1 | AliExpress | |
J6 | VGA | DH15 DR15 VGA Adapter Socket 3Rows Blue Parallel Port 15 Pin D Sub 15 Way PCB 90 Degree Female Connector | 1 | AliExpress |
J7, J9 | Mini DIN-6 | Mini DIN 6P black socket 6-pin Connector | 2 | AliExpress |
L1 | 10uH | 10uH SMD Inductor | 1 | AliExpress |
LS1 | Buzzer | 5v Buzzer Magnetic Long Continous Beep Tone Universal buzzer 12×8.5mm | 1 | AliExpress |
Q1, Q3 | BC856 | SOT-23 Transistor | 2 | AliExpress |
Q2 | BC817 | SOT-23 Transistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R1 | 117KR(!) | 0603 Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R16 | 10MR | 0603 Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R17, R18, R19 | 470R | 0603 Resistor | 3 | AliExpress |
R10, R13, R14, R15, R2, R9 | 4.7KR | 0603 Resistor | 6 | AliExpress |
R20 | 33R | 0603 Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R22 | 5.6KR | 0603 Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R3 | 51KR | 0603 Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R21, R24, R4 | 1KR | 0603 Resistor | 3 | AliExpress |
R5 | 13KR | 0603 Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R11, R12, R6 | 22R | 0603 Resistor | 3 | AliExpress |
R23, R25, R26, R27, R7 | 10KR | 0603 Resistor | 5 | AliExpress |
R8 | 0R | 0603 Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
RN1, RN2, RN3, RN6 | 4.7KR | 0603*4 8P4R 2*4P Network Resistor SMD | 4 | AliExpress |
RN4, RN5 | 330R | 0603*4 8P4R 2*4P Network Resistor SMD | 2 | AliExpress |
RN7 | 1KR | 0603*4 8P4R 2*4P Network Resistor SMD | 1 | AliExpress |
SW1 | Single Male Pin Header 2.54 1×2 | 1 | AliExpress | |
SW2 | Right Angle Mounting Tactile Tact Switch SPST | 1 | AliExpress | |
SW3 | Slide Type DIP Switch Module 1Pin Position Way 2.54mm Pitch Red Toggle Switch Snap Switch Dial Switch | 1 | AliExpress | |
U1 | 1117-3.3V | SOT-223 LOW DROPOUT VOLTAGE REGULATOR (3.3V) | 1 | AliExpress |
U10 | ST16C554D | 16C554 TQFP64 Quad UART with 16-Byte FIFO | 1 | AliExpress |
U12, U13 | MSM5118160F-JS | SOJ-42 Memory | 2 | AliExpress |
U14 | 39SF040 | PLCC32 4 Megabit (512K x 8) Multi-Purpose Flash | 1 | AliExpress |
U15 | TXS0104PW | TSSOP-14 Four-bit bidirectional voltage-level shifter for open-drain and push-pull applications | 1 | AliExpress |
U16 | ESP-12F | ESP12F – Low cost/Low power WI-FI/BL module for IOT | 1 | AliExpress |
U17 | ICL7660A | SOIC8 Voltage Converter IC | 1 | AliExpress |
U18, U19 | IP4220CZ6 | TSOP-6 Dual USB 2.0 integrated ESD protection IC | 2 | AliExpress |
U2 | LMR62014 | SOT-23-5 SIMPLE SWITCHER 2.7V to 14V, 1.4A Step-Up Regulator in SOT-23 Package 5-SOT-23 -40 to 125 | 1 | AliExpress |
U3 | MAX809LEUR | IC SUPERVISOR 1 CHANNEL SOT23-3 | 1 | AliExpress |
U4 | M6117D | PQFP-208 low-power, integrated single-chip processor based on the Intel 386 architecture for embedded systems | 1 | AliExpress |
U5 | 74HCT32PW | TSSOP Quadruple 2-Input Positive-OR Gates | 1 | AliExpress |
U6, U7 | 74HCT138PW | TSSOP 3-Line To 8-Line Decoders/Demultiplexers | 2 | AliExpress |
U11, U8 | GD75232PW | TSSOP-20 5-V multichannel 120kbps RS-232 line driver/receiver with +/-7.5V output & +/-1.5-kV ESD protection | 2 | AliExpress |
U9 | CH340G | SOIC-16 USB to Serial IC | 1 | AliExpress |
X1 | 14.318 MHz | SMD 7050 Active Crystal Oscillator | 1 | AliExpress |
X2 | 80 MHz | SMD 7050 Active Crystal Oscillator | 1 | AliExpress |
X3 | 1.8432 Mhz | SMD 7050 Active Crystal Oscillator | 1 | AliExpress |
Y1 | 32.768 KHz | 32.768 KHz SMD Passive Crystal Oscillator ± 20ppm 12.5Pf 8.0*3.2 8.0×3.2 | 1 | AliExpress |
Y2 | 12 Mhz | 3225 4PIN 3.2*2.5mm 12MHZ Passive SMD Quartz Resonator Crystal | 1 | AliExpress |
Top PCB
Reference | Value | Description | Qty | Link |
C1, C11, C14, C30, C32, C33, C37, C43, C47, C48, C54, C55, C57, C58, C59, C60, C61, C62, C63, C64, C65, C66, C67, C68, C69, C70, C71, C72, C73 | 100nF | 0603 100nF Ceramic Capacitor (104) | 29 | AliExpress |
C10 | 47uF/6.3V | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case B 6.3V 47uF (476J) | 1 | AliExpress |
C12, C31, C34, C44 | 10uF | 0603 10uF Ceramic Capacitor (106) | 4 | AliExpress |
C13 | 10nF | 0603 10nF Ceramic Capacitor (103) | 1 | AliExpress |
C15, C21 | 47uF | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case B 16V 47uF (476C) | 2 | AliExpress |
C17, C19 | 1nF | 0603 1nF Ceramic Capacitor (102) | 2 | AliExpress |
C2 | 4.7nF | 0603 4.7nF Ceramic Capacitor (472) | 1 | AliExpress |
C20, C24, C25, C38, C46, C50, C51, C52, C53 | 1uF | 0603 1uF Ceramic Capacitor (105) | 9 | AliExpress |
C28 | 100pF | 0603 100pF Ceramic Capacitor (101) | 1 | AliExpress |
C16, C18, C3, C4, C5, C6 | 220nF | 0603 220nF Ceramic Capacitor | 6 | AliExpress |
C35, C36 | 22pF | 0603 22pF Ceramic Capacitor | 2 | AliExpress |
C39, C40, C42, C45, C49 | 10uF | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case A 10V 10UF 106A | 5 | AliExpress |
C41 | 470pF | 0603 22pF Ceramic Capacitor (471) | 1 | AliExpress |
C56 | 100uF | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case C 16V 100uF | 1 | AliExpress |
C22, C23, C26, C27, C29, C7, C8, C9 | 47pF | 0603 47pF Ceramic Capacitor (470) | 8 | AliExpress |
C74 | 100uF | Tantalum Capacitor SMD Case D 16V 100uF | 1 | AliExpress |
FB1, FB2, FB3, FB4, FB5, FB6 | 0805 Ferrite Bead | 6 | AliExpress | |
J1 | PJ-320 | PJ320 3.5MM Headphone Audio Interface Jack SMD | 1 | AliExpress |
J2 | Vol Btns | Double Pin Header 2.54 2×3 | 1 | AliExpress |
J3 | Double Pin Header 2.54 2×8 | 1 | AliExpress | |
J4 | ESP | Double Pin Socket 2.54 2×5 | 1 | AliExpress |
J5 | PC104_16 | Double Pin Socket 2.54 2×20 | 1 | AliExpress |
J6 | PC104 | Double Pin Socket 2.54 2×32 | 1 | AliExpress |
L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 | Ferrite Bead 330R 0805 1LN | 5 | AliExpress | |
L6 | 2.7uH | 2.7uH 0805 Inductor | 1 | AliExpress |
L7, L8, L9, L10 | 5.6uH | 1210 SMD High Frequency Wirewound Inductor 3225 5.6uH | 4 | AliExpress |
R1, R10, R12 | 47KR | 0603 47K Ohms Resistor | 3 | AliExpress |
R17, R18, R31, R32 | 33R | 0603 33R Ohms Resistor | 4 | AliExpress |
R19, R2, R21, R22, R23, R24, R25, R8 | 4.7KR | 0603 4.7K Ohms Resistor | 8 | AliExpress |
R20 | 100R | 0603 100 Ohms Resistor | 1 | AliExpress |
R26, R27, R29, R36 | 1KR | 0603 1K Ohms Resistor | 4 | AliExpress |
R3, R34, R4, R5 | 150R | 0603 150 Ohms Resistor | 4 | AliExpress |
R38, R40, R41 | 0R | 0603 0 Ohms Resistor | 3 | AliExpress |
R11, R13, R16, R28, R30, R33, R35, R6, R7, R9 | 10KR | 0603 10K Ohms Resistor | 10 | AliExpress |
SW1 | Slide Type DIP Switch Module 2Pin Position Way 2.54mm Pitch Red Toggle Switch Snap Switch Dial Switch | 1 | AliExpress | |
U1, U8 | 1117-5V | SOT-223 LOW DROPOUT VOLTAGE REGULATOR (5V) | 2 | AliExpress |
U11, U12, U13, U14 | MT4C4256 | DIP-20 256K X 4RAM(FAST PAGE MODE) | 4 | UTSource |
U2 | NE5532DR | DUAL LOW-NOISE OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER | 1 | AliExpress |
U3 | 74HCT138PW | TSSOP 3-Line To 8-Line Decoders/Demultiplexers | 1 | AliExpress |
U4 | ES1868F | OPL3 16-bit stereo sound and FM music synthesis SoC | 1 | AliExpress |
U5 | TVGA9000I | LOW COST VGA CONTROLLER | 1 | AliExpress |
U6 | SAM2695 | LOW POWER SINGLE CHIP SYNTHESIZER WITH EFFECTS AND BUILT-IN CODEC | 1 | AliExpress |
U7 | 27C512 | PLCC32 64K X 8 ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE EPROM | 1 | AliExpress |
U9 | 1117-3.3V | SOT-223 LOW DROPOUT VOLTAGE REGULATOR (3.3V) | 1 | AliExpress |
Y1 | 40 Mhz | 3225 4PIN 3.2*2.5mm 40MHZ Passive SMD Quartz Resonator Crystal | 1 | AliExpress |
Y2 | 12 Mhz | 3225 4PIN 3.2*2.5mm 12MHZ Passive SMD Quartz Resonator Crystal | 1 | AliExpress |
Building the PCBs
To begin building the PC-Kharon, follow these steps for assembling the PCBs:
Gather Materials:
- Ensure you have all necessary components listed in the BOM (Bill of Materials) documented above.
- Obtain quality PCBs from a trusted manufacturer using the provided Gerber files.
Prepare Your Workspace:
- Set up a clean, well-lit workspace with all necessary tools: soldering iron, multimeter, tweezers, and magnifying glass/microscope.
- Ensure proper ventilation for safety while soldering.
Soldering Components:
- Start with the smallest components like resistors and capacitors. Use the interactive BoM page available on GitHub to correctly place each component.
- Progress to larger components, such as ICs and connectors, ensuring correct orientation and placement.
- Double-check polarities and orientations before soldering to avoid errors.
Inspect and Test:
- After soldering each section, visually inspect for solder bridges or cold joints.
- Use a multimeter to test continuity and ensure proper connections.
Install the WiFi Module:
- Connect the WiFi module to COM4 as described in the documentation.
- Choose between Zimodem or ESP SLIP Router based on your network needs.
MIDI and Sound Mixer Configuration:
- Connect the MIDI synthesizer to the AUXB input of the ES1868F.
- Connect the PC speaker to the AUXA input.
- Adjust mixer settings to minimize noise by disabling unnecessary inputs.
Final Checks:
- Review the entire assembly for any overlooked steps.
- Power up the board and test all functionalities as outlined in the repository documentation.
Troubleshooting:
- Refer to the GitHub issues page or community forums for troubleshooting tips if you encounter any problems.
By carefully following these steps, you’ll successfully assemble and test your PC-Kharon PCBs. For further details, refer to the full documentation on the PC-Kharon GitHub repository.
Enclosure
The project was created to use G738 or G706 standard plastic enclosures. Those are not widely available in Brazil so I decided to print the model using my 3D printer and then assembly the PC.