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XRX - eXperimental Research X

Another homebrew computer based on the MSX standard. But it uses a Z380 microprocessor.

marcellus-pereiraMarcellus Pereira
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The goal of this project is simple: to build a machine that is as compatible as possible with the MSX standard, using as many modern components as possible, but without resorting to an FPGA.

The story behind this project is an interesting one. For various reasons (some accidental, some not), I’ve lost it three times already. From floods that swept everything away to the theft of my CD collection (along with a box of floppy disks).

But this time the board is ready and, would you believe it, it’s up and running!

My idea is to have a computer almost as if it had been made in 1994, but using components that are still being manufactured. Unfortunately, the Z380 itself went out of production a few years ago, but as I had a few, I decided to go ahead anyway...

Here are some technical details:

- Zilog Z380 microprocessor

- 14.32 MHz maximum clock speed
- 8MB fast SDRAM
- 512kB Flash memory
- V9958 Video Display Processor
- Composite and S-video output
- AY-3-8912 Programmable Sound Generator
- Mono headphones output
- 2 joystick ports
- 2 MSX-compatible primary slots
- RTC emulated
- SD-Card
- IBM-PC compatible power connector
- mini-DTX board form-factor

080901.pdf

Microprocessor Report - July 11, 1994

Adobe Portable Document Format - 334.08 kB - 06/13/2026 at 21:17

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  • A bit of history...

    Marcellus Pereira • 2 hours ago • 0 comments

    ### Zilog Z380

    The Z380 was introduced to the American market in 1994 by Zilog as an extension (and instruction set compatible) of the successful Z80. However, it had already been shipping to Japanese customers for a year before that but unfortunately none of them were willing to use it in an MSX-compatible machine. 

    Here is a small table comparing the different Zilog processors at the time:

    Zilog's original documents mention speeds of up to 40MHz, but I could only find the 18MHz version. We will not discuss the Z382 version, even more difficult to find these days.

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