You can build a computer that runs ZX Spectrum software in three distinct ways: prototype a Spectrum-style system around a Raspberry Pi Pico, assemble a published FPGA clone design, or build from an open-hardware Spectrum Next-style design. They differ in fidelity, electronics work, sourcing, and modern features. Choose the target before buying parts: the Pico project is designed for accessible prototyping but says it is “not a highly accurate emulation,” while FPGA designs recreate more of the original machine’s hardware behavior.
Decide what “from scratch” means for your build
“From scratch” can mean anything from wiring a small development board on a breadboard to assembling a custom computer board from individual components. Those approaches do not produce the same kind of machine.
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- A Spectrum-style recreation: Use a Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 and project-specific connections to run Spectrum software. This is the most approachable starting point for prototyping, but it is not a highly accurate emulation, according to the project documentation.
- An FPGA clone: Use programmable logic to recreate the Spectrum’s hardware. Published designs range from custom boards with a specified FPGA and supporting components to designs combining an FPGA with a real Z80 processor.
- An open-hardware modern-compatible machine: Follow a Spectrum Next-style design. FPGA gateware recreates the Z80 and other components, while modern outputs and storage make the result more practical with current equipment. It is not a literal copy of the original board.
Your choice depends on whether you value accessible assembly, hardware fidelity, modern connectivity, or the challenge of sourcing and assembling a board-level design.
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| Route | What it is suited to | Hardware and assembly | Video, input, and storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pico recreation | Low-barrier prototype that runs Spectrum software | Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040, with breadboard and community-board configurations documented by the project | Documented options include VGA, HDMI/DVI, or LCD video; USB or PS/2 keyboard; joystick; Spectrum audio; tape input; and TAP/TZX or snapshot loading |
| ZX-Uno-style FPGA clone | Board-level FPGA design with a published hardware specification | Xilinx Spartan XC6SLX9 FPGA, static RAM, SPI flash, and a 50MHz oscillator, among other parts | AD724-based video circuit, RCA composite output, PS/2 keyboard, audio, SD card slot, and expansion port |
| Spectrum Next-style open hardware | FPGA-based Spectrum-compatible system with modern extensions | FPGA gateware recreates the Z80 and other components | HDMI and VGA, SD storage, and a reported 1MB RAM configuration expandable to 2MB |
The table describes documented project capabilities, not a guarantee that parts are currently in stock or that a design can be assembled from a ready-made kit.
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Build a Pico-based prototype
The pico-zxspectrum project is the clearest option if you want to start with a small development board rather than design or populate a custom computer board. Its documentation covers breadboard and prototype builds, several video methods, keyboard and joystick input, audio, tape input, and loading TAP/TZX files or snapshots. The project maintainer describes it as “not a highly accurate emulation,” so treat it as an accessible Spectrum-style recreation rather than an exact hardware clone.
Plan around the exact board and firmware target
There is no single canonical parts list in the project information described here: it includes community boards and different breadboard configurations. Pick a documented configuration first, then follow its wiring and firmware instructions rather than combining parts or connections from different builds.
- Choose the Pico and documented configuration. Confirm that the board and wiring match the project instructions for the build you intend to make.
- Select the display method. The project identifies VGA, HDMI/DVI, and LCD options. Use the connections and firmware target specified for your chosen method.
- Choose keyboard and optional controls. Documented input options include USB or PS/2 keyboards and joystick input. Check compatibility with the specific configuration before wiring.
- Follow the documented firmware-transfer procedure. The project describes transferring UF2 firmware. Use the instructions for the selected board and target.
- Add audio and software loading as supported by that configuration. The project lists Spectrum audio, tape input, and TAP/TZX or snapshot loading; verify the relevant connections and supported features in the build documentation.
This route limits the need to assemble a full custom computer from discrete components, but it does not remove the need to match wiring, peripherals, and firmware to one documented build.
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What an FPGA clone board involves
ZX-Uno’s published specification shows the breadth of a board-level FPGA build. Its listed design includes a Xilinx Spartan XC6SLX9 FPGA, static RAM, SPI flash, a 50MHz oscillator, an AD724-based video circuit, a PS/2 keyboard interface, RCA composite output, audio, an SD card slot, and an expansion port, along with passive components.
This is more than selecting an FPGA: memory, clocking, video, input, storage, power, and board connections all form part of the design. A parts list tied to a specific board revision is a starting point, not proof that every listed component remains readily available or that a substitute will work without engineering changes.
A real-Z80-plus-FPGA alternative
Sizif-XXS takes a different approach by combining a real Z80 processor with an Altera FPGA. Its documented modes include Spectrum 48, 128, +3e, and Pentagon; it also describes 512K RAM, SD storage, and PAL output. This is a useful distinction when choosing a design: an FPGA clone may recreate the processor in programmable logic, or it may retain a physical Z80 while using programmable logic for other functions.
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What changes with a Spectrum Next-style build
The Spectrum Next uses FPGA gateware to functionally recreate the Z80 and other machine components. Raspberry Pi Official Magazine describes this as more than an emulator, explaining that the FPGA cores recreate original chips. The magazine also reports HDMI and VGA output, SD storage, and a 1MB RAM configuration expandable to 2MB, alongside compatibility with original media and many original hardware and software items.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThose additions make the Next a modern-compatible platform rather than a stock 48K Spectrum board. The SpecNext Wiki describes the design as open hardware and covers cloning the hardware or porting its core to other platforms; it names N-Go and Xberry Pi among related hardware projects. Choose this route if you want the open-hardware and modern-connectivity approach, not if your defining requirement is to reproduce the original board exactly.
Set compatibility and connection requirements before ordering
Compatibility is not a single yes-or-no property. It depends on the project and its implementation, so decide which software, media, displays, and peripherals matter to you before settling on hardware.
- Software and media: The Pico project documents TAP/TZX and snapshot loading, as well as tape input. The Next source describes compatibility with original media and many original software items. Confirm a particular title or loading method against the chosen project documentation.
- Display: Pico configurations include VGA, HDMI/DVI, and LCD options; ZX-Uno’s specification lists RCA composite output; the Next source reports HDMI and VGA. Check which output your display can accept and what the specific design requires.
- Keyboard and controls: Pico documentation lists USB or PS/2 keyboard options and joystick input; ZX-Uno lists a PS/2 keyboard interface. Do not assume an input device works across different projects.
- Storage and expansion: Project options include tape or file loading on the Pico, an SD card slot and expansion port on ZX-Uno, and SD storage on the Next. Match the storage method to the software and workflow you want.
- Fidelity: If close recreation of original hardware behavior is the priority, compare the FPGA design’s stated approach and compatibility documentation with the Pico project’s explicit accuracy qualification.
Use a revision-specific sourcing checklist
Custom-board parts are design-dependent. Before ordering components for an FPGA or open-hardware build, work from the exact design documentation and revision you intend to assemble.
Quick Recap
- Lock the design name and board revision; do not mix component lists from different revisions.
- Check every component against that revision’s specification, including package, memory, oscillator, video circuitry, connectors, and passive components.
- Verify power and voltage requirements as well as connector types and pinouts for the board and its peripherals.
- Confirm the intended display, keyboard, storage, and expansion connections against the design documentation.
- Only then source the parts. Treat substitutions as design changes unless the project documentation explicitly supports them.
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