SMRTR TechJun 18, 2026Hacker News

Guide to the TD4 4-bit DIY CPU

SMRTR summary

The TD4 is a tiny 4-bit DIY CPU kit from AliExpress that teaches core computer architecture concepts through hands-on building and programming. It features just two registers, 16 bytes of program ROM made from physical dip switches, and a small instruction set including ADD, MOV, JMP, and JNC. Despite its limitations, the kit can run programs like counting sequences and blinking LEDs, making it a practical introduction to how CPUs actually work at the hardware level.

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