I’m working on a project to rebuild an Amstrad CPC 464. The empty shell i have is in good condition (besides some yellowing) but missing a motherboard. I’m designing a custom motherboard that uses a BTT CB1 System on Module (SOM). The goal is to fit modern hardware into this vintage computer case.

The original Amstrad CPC 464 used cassette-based storage, and since the shell came with one i might try to get it to work with the new motherboard. The BTT CB1 SOM has a quad-core ARM processor (allwinner H616), with some pretty good I/O and a CM4 form factor. I need to ensure that the custom motherboard I design will fit within the dimensions of the original case, but the amstrad community has been quite helpful for that and has helped me create mechanical drawings for the original 464.

The pcb design has advanced quite well and it’s a two part design (to lower costs due to pcb size [the original pcb is over 40 cm long…]):

This is the CM side board (still very much WIP)

Update

I finished this project, the final pcb and assembly: ( i did hit a few snags with my “inventive” removable storage solution, so i had to air-wire it, but everything works so far, it’s useable as a computer.)

The keyboard works with this little contraption made from one of my Piconaut boards: