Forum: d0p3 BBS

beginner fpga suggestion

From fpaz@3:633/10 to All on Thu Oct 9 22:30:26 2025

hi, i do have some experience in some embedded projects and want to dip
my toes into fpgas.

like every beginner, i will start with a simple led blinking project
etc, but i would like to have the possibility to play with:

- pci dma (from a desktop)
- try to build a gameboy emulator (and later on a ps1 emulator)

don't want altera, which is what misterfpga uses.

i narrowed my choices and so far it seems i have two options:
- Puzhi FPGA Development Board Xilinx Kintex-7 XC7K325T XC7K410T FMC
PCIE 4K HDMI
- Sipeed Tang Mega 138K

which one would you pick? any other suggestions? budget is 500 usd max.
what concerns me about these two brands is the reliability.

since i am not an expert i expect things to work, and if there's a bug somewhere it must be from me / the code that i wrote, and not from the hardware - i read some have hardware problems.

what i would like it to have:
- pci slot (for that dma project, don't know yet, just want to try it)
- hdmi (makes playing / testing graphics easier)
- usbc

if you also think i should start with something small (tang 9k) and
later on upgrade just let me know, i came here to hear from the experts.

thanks in advance

--- PyGate Linux v1.0
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)