AMD Radeon Powers Cyberpunk 2077 on Laptop
▼ Summary
– The creator built a cyberpunk-style device but calls it a laptop, despite its all-in-one form factor with a built-in laser projection keyboard.
– The project’s most notable component is an open-source graphics card designed to drive 10-inch electroluminescent (EL) displays, which are rare due to cost and driving complexity.
– This custom graphics card uses a PCI interface and the CHIPS65548/5 chip, offering driver support for Linux and Windows, though the creator demonstrates it with Windows 2000.
– The same EL display and graphics card were also used to build a giant-scale Game Boy, with the screen’s glow being well-suited for retro games.
– The article notes that a previous project involving an EL display also required building a custom driver board.
A custom-built laptop inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics is capturing attention, not for its unconventional form factor resembling an all-in-one PC with a laser-projection keyboard, but for its unique internal hardware. The creator, LCLDIY, has developed a specialized open-source graphics card designed to power the device’s 10-inch electroluminescent (EL) displays. These screens are prized for their distinctive, captivating glow, yet they remain relatively uncommon due to their typically high cost and the technical challenge of driving them without proprietary hardware. This project directly addresses the latter hurdle by providing a documented, accessible solution.
While the system’s cash-register motherboard adds a layer of hacker charm, the real technical achievement is the custom PCI graphics card. Based on the CHIPS65548/5 chip, the card should have driver support for both Linux and Windows operating systems, offering flexibility despite the builder’s apparent preference for Windows 2000. For modern systems, the card would require a PCI to PCIe adapter, a practical workaround that preserves the core open-source design.
The project’s utility extends beyond this single cyberpunk-inspired machine. LCLDIY also demonstrated the same graphics card and EL screen in a giant-scale Game Boy build. The screen’s soft, diffuse illumination proves exceptionally well-suited for retro, low-resolution games, producing a visual character somewhat reminiscent of a classic CRT monitor. This dual application highlights the card’s versatility for niche display projects.
Driving EL panels often demands custom electronics, as evidenced by previous community projects where builders had to create driver boards from scratch. By open-sourcing a functional graphics card design for these unique displays, this work provides a valuable resource for other makers and enthusiasts looking to incorporate vintage EL screen technology into their own creative builds.
(Source: Hackaday)