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Ask HN: A computer fully connected by USB C

2 points by pipeline_peak ↗ HN
Would it be possible to make computer where all the components are enclosed in big plastic boxes and connected to each other with usb c (cpu, hard drive, motherboard, etc)? This would make a really neat toy.

4 comments

[ 4.6 ms ] story [ 23.2 ms ] thread
stop50
Motherboard, cpu and ram must be in a single box. The rest can be connected via usb-c. You a roughly describing the framework laptop. Most things there are connected via usb-c
pipeline_peak
Is there no way cpu and ram could be connected via usb?

Even if it’s the most primitive computer

stop50
it would be far easier to make the ram part of the cpu. The cpu would waste the most cycles handling the usb-ports than in the computing itself(9+ cycles usb/1 cycle data).
sargstuff
Use 'emulated cpu' on fpga -- fpga's expensive[0].

physical ram via 'usb' would need to be 'hot swappable'[1] -- currently a $$$$ hardware option for high end servers.

'ram disk' can be done via swap file on SSD. aka disk on usb.

note: usb communication data available to everything on usb bus.

ram access patterns have high usage rate aka heavy wear/tare on drives.

Historical issue is ram speed is almost always faster than the 'general purpose' bus, even when not competing with other devices using same usb bus.

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[0] : https://www.arm.com/glossary/fpga#:~:text=Field%20Programmab....

[1] : one possible future example usage over 'usb' : https://www.techradar.com/pro/computer-ram-gets-biggest-upgr...