General PC hardware

Upgrades for PC systems that use shared drive, keyboard, serial, parallel, display, or other interfaces rather than one expansion-card bus or exact IBM model.

Also called: IBM PC compatible, PC clone hardware

At a glance

Introduced: 1981

Products listed: 19

Exact-target evidence: 0

Family/interface evidence: 19

Product types: 6

Vintage searches: 0

Directory: General PC hardware

Browse everything below, or filter by product type, availability, and compatibility basis. Notes explain whether evidence names an exact target, a broader family, or only the relevant bus or interface for this platform.

Showing 19 products.

StatusProductWhat it doesLinks
Check statusChecked Jul 30, 2026BIT-C-128 Video DACby John R. Carlsen / Syncopated Systems

Converts Commodore 128 80-column RGBI into 15 kHz analog RGB for a compatible display or a separate VGA scaler.

For this platform (bus/interface): The maker also supports IBM CGA and similar digital RGBI outputs. Confirm the source connector and sync signals, then use a 15 kHz analog display or add a separate scaler.

The official site says sales resumed through its Square store in January 2024, but current stock was not independently confirmed on 2026-07-30. BIT-C-128 is not a scan converter: direct use requires a display that accepts roughly 15.75 kHz analog RGB. An ordinary VGA display also needs a GBS-8200, GBS-8220, or another suitable scaler. Supply regulated 5 V power and the cables or adapters required by the selected display path.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 27, 2026BlueSCSI v2 and Ultraby BlueSCSI project

Open hardware SCSI emulator with SD-backed storage, optional Wi-Fi networking, and host-side management tools.

For this platform (bus/interface): BlueSCSI documentation includes IBM PC setup and DOS SCSI-driver guidance. A PC still needs a compatible SCSI host adapter, driver, cable, termination, and matching 50-pin Narrow, 68-pin Wide, or 80-pin SCA connection. Ultra hardware also requires Berg or Molex power.

Current seller checks on 2026-07-27 found a $39 internal 50-pin Pico 2 W kit, a $49 assembled external DB-25 model, a $49 PowerBook model, and a $59 assembled Ultra Narrow 50-pin model at authorized seller ToTs RETRO. JCM also carried assembled Ultra hardware and model-specific Macintosh adapters. Prices, stock, included media, and support differ by seller. Ultra models require Berg or Molex power and cannot run from SCSI termination power. The initial Ultra hardware release is not yet open hardware, although its firmware remains GPL; the project says hardware licensing will open later.

Sources
Sold outChecked Jul 30, 2026CGA to RGB Convertorby Pyrofer's Projects

Converts digital RGBI into 15 kHz analog RGB and can break out a Commodore 128's 40-column S-Video and audio.

For this platform (bus/interface): The board accepts CGA-style RGBI plus horizontal and vertical sync. It outputs source-rate analog RGB and composite sync rather than VGA timing, so verify the exact source signals and use a compatible 15 kHz display or separate scaler.

The maker lists the assembled board as out of stock and publishes no fabrication package. This is not a scan converter; the display must accept the source timing, normally about 15 kHz, or use a separate scaler. The maker's design history says the completed logic omits the valid intensity-only dark-gray color, which appears black. The board also passes 5 V to HD-15 pin 9; verify that the attached cable and display do not ground that pin.

Sources
Sold outChecked Jul 30, 2026CGA2RGBv2by GGLABS

Converts MDA, CGA, EGA, and Commodore 128 RGBI into 15 kHz analog RGB with selectable sync.

For this platform (bus/interface): Supports digital MDA, CGA, and EGA signals from vintage PCs, including Tandy 1000 CGA-compatible output. Confirm the exact connector, selected DIP-switch mode, source timing, and downstream display or scaler.

The maker labels the current project revision released, but its assembled Tindie listing said the seller was taking a break on 2026-07-30. The maker publishes a schematic but not a complete fabrication package. This is not a scan converter: an ordinary VGA display needs a GBS-8200, GBS-8220, OSSC, or another compatible scaler. The board requires 5 V through Micro-USB or a suitable GBS power connection.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 24, 2026Gotek Floppy Emulator with FlashFloppyby Gotek and Keir Fraser

Replaces supported 34-pin floppy drives with disk images stored on a USB flash drive.

For this platform (bus/interface): The official host guide supports IBM PC compatibles. Configure IBM-PC interface mode with rear jumper JC or `interface = ibmpc` in FF.CFG, install select jumper S1, and leave S0, S2, and MO open.

FlashFloppy directly supports most SFR-prefix Goteks with a 34-pin header. Do not buy a UFA-prefix USB-floppy model; 26-pin DU26 and TU26 models require modification, and the project recommends avoiding the FDD-UDD U144K. Gotek's maker site accepts only wholesale orders of at least ten, while the linked specialty catalog lists several individually priced, configured units. Confirm the microcontroller, installed firmware, front-panel fit, cable orientation, power, and host-specific jumpers before installation. Initial FlashFloppy programming may require a boot jumper and a USB programming cable or USB-TTL adapter.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 30, 2026GuruModemby Electronics Is Fun

Adds high-speed Wi-Fi networking, file-transfer protocols, and SD-card storage to computers with a standard RS-232 interface.

For this platform (bus/interface): The maker specifies any computer with a standard RS-232 serial interface. Match the host's DTE or DCE wiring, connector gender, supported baud rate, flow-control signals, and terminal software, and provide separate 5 V power.

The maker page exposed direct eBay, Sphere Cube, and Arcade Shopper purchase routes on 2026-07-30. Tavily could not independently extract the exact eBay or Sphere Cube destinations, recorded as WF-044 and WF-045, so confirm current stock before ordering. A user-supplied 5 V micro-USB supply is required; the SD card, serial cable, and computer-specific adapters are not included.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 27, 2026HxC SD Floppy Emulator Familyby HxC2001 and Lotharek

Replaces compatible 34-pin floppy drives with read/write disk images on SD or SDHC media.

For this platform (bus/interface): HxC supports the 34-pin IBM-PC floppy interface. Select the documented PC jumper mode and confirm drive select, ribbon twist, pin 1, 5 V power, disk geometry, drive-bay fit, and BIOS or controller support for the intended image format.

All fourteen Rev C, Rev F, and MAX hardware variants exposed current login-or-register-to-buy paths on 2026-07-27. Rev C and Rev F use a standard floppy 5 V supply; the manual specifies at least 400 mA and says the 12 V line is unused. MAX accepts either 5 V over Micro-USB or 7-12 V center-positive DC power. Verify pin 1, drive-select jumpers, cable twists, voltage, and physical fit before connection: some computers reverse the usual 5 V and 12 V floppy-power positions, and incorrect power can damage both emulator and host. The firmware reads and writes supported images but does not reproduce variable-bit-rate protection completely; IPF and STX support is partial.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 27, 2026HxC Slim SD Floppy Emulator Familyby HxC2001 and Lotharek

Adds read/write SD floppy emulation in compact 34-pin and 26-pin FPC forms.

For this platform (bus/interface): Use a 34-pin Slim variant for an ordinary IBM-PC floppy interface and select the documented PC mode. Confirm drive select, ribbon twist, pin 1, 5 V power, disk geometry, mounting, and BIOS or controller support.

All five Lotharek Slim variants exposed current login-or-register-to-buy paths on 2026-07-27. Choose the 34-pin HE10 or 1 mm 26-pin FPC version for the host; the 26-pin form requires the manual's ID0A setting. Supply regulated 5 V and verify the host connector, voltage, pin 1, drive select, cable, and mounting before connection. The manual specifies at least 300 mA and a 500 mA maximum figure. The firmware reads and writes supported images but does not reproduce variable-bit-rate protection completely; IPF and STX support is partial.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 28, 2026HxC USB Floppy Emulator Familyby HxC2001 and Lotharek

Streams read-only floppy images from a modern USB host to compatible 34-pin drives or an Amiga external-floppy adapter.

For this platform (bus/interface): The standalone USB HxC supports the 34-pin IBM-PC floppy interface. Confirm drive select, ribbon twist, pin 1, drive-bay fit, and controller support. The modern USB host remains attached while the vintage PC accesses the emulated disk.

The standalone unit, cable set, and Ami2PC bundle exposed current login-or-register-to-buy paths on 2026-07-27. The official HxC home page and release notes show that the software project remains active in 2026. The unit needs a modern computer running the HxC host software and emulates disks read-only. The standalone set includes a 40 cm floppy ribbon and USB A-to-B cable; Ami2PC instead adds the Amiga external-floppy adapter. Never connect or disconnect the 34-pin or Amiga-side cable while USB is attached; disconnect USB first. Ami2PC can use Amiga disk-copy software to write a real disk in DF0 from an emulated DF1. Its early-boot workflow needs Kickstart 2.0 or newer. The seller still does not identify which oldest Amigas need its unspecified modification, so do not rely on early-model boot support without separate instructions.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 24, 2026MacSDby YMK Devices

Multifunction 50-pin SCSI-2 device that emulates hard disks and CD-ROM drives from SD or MMC media.

For this platform (bus/interface): The maker documents PC operation with Windows 98, Windows XP, and MS-DOS 6.22 plus MSCDEX and named Adaptec SCSI adapters and drivers. A compatible 50-pin SCSI host adapter, cabling, power, termination, and operating-system driver remain required.

The Tindie page exposed quantity and CD-audio-jack selectors with a current View Options and Buy path on 2026-07-24. Its destination-dependent shipping messages were inconsistent, so buyers should confirm shipping for their country.

Sources
Build itChecked Jul 27, 2026MT32-Piby Dale Whinham and RetroDreams

Adds low-latency Roland MT-32 emulation and SoundFont synthesis to an ITX-Llama or MIDI-equipped vintage PC.

For this platform (bus/interface): The upstream project documents use with a vintage PC by connecting the PC's MIDI output to a supported USB, GPIO, or serial MIDI input on the Pi. Confirm the host MIDI interface, Pi model, audio output, power, cabling, and ROM or SoundFont setup.

The preconfigured RetroDreams package reported Sold out on 2026-07-27. The GPL-3.0 upstream project still provides source, releases, and setup documentation, although its maintainer says further releases are unlikely. Users must supply legally obtained MT-32 or CM-32L ROM images; they are not included in the retail package or upstream download.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 24, 2026PC Gameport Partyby 1Bit Fever Dreams

Breaks out a vintage PC gameport for two joysticks plus simultaneous MIDI input and output.

For this platform (bus/interface): Joystick functions use a compatible PC DB-15 gameport. MIDI input and output additionally require that the host gameport implement MPU-401-compatible MIDI. Supply a separate DB-15 male-to-female extension cable.

The JCM page showed six units in stock on 2026-07-24. MIDI requires an MPU-401-compatible gameport, such as one on an appropriate Sound Blaster 16-era card or clone. The required male-to-female DB-15 cable is not included; a bottom insulating plate is included.

Sources
PreorderChecked Jul 24, 2026PicoIDEby Ian Scott

Emulates IDE hard disks and ATAPI CD-ROM drives from image files on a microSD card, with optional front-panel and Wi-Fi controls.

For this platform (bus/interface): PicoIDE connects as an IDE or ATAPI drive and was developed primarily on 1990s PCs. The maker does not promise every unusual IDE implementation. It supports PIO modes 0-4 and multi-word DMA modes 0-2, but not UDMA. Setup requires an IDE ribbon cable, 4-pin floppy/Berg power, and the correct device-select jumper.

Crowd Supply was accepting orders from limited campaign inventory on 2026-07-24, but production was still underway and the original June 2026 shipment had slipped. A June update says production firmware will support two simultaneous devices; the current setup guide still labels the two-device jumper mode as future. The project describes the hardware and firmware as open source, but this pass did not verify a complete public fabrication package.

Sources
Build itChecked Jul 30, 2026rgbi2rgbaby Travis Durf (Markeno76)

A buildable C128 and IBM CGA digital-to-analog video adapter with RGBS, RGBHV, and Commodore A/V pass-through options.

For this platform (bus/interface): A reduced build accepts IBM CGA-compatible RGBI and uses a regulated 5 V barrel input. Omit the Commodore-only A/V connectors as documented, then select RGBS or RGBHV for the downstream 15 kHz display or scaler.

The repository publishes KiCad sources, Gerbers, a BOM, and printable cases for revision 1.3. The maker tested RGBI, composite, S-Video, audio, and GBS-Control output; revision 1.3 corrects the earlier monochrome pass-through error. This is not a scan converter. Use a compatible 15 kHz path such as GBS-Control or a suitable SCART converter. Never connect the C128 A/V power input and the external barrel power input at the same time. The maker found an ordinary SCART-to-HDMI box unstable in one 80-column game while GBS-Control remained stable.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 27, 2026SamWave Wavetable Moduleby Lotharek

Adds SAM2695 General MIDI synthesis to a sound card with a compatible Wave Blaster header.

For this platform (bus/interface): SamWave plugs into the PC sound-card wavetable header linked by the seller. The standard connector carries MIDI data, reset, stereo audio, and power. Confirm a Wave Blaster-compatible 26-pin header, orientation, clearance, host mixer routing, and MIDI software support on the exact sound card.

The Lotharek page exposed a login-or-register-to-buy path on 2026-07-27. It identifies the sound-card wavetable header but does not publish a tested-card list, connector-orientation diagram, clearance envelope, or host mixer and software setup. Confirm that the sound card has a correctly keyed or clearly marked Wave Blaster-compatible 26-pin header, identify pin 1, check daughterboard clearance, and power off before installation. Do not assume an arbitrary 26-pin connector is compatible.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 24, 2026SCSI Adapter With Blinkenlightsby Tech By Androda

Adapts several common vintage SCSI connectors while eighteen LEDs expose signal activity for testing and troubleshooting.

For this platform (bus/interface): Can adapt and diagnose equipment using its documented 50-pin, Centronics 50, or DB-25 SCSI interfaces. It is not an ISA, MCA, or EISA expansion card.

JCM showed 34 units in stock on 2026-07-24. Connector orientation matters: align the PowerBook connector's marked missing pin, install the Centronics connector with its wider side toward DB-25, and expect the internal 50-pin female socket to be unusually tight.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 24, 2026Stratos SD-to-SCSI Adapter Familyby Stratos Technology

SD-card storage adapters for notebook SCSI, internal 50-pin SCSI, and external DB-25 SCSI connections.

For this platform (bus/interface): The standalone PowerMonster page documents an IBM-standard 2.5-inch SCSI interface plus DOS and Windows use when a compatible SCSI host interface is present. Confirm cabling, power, mounting, termination, BIOS or driver support, and formatting software.

The standalone PowerMonster, AztecMonster, and SusanoMonster pages exposed current Add to cart controls on 2026-07-24. The external PowerMonster with BakMonolith kit was out of stock. Mac OS installations need suitable third-party formatting software. Hot swapping works only when the host operating system supports removable media and may require explicit unmount and mount operations.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 30, 2026WiModem232 Proby CBMSTUFF.COM

Connects supported vintage computers to Wi-Fi BBSes through an RS-232 serial port.

For this platform (bus/interface): The vendor says it was tested with IBM PC models having DB9 or DB25 serial ports. Match DTE/DCE wiring and connector gender, add a DB9-to-DB25 adapter when needed, and provide external 5 V power.

The current Pro V2 model was in stock on 2026-07-30. It has a female DB25 connector, a color TFT screen, a printed case, faster interface buffers, and signal-state LEDs. It needs an external 5 V micro-USB supply, and the host may also need a gender changer, DB9 adapter, or correctly wired computer-specific serial cable. The older display-free and OLED WiModem232 models are discontinued and replaced by this version.

Sources
AvailableChecked Jul 24, 2026ZuluIDE V2by Rabbit Hole Computing

Emulates IDE or ATAPI hard disks, CD-ROMs, Zip 100 drives, and removable media from image files on an SD card.

For this platform (bus/interface): The Compact V2 is documented for desktop computers with a 40-pin IDE interface. The Hybrid adds a 44-pin laptop connector and a 40-pin footprint. V2 supports PIO modes 0-3, Ultra DMA 0-1, and ATA/33. Set its primary, secondary, or cable-select DIP switches to match the IDE channel and verify the connector, power cable, mounting, and audio requirements for the host.

Rabbit Hole Computing marked its Compact and Hybrid V2 listings sold out on 2026-07-24. The project's official seller directory linked to AmigaKit, whose ZuluIDE V2 page still offered an Add to Cart path that day. Confirm the connector and DAC variant before ordering.

Sources