Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

Exxos made a few prototype PLCC68 to DIP64 CPU adapters available in his store. I tried to figure out how to build one up and see if I could get it working.

These were designed with the Terriblefire TF536 ST variant in mind, but if the technique can be perfected, they could open the door to the plethora of DIP64-based ST upgrades being used on the ST.

Prototype adapter: exxoshost.co.uk/atari/store2/#0234

0:00 The STE's PLCC CPU and why it's a problem
10:05 Introduction to the adapter
11:50 How to align the pins. Method 1.
28:45 Method 2.
34:18 Continuity testing
40:37 adding the DIP socket
43:13 Discontinuity testing
46:29 CPU time
48:01 Removing the old CPU
50:30 First try at insertion
52:00 Great success!
55:40 A better insertion attempt

twitter.com/thetechnoshed