https://www.boardsandbits.com/ Hardware deep dives for makers and tinkerers en Sat, 17 Oct 2026 20:27:24 GMT https://www.boardsandbits.com/risc-v-open-source-processors-maker-boards-2024-2025/ https://www.boardsandbits.com/risc-v-open-source-processors-maker-boards-2024-2025/ RISC-V development boards have quietly crossed the threshold from academic curiosity to genuinely useful maker hardware. We dig into the best boards available right now, where the ecosystem still has gaps, and why 2024-2025 might be the moment you actually want to spend your project budget on open silicon. Boards & Bits Hardware Reviews & Comparisons Sat, 17 Oct 2026 20:20:51 GMT https://www.boardsandbits.com/usb-c-thunderbolt-pcie-protocol-comparison-custom-builds/ https://www.boardsandbits.com/usb-c-thunderbolt-pcie-protocol-comparison-custom-builds/ You've got a USB-C cable, a Thunderbolt dock, and a PCIe expansion card all trying to coexist in your latest build — and something isn't working right. Understanding what's actually happening at the protocol level can save you hours of troubleshooting and bad purchasing decisions. Here's the practical breakdown makers actually need. Boards & Bits DIY & Making Sat, 17 Oct 2026 20:20:51 GMT https://www.boardsandbits.com/breadboard-to-custom-pcb-design-guide/ https://www.boardsandbits.com/breadboard-to-custom-pcb-design-guide/ Every maker hits that moment when a tangled breadboard just isn't cutting it anymore. Designing your first custom PCB feels intimidating, but with the right tools and a little know-how, it's more achievable than you think. Here's everything you need to make the leap. Boards & Bits DIY & Making Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:21:10 GMT https://www.boardsandbits.com/cpu-gpu-npu-best-processor-diy-ai-projects-2024/ https://www.boardsandbits.com/cpu-gpu-npu-best-processor-diy-ai-projects-2024/ The AI hardware landscape has exploded in the past two years, and makers building machine learning projects at home now have more processing options than ever — which honestly makes the choice harder. We break down CPUs, GPUs, and the new wave of NPUs so you can spend your money on the right chip for the job. Boards & Bits Hardware Reviews & Comparisons Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:21:10 GMT