Raven project – A new Atari clone called Raven is in motion: designer Anders Granlund started the project in 2024 and built a custom ATX-compatible mainboard around a genuine Motorola 68060 CPU, pairing it with SIMM-based RAM/ROM and ISA expansion for running TOS/GEM setups a
He doesn’t just want to run old GEM/TOS software—he wants the hardware to matter.
That’s the mood behind the Raven project, driven by Anders Granlund and built around a genuine Motorola 68060 CPU. Instead of firing up an emulator or trying to revive an aging Motorola 68k-based Atari ST. he’s taking the hard route: designing a custom mainboard and assembling a system that can carry the Atari-era software forward.
The build has been underway since 2024. Granlund started a thread on the Exxos Forum for the project, and that thread effectively became the running log for the work as it progressed.
Raven’s core design choices aim to make the system both practical and flexible. Both RAM and ROM ICs are placed on SIMM sticks, which Granlund notes is a cleaner alternative to the typical socketed or soldered-in approach. That setup allows up to 48 MB of RAM and up to 16 MB of ROM.
The mainboard itself is ATX-compatible. a detail that matters more than it sounds for anyone trying to keep the build straightforward. It fits into a standard ATX case using an ATX power supply. and the board includes a total of 4 ISA slots. The goal is to preserve the legacy feel while keeping enough expansion room for real-world tinkering.
For the classic software experience. the Raven board bundles Atari-related support and familiar components. including YM2149 audio. IDE HDD support. and legacy Atari peripheral support. With the system assembled, it’s built to run Atari’s TOS with its GEM UI. It can also run FreeMiNT. positioned as the modern equivalent for those who want a contemporary take on the TOS/GEM workflow.
If you’re tempted to replicate it, the design files are available for the current A1 board revision. There’s one catch: you’ll need to source your own ICs.
In the end, Raven isn’t just an Atari clone in the abstract. It’s a deliberate bet that the best way to keep older software alive is to build something sturdy enough that the past doesn’t just run—it feels like it’s still there.
Raven project Atari clone Motorola 68060 GEM TOS FreeMiNT Anders Granlund Exxos Forum SIMM ATX-compatible mainboard ISA slots YM2149 IDE HDD retro computing
So it’s basically Atari but modern?? Kinda wild. I’m guessing it’ll cost a fortune though.
Wait, doesn’t GEM/TOS already run on stuff like emulators? Why are people making new boards… seems pointless unless the point is just flexing hardware.
I saw 68060 and thought that means it’ll run like 486 speeds or something lol. Also 48MB RAM sounds more than my first computer, so that part has to be good right?
They’re putting Atari stuff on SIMM sticks like it’s some kind of space computer… and it’s ATX? I’m confused, because ATX is like for PCs, not for Atari. But hey, ISA slots?? That alone makes me think it’s gonna be a headache to find cards for. Still cool that the “ROM/RAM” are upgradable or whatever, assuming you can even source those ICs. The catch is always sourcing, isn’t it.