---
title: Intel SDK-86
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1979'
cpus:
- Intel 8086
params:
  name: SDK-86
  image: /media/museum/photos/intel_sdk86_board_1.jpg
  company: /companies/intel
  company_name: Intel
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: SDK-86
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Intel
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1979'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: ROM Monitor
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Hexadecimal 24 keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Intel 8086
  - label: SPEED
    value: 2.5 or 5 Mhz (jumper selectable)
  - label: RAM
    value: 2 KB expandable to 4 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 8 KB (Monitor)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 8-digit led
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Processor bus, Parallel and Serial I/O
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: \+ 5V, -12V external AC adaptor
  - label: PRICE
    value: $780
  tabs:
  - photos
  - docs
  forum_thread: 561
  photos:
  - title: DOCUMENTATION
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      SDK_86 documentation included

      \- Assembly manual\
      \- User's manual and user's guide\
      \- 8086 reference guide\
      \- Monitor listing\
      \- System schematics.
    image: /media/museum/photos/intel_sdk86_manual_2.jpg
  - title: DOCUMENTATION DETAIL
    subtitle: ''
    text: Detail of a construction step in the assembly documentation
    image: /media/museum/photos/intel_sdk86_manual_1.jpg
  docs:
  - title: SDK-86 - MCS-86 SYSTEM DESIGN KIT - USER'S MANUAL
    url: null
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/intel_sdk86_user-manual_doc.jpg
    text: |-
      **SDK-86 - MCS-86 SYSTEM DESIGN KIT - USER'S MANUAL**\
      written by Intel

       compiled/archived by Mustafa Abdullah Katie\
       type of document : PDF\
       size : 5.6 MB

      **... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
  oc_id: 570
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221205041938/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=570
    date: '2022-12-05'
---

The SDK-86 (System Design Kit) was the first available computer using the Intel 8086 microprocessor. It was sold as a single board kit at a cheaper price than a single 8086 chip! because Intel thought that the success of a microprocessor depends on its evaluation by as many users as possible. All major components were socketed and the kit could be assembled by anyone having a limited technical knowledge thanks to a clear and complete assembly manual. The system could be used with the on-board keyboard and display or connected to a serial video terminal.

The internal ROM monitor offered the following commands:

**S** (*Substitute Memory*): Displays / Modifies memory locations\
**X** (*Examine / Modify registers*) : Displays / Modifies 8086 registers\
**D** (*Display memory*): Displays memory content\
**M** (*Move*): Moves block of memory data\
**I** (*Port Input*): Receives data from input port\
**O** (*Port Output*): Send data to input port\
**G** (*Go*): Execute user program\
**N** (*Single Step*): Execute single program instruction\
**R** (*Read File*): Read object file from tape to memory\
**W** (*Write File*): Writes block of memory to tape.