The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →AcqRel’s reported Factorio Yosys project connected the Yosys hardware-synthesis tool to Factorio’s in-game combinators, turning a RISC-V design into a circuit that runs inside the game. Hackster.io described it as a “fully-functional” 32-bit RISC-V soft-core demonstration, but that wording is not evidence of formal RISC-V certification, physical CPU performance, or independent testing.
How the reported AcqRel project worked
Yosys is an open synthesis suite used to translate hardware-description-language designs into circuit representations. Hackster.io reported that AcqRel’s backend mapped an HDL project into Factorio combinator circuits, including a 32-bit RISC-V soft-core processor. The article also mentioned a working Snake game as another example. Hackster.io’s report traces the project to a Mastodon post by Frans Skarman, who credited a friend as its creator; the available account does not independently establish that person’s identity beyond the AcqRel handle used in the coverage.
This is a software-generated circuit demonstration inside a game, not a physical RISC-V chip. “Fully-functional” should be read as the report’s description of the demonstration, not as a conformance claim or a measured comparison with conventional processors.
What the reported speed means
Hackster.io attributed a speed of 1.82 Hz to Frans Skarman, with Factorio capped at 60 frames per second. Skarman said that uncapping the game’s frame rate could make the processor run faster. The captured report does not establish a reliable publication year, and the figure is not an independently verified current benchmark; it applies to the reported demonstration and its game-rate conditions, not to v2f or RISC-V processors generally.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Flexible MCU Board: Incorporate the ESP32-C3 32-bit RISC-V chip, operating up to 160 MHz, mounted multiple development ports,
- Developer Friendly: Compatible with Arduino IDE, MicroPython, CircuitPython, PlatformIO, ESP IDF, Zephyr, Matter, ESPNow, Meshtastic, WLED, ESPHome, Home Assistant, Ubidots
- Outstanding RF performance: Complete Wi-Fi functions and Bluetooth Low Energy, while supporting communication over 100m with anFL antenna
- Elaborate Power Design: 4 working modes as low as 44 μA in deep sleep mode, while supporting lithium battery charge management
- Thumb-sized Design: 21 x 17.5mm, Seeed Studio XIAO series classic form factor
How v2f relates—and how it does not
A separate project, Ben C.’s v2f, documents a related Verilog-to-Factorio workflow. Its repository describes conversion of Verilog designs into Factorio 2.0 blueprint output, with Rust and Lua APIs. The project provides an RV32IM example based on an Ultraembedded core, sample programs, and a cross-compiler for freestanding RV32IM. Ben C. says the example’s hello-world program runs after the core is compiled and clocked. These details come from the v2f repository and the author’s project post.
The v2f material helps explain the general idea: Yosys produces a design representation, then a Rust backend maps it to combinators, places and routes the circuit, and emits a blueprint. The project also includes a Rust combinator simulator for comparing behavior with Verilog simulation, Lua scripting, a node-based GUI, and SVG rendering. Its browser demo covers backend placement and simulation rather than the entire Yosys compilation flow.
Rank #2
- CH32V003 Development Minimum System Board for Nano RISC-V CH32V003F4U6 Chip TYPE-C USB 22Pin
- on-board 24MHz Crystal oscillator
- Power by TYPE-C USB
There is no established connection between v2f and AcqRel’s project, and the two should not be treated as the same implementation or as a predecessor and successor. Their reported timing figures are not directly comparable.
What the two projects document
| Project | Documented workflow and example | Timing evidence | License evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| AcqRel’s reported Factorio Yosys project | Hackster.io reports a Yosys-to-Factorio combinator backend and a 32-bit RISC-V soft-core demonstration; the article also mentions Snake. | Hackster.io attributes 1.82 Hz at a 60-fps cap to Frans Skarman. The report’s publication year is not established in the captured page, and the figure is not independently verified. | Hackster.io said the license was unspecified at the time of its article. |
| Ben C.’s v2f | Repository documents Verilog-to-Factorio 2.0 blueprint output and an RV32IM example, alongside Rust and Lua APIs. | The author reports a 41-game-tick minimum clock period for the v2f RISC-V example. This is an author-reported timing-analysis result, not a wall-clock benchmark. | The v2f repository identifies its license as AGPL-3.0. |
The v2f author also describes partitioned placement, simulated annealing, routing, and power coverage; for the RISC-V layout, he says a couple of substations required manual placement. This is evidence about v2f, not about AcqRel’s implementation.
Rank #3
- The ESP32-C3 SUPERMINI is positioned as a high-performance, low-power, cost-effective IoT mini development board, suitable for low-power IoT applications and wireless wearable applications
- It is equipped with a rich set of interfaces, including 11 digital I/Os that can be used as PWM pins and 4 analog I/Os that can be used as ADC pins.
- It supports four serial interfaces, including UART, I2C, and SPI.
- The ESP32-C3 features a 32-bit RISC-V CPU, including an FPU (Floating Point Unit) capable of 32-bit single-precision
- Package: 2PCS ESP32-C3 MINI Development Board ESP32 SuperMini ESP32 C3 WiFi Module
Ways to explore the idea
Factorio is the environment for the in-game circuit demonstration. The v2f repository and its browser simulator are separate ways to inspect related project material; the browser demo does not perform the full Yosys compilation flow. The repository is open source under its stated license, while the older AcqRel coverage did not specify a license.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ample PSRAM Storage – The development board offers 8MB PSRAM, providing substantial extra memory for handling more complex tasks, large data buffers, and advanced processing.
- Enhanced Multi-Tasking Capability – With the additional 8MB PSRAM, the ESP32-C5-WIFI6-KIT can efficiently manage multiple protocol stacks simultaneously, ensuring smooth operation in multi-tasking IoT environments.
- Support for Medium-Load Applications – The 8MB PSRAM allows the ESP32-C5 to handle medium-load applications more effectively, making it ideal for scenarios requiring real-time data processing or continuous communication.
- Seamless Performance – The increased memory improves the overall performance and responsiveness of the device, particularly when running applications with larger memory footprints or more demanding computations.
- Future-Proof for Complex Projects – With 8MB of PSRAM, developers are better equipped to build scalable, high-performance solutions that support both current and future IoT use cases, offering flexibility for future-proofing designs.
Rank #4
- ESP32-C6 WiFi 6 microcontroller development board adopts ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N8 module, which is equipped with RISC-V 32-bit single-core processor, up to 160MHz main frequency, built-in 8MB Flash
- Integrates WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5 and and IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee 3.0 and Thread) wireless communication, with superior RF performance
- Integrates rich peripherals including SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, LED PWM, SDIO and other interfaces, compatible with the pinout of ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1-N8 development board, more convenient to use and expand a variety of peripheral modules
- Onboard CH343 and CH334 USB HUB chips, supports USB and UART development at the same time via a USB-C port
- Comes with online examples and tutorials for ESP-IDF development environment
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
