Yes—but not natively. Dmitry Grinberg’s Linux/4004 project uses a physical Intel 4004, a 4-bit processor from 1971, to emulate a MIPS R3000 system. Debian Linux runs on that emulated system, and Grinberg reports that it reached a Linux shell after 4.76 days. The result is a deliberately extreme demonstration, not a practical way to run a desktop or server.
What “Linux on a 4-bit processor” means
The Intel 4004 is the board’s only CPU, but it does not execute Linux instructions directly. Its firmware emulates a MIPS R3000 processor and enough supporting hardware for Debian Linux to boot. In other words, the 4004 performs the work of simulating a different computer; Linux runs on the simulated MIPS system.
That distinction is essential because the 4004 lacks the architecture, code space, and memory capacity needed to host Linux itself. Grinberg says he chose MIPS R3000 after considering other architectures and initially worked within the 4004’s 4 KB code space. His project page, listed as published September 19, 2024, describes the goal as “Slowly booting full Linux on the intel 4004 for fun, art, and absolutely no profit.” Grinberg’s Linux/4004 project page
How the 4004 board gets Debian to boot
Firmware emulates a MIPS computer
The 4004 firmware implements a minimized MIPS R3000 system, including a reduced set of peripherals. Grinberg describes building the CPU emulation to fit a tight ROM budget, then adding interface code and a compact SD-card driver. He reports that the driver took 190 bytes and could initialize an SD card and read or write sectors.
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- 10 cores (6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores) and 16 threads
- Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Up to 4.7 GHz unlocked. 20MB Cache
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) and 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. DDR4 and DDR5 Memory support. RM1 thermal solution included. Discrete graphics required.
Vintage processor, modern support hardware
The board combines vintage MCS-4 components with modern parts that supply the resources the emulated Linux system needs. Its described hardware includes SPI PSRAM for RAM, an SD card for storage, a UART serial port, and a display; a secondary project overview also identifies a 40×2 vacuum fluorescent display and LEDs that indicate the emulated program counter. Because the components operate at different electrical levels, the design also needs level translation and voltage conversion. Hackster.io’s project overview
Why booting took 4.76 days
Grinberg reports that the final boot took 4.76 days to reach the project’s stated Linux shell milestone. That is the author’s result on this specific experimental board, not a general benchmark for the Intel 4004 or a comparison with other Linux systems.
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To avoid waiting through multi-day hardware boots for every firmware change, Grinberg used an emulator of his board to evaluate optimizations. His documented work included lookup tables, unrolled SPI transfer and memory-copy routines, revised shifts and instruction dispatch, reductions to the Linux kernel configuration, and a specialized instruction-fetch path. He also reports that adding RAM could make boot slower, since Linux then had more memory structures to initialize.
Grinberg says the 4004 is specified for 740 kHz and reports running his board at 790 kHz, using a 5.5296 MHz crystal with the 4201 in divide-by-seven mode. Those figures describe his setup and project account; they should not be read as a general operating specification for every 4004.
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- Intel Core i5 2.50 GHz processor offers hyper-threading architecture that delivers high performance for demanding applications with improved onboard graphics and turbo boost
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- Its 18 MB of L3 cache is good enough to carry routine data and process them in a flash giving you fast and smooth performance
- Built-in Intel UHD Graphics 730 controller for improved graphics and visual quality. Supports up to 4 monitors.
Can you build a Linux/4004 yourself?
The project page provides schematics and a bill of materials, so it offers a documented path for someone interested in reproducing the hardware. The parts span vintage MCS-4 chips as well as modern components. For example, Grinberg’s BOM names an AT28C64B EEPROM (or a suitable 8K×8 EPROM) and calls for a first RAM device of at least 4 MB, alongside other memory and interface parts.
A BOM is not a guarantee that every listed component is currently available or that marketplace listings are interchangeable. Grinberg’s page mentions contacting him about a possible kit, but current kit availability is not established. A build also involves more than acquiring one named chip: the project depends on the vintage processor system, modern memory and storage, and the supporting interface and power circuitry.
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- The processor features Socket LGA-1700 socket for installation on the PCB
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- 10 cores (6 P-cores plus 4 E-cores) and 16 threads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 730 included.
- Performance hybrid architecture integrates two core microarchitectures, prioritizing and distributing workloads to optimize performance
- Up to 4.7 GHz unlocked. 20MB Cache
- Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) and 700-series chipset-based motherboards
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 support. Intel Optane Memory support. RM1 thermal solution included.
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