I started out learning Microprocessors from the wide range of books available on the 8086 model. I've devoured more than 5 hefty books on the topic, but as I progress towards the learning of modern microprocessors, I'm noticing that there is an incredible lack of books available for the hardware, software, and the interfacing of them, such as the Intel Pentium dual-core processors and greater. Why are there not any for them? Because the machine I am making has a relatively higher power consumption than, for example, the controllers in your vehicles (mine takes advantage of high-voltage vacuum suction), I must resort to the use of microprocessors rather than microcontrollers. The machine I am making will be very simple to code. This is why I am programming it in Assembly Language. This way, I have a true understanding of what to do if anything goes wrong. Can modern assemblers like TASM, NASM, MASM, and MPASM create executable files which modern software can send to modern EPROMs which can be interfaced with the dual-core microprocessor in a similar way you interface it with an 8086 microrprocessor? Is there a comprehensive list of modern hardware devices that serve a particular function for modern microprocessors such as those akin to the Intel 8254, which connects a 16-key keyboard to a 7-segment LED display for the 8086 microrprocessor? Why aren't the older microprocessors available for purchase? I notice that all the modern ones are for "desktops". Do these have to be for computers or can you still use them for personal creation? Can I reprogram desktop microprocessors for very basic purposes? I don't need a multi-core processor, just a cheap and basic processor that my company can repurchase to replicate the machine. What must a manufacturer do in this case? Spend hundreds of dollars on microprocessors which are only used for very basic purposes, rendering most of the features on them useless? Surely, Intel took this into consideration, right?
Since there are no books I can find on the subject anywhere, is the whole concept of interrupts and decoders still in effect? I'm at a standstill in my learning. Guide me to the right direction please. You would think that the more advanced a topic gets, the more books there will be to cover the details of it. The data sheets which give a 2-line description of what a pin does appear to be quite vague. Ironically, there are fewer resources available than that of the 8086. Also, I'm assuming you provide 280 or so entry points on the D-type connectors for all the pins on modern processors. Is this true? Thanks for your help!