user6205: Okay 2 questions. If I am to replace the Arduino with an ATmega328 programmed with a standard blink on pin 13, is this configuration correct, do I still need oscillators and whatnot?

Second question is, what is the max voltage I can power the ATmega328 with without frying it? I have seen conflicting answers of this on the net. Some have said 5V while some say 6V can someone clarify?

user6936: If you take a look at the Standalone Arduino on the Arduino website, then this is what you require:

Note that there is one slight error in the guide, which I have highlighted here, Arduino Standalone - photo shows incorrect pin wired to MOSI.
There is a video on how to achieve, more or less, the same thing, 1-Day Project: Build Your Own Arduino Uno for $5.

user10794: I have a page describing How to make an Arduino-compatible minimal board. The minimal setup would be:

That excludes the circuitry for uploading your code.
By the way, in the image in the question you have an LED with no resistor. That will damage both the LED and the Atmega328. You need a current-limiting resistor.


do I still need oscillators

Not if you program the fuse to use the internal oscillator.

Some have said 5v while some say 6v can someone clarify?

The datasheet says 1.8 to 5.5 V operating range with an absolute maximum rating of 6 V.
This is what the datasheet says about absolute maximum ratings:

This is a stress rating only and functional operation of the device at these
  or other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of this specification is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.

Page 2 of the datasheet says:


Operating Voltage:
1.8 - 5.5V



user368: The datasheet describes the electrical and clock requirements of the chip, and AVR042 describes the external hardware configuration required. Decoupling, analog voltages, external crystal or oscillator if required.

6205: <p>Okay 2 questions. If I am to replace the Arduino with an ATmega328 programmed with a standard blink on pin 13, is this configuration correct, do I still need oscillators and whatnot?</p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/uaFJc.jpg" alt="Simple breadboard circuit with LED on pin 13 of ATmega328"></p>

<p>Second question is, what is the max voltage I can power the ATmega328 with without frying it? I have seen conflicting answers of this on the net. Some have said 5V while some say 6V can someone clarify?</p>
 6936: <p>If you take a look at the <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/standalone" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Standalone Arduino</a> on the Arduino website, then this is what you require:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/EYXT3.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/EYXT3.jpg" alt="Standalone Arduino"></a></p>

<p>Note that there is one slight error in the guide, which I have highlighted here, <a href="https://arduino.stackexchange.com/questions/10392/arduino-standalone-photo-shows-incorrect-pin-wired-to-mosi">Arduino Standalone - photo shows incorrect pin wired to MOSI</a>.</p>

<p>There is a video on how to achieve, more or less, the same thing, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNIMCdVOHOM" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1-Day Project: Build Your Own Arduino Uno for $5</a>.</p>
 10794: <p>I have a page describing <a href="http://www.gammon.com.au/breadboard" rel="nofollow noreferrer">How to make an Arduino-compatible minimal board</a>. The minimal setup would be:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/4NRfB.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/4NRfB.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>That excludes the circuitry for uploading your code.</p>

<p>By the way, in the image in the question you have an LED with no resistor. That will damage both the LED and the Atmega328. You need a <strong>current-limiting resistor</strong>.</p>

<hr>

<blockquote>
  <p>do I still need oscillators</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Not if you program the fuse to use the internal oscillator.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Some have said 5v while some say 6v can someone clarify?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The datasheet says 1.8 to 5.5 V operating range with an <strong>absolute maximum rating</strong> of 6 V.</p>

<p>This is what the datasheet says about absolute maximum ratings:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>This is a stress rating only and functional operation of the device at these
  or other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of this specification is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Page 2 of the datasheet says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <ul>
  <li>Operating Voltage:</li>
  <li>1.8 - 5.5V</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>
 368: <p>The <a href="http://www.atmel.com/images/Atmel-8271-8-bit-AVR-Microcontroller-ATmega48A-48PA-88A-88PA-168A-168PA-328-328P_datasheet_Complete.pdf" rel="nofollow">datasheet</a> describes the electrical and clock requirements of the chip, and <a href="http://www.atmel.com/images/atmel-2521-avr-hardware-design-considerations_applicationnote_avr042.pdf" rel="nofollow">AVR042</a> describes the external hardware configuration required. Decoupling, analog voltages, external crystal or oscillator if required.</p>
