Re: IC question.
Hello sztibi82,
You need to program the chip, unless you are buying it already programmed from whoever designed the project.
The MAX7000S devices can be programmed in-circuit by a jtag interface and freely-available software (from Altera).
Circuit diagrams of the programmer cable that plugs into a PC and then into the jtag socket (which should be on the project board) are available. I don't have time to search, but they are most likely on EDAboard somewhere - just search for "jtag programming lead" or similar. They are very easy to build.
Edit: Go to this thread - there is a schematic of a programming cable in lz5za's post.
Hope this helps,
FoxyRick.