Commodore 65
| File:Commodore logo 1980s.svg | |
| Developer | Commodore International |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Commodore |
| Type | Home computer |
| Discontinued | 1991 |
| Operating system | Commodore BASIC 10.0 |
| CPU | MOS Technology 4510 @ 3.54 MHz (based on the 65CE02) |
| Memory | 128 KB – 1 MB RAM (expandable to 8 MB) |
| Storage | Internal 3.5″ floppy disk drive, cartridge slot |
| Display | 320×200, 640×200, 640×400; 256 colors from 4096 |
| Graphics | VIC-III graphics chip |
| Sound | 2× MOS Technology 8580 SID chips (stereo output) |
| Backward compatibility | Partial Commodore 64 software compatibility |
| Predecessor | Commodore 64, Commodore 128 |
| Successor | Unofficially succeeded by the Amiga series |
The Commodore 65 (also known as the C65 or "C64DX") was a prototype 8-bit home computer developed by Commodore International in the early 1990s. Designed as an enhanced successor to the Commodore 64, it combined backward compatibility with new hardware capabilities such as improved graphics, expanded memory, and a built-in 3.5″ floppy drive. Although the system never reached commercial release, it is considered one of the most advanced 8-bit computers ever created.
History
The Commodore 65 project began internally at Commodore around 1990, under the name "C64DX." The goal was to provide a high-end 8-bit system for home users—retaining C64 compatibility while offering features comparable to early 16-bit systems. At the time, Commodore's more powerful Amiga series had already been released, but management hoped the C65 could fill a transitional role for existing 8-bit users.
The C65 featured a redesigned motherboard, new video and sound chips, and the advanced Commodore BASIC 10.0. Despite nearing completion, the project was discontinued in 1991 as Commodore faced worsening financial problems and shifted focus entirely to the Amiga product line.
Specifications
CPU
The C65 used the **MOS 4510**, a custom chip based on the enhanced **65CE02** core, running at 3.54 MHz—more than three times faster than the 1.02 MHz **MOS 6510** used in the C64.
Memory
- 128 KB to 1 MB RAM (expandable up to 8 MB via memory banking)
- 128 KB ROM containing BASIC 10.0 and KERNAL
- 8 KB character ROM
Storage
- Built-in 3.5″ double-density floppy drive (Commodore 1581-compatible, ~800 KB capacity)
- Commodore 64-compatible cartridge port
- Serial IEC port for external drives
Display and Graphics
Graphics were handled by the **VIC-III** chip, offering significant improvements over the C64’s VIC-II:
- Resolutions: 320×200, 640×200, 640×400 (interlaced)
- Colors: Up to 256 simultaneous colors from a 4096-color palette
- Text modes: 40 and 80 columns
- Enhanced scrolling, hardware sprites, and split-screen features
Audio
The C65 included support for **two** MOS 8580 SID chips, enabling stereo sound output. Each chip provided:
- 3 voices with multiple waveforms
- Filters, modulation, and envelope controls
- Compatibility with C64 SID-based software
Software
Commodore BASIC 10.0
The C65 shipped with **BASIC 10.0**, a major upgrade from the BASIC 2.0 used in the Commodore 64. It introduced:
- Structured programming (IF...THEN...ELSE, DO...LOOP)
- Advanced file handling and graphics commands
- Disk directory access and floppy formatting from BASIC
BASIC 10.0 was stored in ROM alongside an updated KERNAL. While the system retained some backward compatibility, software relying on specific memory addresses, timing, or the VIC-II graphics were often incompatible.
Legacy and Collectibility
Although the Commodore 65 was never released commercially, an estimated **50 to 200 prototype units** were manufactured before the project was cancelled. In the mid-1990s, these were sold off as surplus during Commodore’s liquidation. Due to their rarity, C65 units have become highly valuable collector's items, with some selling for over **$30,000 USD** at auction.[1]
Emulation and Successors
The C65 is supported in modern emulators such as VICE, and ROMs have been preserved for archival purposes. Due to the system’s unfinished status, emulation is incomplete but usable for testing.
The most notable legacy of the C65 is the creation of the MEGA65—a modern, open-source recreation of the Commodore 65 developed by the German non-profit MEGA Museum of Electronic Games & Art. Released in the 2020s, the MEGA65 uses FPGA hardware to replicate and extend the C65’s architecture, and includes modern I/O such as HDMI, Ethernet, and SD card support.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ "Rare Commodore 65 fetches $30,000 on eBay". PCWorld. January 8, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ↑ "MEGA65 Official Website". Retrieved June 1, 2024.