Commodore 65: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{Infobox computer | {{Infobox computer | ||
| name | | name = Commodore 65 | ||
| | | photo = [[File:C65alleine (no bg) (balance).jpg|300px|Prototype Commodore 65]] | ||
| | | type = [[Home computer]] | ||
| | | released = Never officially released | ||
| | | discontinued = 1991 (project cancelled) | ||
| | | processor = [[MOS Technology|CSG]] CSG 4510 R3 | ||
| | | memory = 128 KB (expandable to 8 MB) | ||
| | | os = Commodore BASIC 10.0 | ||
| graphics | | graphics = VIC‑III (CSG 4567 R5) | ||
| display | | display = 320×200×256; 640×200×16; 640×400×16; 1280×200×4; 1280×400×4; palette of 4096 colors | ||
| sound | | sound = Dual CSG 8580 SID chips, stereo output | ||
| storage | | storage = Internal 3½″ DSDD floppy (880 KB) | ||
| | | cpuspeed = 3.54 MHz | ||
| predecessor | | predecessor = [[Commodore 64]] | ||
| units shipped= Estimated | | units shipped= Estimated fewer than 200 prototypes | ||
| website | | website = N/A | ||
}} | }} | ||
The ''' | The '''Commodore 65''' (C65, also marketed as the C64DX) was a prototype 8-bit personal computer developed by Commodore Business Machines between 1990 and 1991. Intended as a successor to the [[Commodore 64]], it was designed to offer improved graphics, sound, and storage capabilities while maintaining backward compatibility with C64 software.<ref name="floodgap">Kaiser, Cameron. "Secret Weapons of Commodore: The Commodore 65". Floodgap.com. Accessed 2024. [https://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/65.html]</ref> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Development of the C65 began around 1989–1990, under the guidance of engineers including Fred Bowen, Bill Gardei, Paul Lassa, and Victor Andrade. The project aimed to revitalize the Commodore 64 product line before Commodore redirected its focus to the Amiga series.<ref name="zimmers">Zimmers, Bo. "Commodore 65 Computer". zimmers.net. Accessed 2024. [http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/c65/index.html]</ref> Full development commenced in late 1990, but internal disputes and financial pressures led Commodore chairman Irving Gould to cancel the project in 1991.<ref name="bagnall">Bagnall, Brian. ''On the Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore''. Variant Press, 2005. ISBN 0‑9738649‑0‑7.</ref> | |||
Following | Following Commodore's liquidation in 1994, an estimated 200 prototype units were released onto the collector market.<ref name="floodgap" /> Several units have since been sold at auction, occasionally reaching prices above €20,000.<ref name="slashdot">"The MEGA65: A Modernization of a Classic Commodore Computer". Slashdot, 2021. [https://slashdot.org/story/21/03/01/1529246/the-mega65-a-modernization-of-a-classic-commodore-computer]</ref> | ||
== Technical | == Technical specifications == | ||
'''CPU''': CSG 4510 R3 (based on the 65CE02), running at 3.54 MHz | |||
'''Memory''': 128 KB onboard RAM, expandable to approximately 8 MB via a RAM expansion port on the underside of the case<ref name="zimmers" /> | |||
'''Graphics''': VIC-III (CSG 4567) chip supporting: | |||
320×200 with 256 colors | |||
640×200 or 640×400 with 16 colors | |||
1280×200 or 1280×400 with 4 colors | |||
Hardware blitter, DMA, and genlock support | |||
== | '''Sound''': Dual CSG 8580 SID chips for stereo audio<ref name="floodgap" /> | ||
'''Storage''': Integrated 3½″ double-sided double-density floppy drive (880 KB), compatible with the Commodore 1581 format | |||
'''Operating system''': Commodore BASIC 10.0, including extended graphics and disk commands | |||
== Ports and expansion == | |||
The Commodore 65 included several ports and interfaces: | |||
Two DE-9 joystick ports | |||
50-pin expansion connector and Amiga-style RAM expansion flap | |||
IEC serial port for disk drives | |||
RGB (DE-9F), composite video, RF modulator, and stereo audio outputs | |||
User port (parallel), DMA expansion bus, and built-in floppy controller<ref name="zimmers" /> | |||
== Legacy == | |||
Despite never reaching the market, the Commodore 65 gained near-mythical status among retro computing enthusiasts. Its extreme rarity—fewer than 200 working units are known—has made it one of the most collectible Commodore prototypes ever produced.<ref name="floodgap" /> | |||
=== MEGA65 === | |||
In 2015, the non-profit Museum of Electronic Games & Art (MEGA) launched the '''[[MEGA65]]''', a modern open-source re-implementation of the C65 using FPGA technology.<ref name="slashdot" /> The system builds upon the C65 architecture while adding features for modern usability: | |||
HDMI and composite video output | |||
microSD card storage, Ethernet, USB, and real-time clock | |||
A 45GS02 FPGA-based CPU core clocked at up to 40.5 MHz | |||
Optional 8 MB RAM expansion and accelerated DMA | |||
Full-size mechanical keyboard and functioning floppy drive in a replica Commodore case | |||
Developer preview models shipped in late 2020, followed by retail production units in 2021. As of 2024, the MEGA65 remains in production and is available through official channels.<ref name="slashdot" /> | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
== Further reading == | |||
Kaiser, Cameron. "Secret Weapons of Commodore: The Commodore 65". Floodgap.com. [https://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/65.html] | |||
Bagnall, Brian. ''On the Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore''. Variant Press, 2005. ISBN 0‑9738649‑0‑7 | |||
Zimmers, Bo. "Commodore 65 Computer". zimmers.net. [http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/c65/index.html] | |||
"The MEGA65: A Modernization of a Classic Commodore Computer". Slashdot, 2021. [https://slashdot.org/story/21/03/01/1529246/the-mega65-a-modernization-of-a-classic-commodore-computer] | |||
== External links == | |||
{{commons category|Commodore 65}} | {{commons category|Commodore 65}} | ||
[https://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/65.html Secret Weapons of Commodore – C65 overview] | |||
[https://mega65.org Official MEGA65 site] | |||
[https://www.zock.com/8-Bit/D_C65.HTML 8‑Bit Nirvana – Commodore 65] | |||
[https://devilmaster.altervista.org/hi65.html Hi65 emulator] | |||
[[Category:Commodore computers]] | [[Category:Commodore computers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:43, 26 July 2025
_(balance).jpg) | |
| Type | Home computer |
|---|---|
| Discontinued | 1991 (project cancelled) |
| Units shipped | Estimated fewer than 200 prototypes |
| Operating system | Commodore BASIC 10.0 |
| CPU | CSG CSG 4510 R3 |
| Memory | 128 KB (expandable to 8 MB) |
| Storage | Internal 3½″ DSDD floppy (880 KB) |
| Display | 320×200×256; 640×200×16; 640×400×16; 1280×200×4; 1280×400×4; palette of 4096 colors |
| Graphics | VIC‑III (CSG 4567 R5) |
| Sound | Dual CSG 8580 SID chips, stereo output |
| Predecessor | Commodore 64 |
| Website | N/A |
The Commodore 65 (C65, also marketed as the C64DX) was a prototype 8-bit personal computer developed by Commodore Business Machines between 1990 and 1991. Intended as a successor to the Commodore 64, it was designed to offer improved graphics, sound, and storage capabilities while maintaining backward compatibility with C64 software.[1]
History
Development of the C65 began around 1989–1990, under the guidance of engineers including Fred Bowen, Bill Gardei, Paul Lassa, and Victor Andrade. The project aimed to revitalize the Commodore 64 product line before Commodore redirected its focus to the Amiga series.[2] Full development commenced in late 1990, but internal disputes and financial pressures led Commodore chairman Irving Gould to cancel the project in 1991.[3]
Following Commodore's liquidation in 1994, an estimated 200 prototype units were released onto the collector market.[1] Several units have since been sold at auction, occasionally reaching prices above €20,000.[4]
Technical specifications
CPU: CSG 4510 R3 (based on the 65CE02), running at 3.54 MHz
Memory: 128 KB onboard RAM, expandable to approximately 8 MB via a RAM expansion port on the underside of the case[2]
Graphics: VIC-III (CSG 4567) chip supporting:
320×200 with 256 colors
640×200 or 640×400 with 16 colors
1280×200 or 1280×400 with 4 colors
Hardware blitter, DMA, and genlock support
Sound: Dual CSG 8580 SID chips for stereo audio[1]
Storage: Integrated 3½″ double-sided double-density floppy drive (880 KB), compatible with the Commodore 1581 format
Operating system: Commodore BASIC 10.0, including extended graphics and disk commands
Ports and expansion
The Commodore 65 included several ports and interfaces:
Two DE-9 joystick ports
50-pin expansion connector and Amiga-style RAM expansion flap
IEC serial port for disk drives
RGB (DE-9F), composite video, RF modulator, and stereo audio outputs
User port (parallel), DMA expansion bus, and built-in floppy controller[2]
Legacy
Despite never reaching the market, the Commodore 65 gained near-mythical status among retro computing enthusiasts. Its extreme rarity—fewer than 200 working units are known—has made it one of the most collectible Commodore prototypes ever produced.[1]
MEGA65
In 2015, the non-profit Museum of Electronic Games & Art (MEGA) launched the MEGA65, a modern open-source re-implementation of the C65 using FPGA technology.[4] The system builds upon the C65 architecture while adding features for modern usability:
HDMI and composite video output
microSD card storage, Ethernet, USB, and real-time clock
A 45GS02 FPGA-based CPU core clocked at up to 40.5 MHz
Optional 8 MB RAM expansion and accelerated DMA
Full-size mechanical keyboard and functioning floppy drive in a replica Commodore case
Developer preview models shipped in late 2020, followed by retail production units in 2021. As of 2024, the MEGA65 remains in production and is available through official channels.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Kaiser, Cameron. "Secret Weapons of Commodore: The Commodore 65". Floodgap.com. Accessed 2024. [1]
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Zimmers, Bo. "Commodore 65 Computer". zimmers.net. Accessed 2024. [2]
- ↑ Bagnall, Brian. On the Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore. Variant Press, 2005. ISBN 0‑9738649‑0‑7.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "The MEGA65: A Modernization of a Classic Commodore Computer". Slashdot, 2021. [3]
Further reading
Kaiser, Cameron. "Secret Weapons of Commodore: The Commodore 65". Floodgap.com. [4]
Bagnall, Brian. On the Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore. Variant Press, 2005. ISBN 0‑9738649‑0‑7
Zimmers, Bo. "Commodore 65 Computer". zimmers.net. [5]
"The MEGA65: A Modernization of a Classic Commodore Computer". Slashdot, 2021. [6]