---
title: NEC PC 8801 FA
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Japan
cpus:
- Z80 compatible
params:
  name: PC 8801 FA
  image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801fa_1.jpg
  company: /companies/nec
  company_name: NEC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PC 8801 FA
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: NEC
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: N88 BASIC
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke 103 keys separate numeric keypad, function and arrow keys
  - label: CPU
    value: Z80 compatible (mPD70008AC)
  - label: SPEED
    value: 4 or 8 MHz
  - label: RAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 128K (BASIC / MONITOR) + 512 KB (Chineese characters)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 x 25 / 80 x 20 / 40 x 25 / 40 x 20
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640 x 200 / 640 x 400
  - label: COLORS
    value: 8 from a 512 colours palette
  - label: SOUND
    value: YM2608 (6 ch FM + 3 ch PSG + 6 PCM (rhythm) +1 ch 4 bit ADPCM
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 38.5 (W) x 34.3 (D) x 11 (H) cm.
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel printer, Mouse, RGB monitor, Serial
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: 2 x 5.25'' disk-drives
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in Power Supply Unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: 1 expansion slot
  - label: PRICE
    value: 168,000 YEN
  tabs:
  - hardware
  - connectors
  - emulators
  - links
  forum_thread: 397
  hardware:
  - title: DUAL 5.25'' FLOPPY DISCS UNIT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Dual 5.25" Double-side, double-density 320 KB floppy drive unit.\
      The unit uses the 8255 parallel interface. It can be also used with PC-8001/mkII, PC-8801 Series, PC-9801/E/F/M etc.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/nec_pc8001mk2sr_fdunit-s1.jpg
  connectors:
  - title: COMPOSITE VIDEO DIN PLUG
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** VDD 12V\
      **(2)** GND\
      **(3)** Video Out\
      **(4)** NC\
      **(5)** Light pen
    image: /media/museum/connectors/nec_pc8001_compositeplug_1.jpg
  - title: RGB VIDEO DIN PLUG
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** VDD 12V\
      **(2)** GND\
      **(3)** Color clock\
      **(4)** H-SYNC\
      **(5)** V-SYNC\
      **(6)** R\
      **(7)** G\
      **(8)** B
    image: /media/museum/connectors/nec_pc8001_rgbplug_1.jpg
  emulators:
  - title: M88 emulator
    url: http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/
    platform: Windows
    text: Japanese emulator
  - title: PC88 Emulator
    url: http://home.highway.ne.jp/soltin/pc88win.html
    platform: Windows
    text: Japanese emulator
  - title: QUASI88
    url: http://www.117.ne.jp/~show/pc8801/pc88emu2.html
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: Multiplatform emulator
  links:
  - title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
    url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
    text: ''
  related:
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2-sr
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801-fe
  - /museum/nec-pc-88va
  oc_id: 399
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230605033326/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=399
    date: '2023-06-05'
---

The Nec PC-8801FA replaced the PC-88FH.

This machine had really powerful sound functions. 6 FM channels could be separated into left and right. User could thus enjoy stereo sound through headphones or external speakers.

ADPCM could change sound's frequency dynamically. 256 KB of RAM were provided as sound memory buffer. It was larger than main memory.

N88 BASIC offered extended function for controlling these sound features, but not enough. Some of them couldn't be used with BASIC.

The PC-8801FA met a great success in japanese market.

Thanks to **Nomura Hisayuki** for this information

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>