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---
title: Commodore C64
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- '6510'
params:
name: C64
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_2s.jpg
logo: /media/museum/logos/commodore_c64_logo.gif
company: /companies/commodore
company_name: Commodore
specs:
- label: NAME
value: C64
- label: MANUFACTURER
value: Commodore
- label: TYPE
value: Home Computer
- label: ORIGIN
value: U.S.A.
- label: YEAR
value: '1982'
- label: END OF PRODUCTION
value: '1993'
- label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
value: Basic
- label: KEYBOARD
value: Full-stroke 66 keys with 4 function keys
- label: CPU
value: '6510'
- label: SPEED
value: 0.985 MHz (PAL) / 1.023 MHz (NTSC)
- label: CO-PROCESSOR
value: VIC II (Video), SID (Sound)
- label: RAM
value: 64 KB
- label: ROM
value: 20 KB
- label: TEXT MODES
value: 40 columns x 25 lines
- label: GRAPHIC MODES
value: 'several, most used : 320 x 200'
- label: COLORS
value: 16 + 16 border colours
- label: SOUND
value: 3 voices / 9 octaves, 4 waveforms (sound output through TV)
- label: SIZE / WEIGHT
value: 40.4 (W) x 21.6 (D) x 7.5 (H) cm / 1820 g
- label: I/O PORTS
value: video output (composite, chroma/luma and sound in/out), 2 x Joystick plugs, Cardridge slot, Tape interfarce (300 bps), Serial, User Port, TV RF output
- label: BUILT IN MEDIA
value: Cassette unit. Provision for 170 KB 5.25'' floppy disc unit (1541)
- label: POWER SUPPLY
value: External power supply unit
- label: PRICE
value: $595 (USA, 1982) - £229 (U.K. 1984)
tabs:
- photos
- adverts
- hardware
- connectors
- software
- emulators
- links
- docs
- videos
forum_thread: 8
photos:
- title: COMMODORE 64
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_2.jpg
- title: FRONT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_front.jpg
- title: RIGHT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_right-side.jpg
- title: LEFT SIDE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_left-side.jpg
- title: REAR
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_rear.jpg
- title: DETAIL
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_detail1.jpg
- title: 'DETAIL #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_detail2.jpg
- title: KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_keyboard.jpg
- title: FRONT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_hr_front_2.jpg
- title: COMMODORE 64 - GREY CASE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_64_system_s2.jpg
- title: TOP VIEW
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_64_topview_s1.jpg
- title: KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_64_keybcloseup_s1.jpg
- title: BOTH SIDES
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_64_sides_s1.jpg
- title: REAR CONNECTORS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
From left to right:\
• Programmable Expansion port / cartridge slot\
• TV channel adjustment\
• RF/TV aerial video output\
• Audio-Video RGB output\
• Programmable Serial DIN socket\
• Tape recorder connector\
• Programmable IEEE488 user port.
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_64_rearside_s1.jpg
- title: C64 MOTHERBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** IEEE488 standard interface connector. Up to 14 peripherals using this protocol can be connected in chain\
**(2)** Commodore BASIC interpreter 8 KB ROM\
**(3)** Kernel operating system 8 KB ROM\
**(4)** Character generator 4 KB ROM\
**(5)** Commodore specific tape recorder connector\
**(6)** MOS 6510 microprocessor\
**(7)** MOS 6581, also called SID (Sound Interface Device), provides the great sound quality of the C64.\
**(8)** Serial port DIN socket\
**(9)** MOS custom PLA - Programmable Logic Array chip\
**(10)** RGB video and audio outputs DIN socket\
**(11)** RF/TV modulator\
**(12)** These leads allowed an internal add-on SECAM video card to be connected to the main board in the French version\
**(13)** Cartridge/expansion slot cover\
**(14)** Power switch\
**(15)** External power adaptor DIN socket\
**(16)** Joystick DB9 connectors\
**(17)** +5V and +12V power regulators\
**(18)** System clock's quartz - 17.734 MHz\
**(19)** MOS 6569 PAL video controller. NTSC models used a 6567 version\
**(20)** 2114 RAM chip (1K x 4) used to store color information\
**(21)** 64 KB user RAM chips (8 x 4164)\
**(22)** Second CIA - Complex Interface Adaptor, used to manage serial communications with peripherals\
**(23)** Keyboard connector\
**(24)** First CIA.
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore64_mainboard_s2.jpg
- title: TRANSPARENCY
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore64_mainboard_s1.jpg
- title: EVOLUTION OF THE C64 CASE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
C64-1 (top left), C64-2 (top right) and C64-3 (bottom center).
We can't remember where we've found this picture.\
If you're the owner, please email us !)
image: /media/museum/photos/3c64.jpg
- title: GOLDEN C64
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The following information comes from Death Adder :
Until December 1986, 1,000,000 Commodore 64s were sold in Germany. On this occasion, Commodore Buromaschinen GmbH (Commodore's German subsidiary) released a limited edition of a golden C64, serial numbers 1,000,000 to 1,000,199 \[6\], which was presented to the public in the BMW museum in Germany Commodore had rented for this event. One of these machines was donated to the German magazine "64'er" (serial number 1,000,058).
In the middle of the acrylic plate on which it was mounted, you could read:
*GOLDENE EDITION*\
*aus Anlass des 1.000.000sten*\
*C 64 in Deutschland*\
*5. Dezember 1986*
Which translates into:
*GOLDEN EDITION*\
*on the occasion of the 1,000,000th*\
*C 64 in Germany*\
*5th of December, 1986*
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_gold_1.jpg
- title: MEMORY CONFIGURATION
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The C64 offers 64 KB of linear memory. This memory is divided in 6 blocks. 3 of them are intended for the RAM area, and the 3 others for the ROM area, holding the Basic interpreter, the operating system and the input/output routines.
However the C-64 microprocessor has a block switching function which makes it possible to replace instantly a given memory block by another (RAM or ROM). There are thus 3 hidden RAM memory blocks (in blue) which can replace, on request, the corresponding ROM blocks. But these block commutations can only be controlled through assembly language by advanced programmers. Any block switching error results in an immediate and unrecoverable system crash.
**(1)** Block always containing 32 kb RAM.\
**(2)** Block normally containing 8 kb RAM. If an 8 kb ROM cartridge is connected, its content is transferred here.\
**(3)** Block normally containing 8 kb RAM. If a 16 kb ROM cartridge is connected, its content is transferred in blocks (RAM) 2 and 3.\
**(4)** Block always containing 4 kb RAM.\
**(5)** Block normally containing 4 kb RAM for Inputs/Outputs. Can be replaced by the character generator which then can be modified.\
**(6)** Block normally containing the Kernel operating system. Can be replaced by 8 kb RAM.
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_64_memoryconfig_1.jpg
- title: BOX
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/photos/commodore_c64_box_1.jpg
adverts:
- title: U.S. ADVERT (1982)
subtitle: ''
text: |-
One of the first 1982 U.S. Advert.
Advert said
THE COMMODORE 64 COULD BE THE MICROCOMPUTER INDUSTRY'S OUTSTANDING NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTION SINCE THE BIRTH OF THIS INDUSTRY. (Shearson / American Express)
The value of a computer is determined by what it can do. What it can do is largely determined by its memory.\
The Commodore 64's basic RAM is 64K. This amount of power is unusual in a micro at any price.\
At $595 it is astonishing.\
Compared with an Apple II+, for instance, the Commodore 64 offers 33% more power and considerably les than 50% of the cost.\
Compared with anything else, it's even more impressive...
If you've been waiting for the "computer revolution", consider it as having arrived...
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_64_pub_3.jpg
- title: 'U.S. ADVERT (1982) #2'
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_64_pub_4.jpg
- title: ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: Picture courtesy of [Steve Browning, www.sbrowning.com/vintage](http://www.sbrowning.com/vintage).
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_c64_pub_1.jpg
- title: UK ADVERT (1984)
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to Tony Mattson for this picture
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore-64_uk-pub_2.jpg
- title: UK ADVERT, OCT 1983
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The first sentence of this advert is:\
*The new Commodore 64 is the most powerful personal computer available to the businessman.*\
Which wasn't totally true, even totally false.
The picture is also totally unrealistic. Each detail sounds false.\
The C64 never was a business system, but a perfect home computer.
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_64_pub_s5.jpg
- title: SWEDISH ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/stupid_sweden-commodore.jpg
- title: NEW ZEALAND ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: dated February 1984 from Bits & Bytes magazine
image: null
- title: GERMAN ADVERT
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to Christian Hart for this scan
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_c64_vc20_pub-de_1.jpg
- title: 'GERMAN ADVERT #2'
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to Christian Hart for this scan
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_c64_pub-de_1.jpg
- title: 'GERMAN ADVERT #3'
subtitle: ''
text: Thanks to Christian Hart for this scan
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_c64_pub-de_2.jpg
- title: ITALIAN AD
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_64_aditaly_1.jpg
- title: 'ABCDARY ADVERT #1'
subtitle: ''
text: from PCW UK magazine (November 1984)
image: null
- title: 'ABCDARY ADVERT #2'
subtitle: ''
text: from PCW UK magazine (November 1984)
image: null
- title: 'ABCDARY ADVERT #3'
subtitle: ''
text: from PCW UK magazine (November 1984)
image: null
- title: 1983 BADGES
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore__64_badges_1.jpg
- title: FRENCH PRICE LIST
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This is a part of a complete French price list of the C64 and VIC-20, including peripherals, accessories and software.\
You can download the complete version.
Thanks to **Jacques Sorro**
image: /media/museum/pubs/commodore_64_frpricelist_s1.jpg
hardware:
- title: 1530 C2N
subtitle: Tape-recorder
text: The classic Commodore tape-recorder !
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_tape-recorder-1530-c2n_1.jpg
- title: TURBOMASTER CPU
subtitle: ''
text: The TurboMaster completely replaced the c=64 processor chip, resulting in high speed operations and games. It was also a disk accelerator.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_turbomaster_1.jpg
- title: CMD SUPERCPU
subtitle: ''
text: |-
The SuperCPU by Creative Micro Devices is an accelerator cartridge for the Commodore 64. It contains an W65C816S processor running at 20 MHz, providing 20 times the performance of the stock 6510 processor! CMD later added a SuperRAM Card option that could include up to 16 MB of additional memory. There is also a v2 version that offers native 128 mode support (also called SuperCPU/128). It is one of the most sought-after Commodore peripherals.
Thomas Conté
image: /media/museum/hardware/c64_supercpu.jpg
- title: CMD RAMLINK
subtitle: ''
text: |-
This RAM expansion unit by Creative Micro Devices was intended to be used as a RAM drive to accelerate disk access. It is externally powered, and thus will preserve the data even when the computer is turned off.
Thomas Conté
image: /media/museum/hardware/c64_cmd_ramlink.jpg
- title: FLOPPY DISK UNIT 1540-1541
subtitle: ''
text: |-
It is connected to the C64 via a serial link.\
It is very very slow and can store 170 kb per disk.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore-diskdrive_1540_1.jpg
- title: QUICK DATA DRIVE
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**Cheaper and faster than diskettes.**
This Quick Data Drive from Dean Electronics is dedicated to Commodore 64 and <$252$>Vic 20 systems. It uses a special tape called 'Wafer', of 16, 64 or 128 Kb capacity. This wafer was also used by a product marketed for the <$223$>Sinclair Spectrum, called Wafadrive. Various tests proved that the Q.D.D. was approximately 20 times faster than a normal cassette recorder and 2 or 3 times faster than the Commodore 1541 disk drive. The reason : data transfer routines (called QOS) much more efficient than those of Commodore, and a file management operating system (FMU) much more modern and powerful.
The Q.D.D. is however not more than an advanced tape recorder using a magnetic tape, and the delay to access a specific file still remains higher than with a normal disk drive. Despite its qualities, the Q.D.D. did not meet success because most C64 software was sold on disks or tapes and users had to acquire both Commodore peripherals before investing in a third powerful storage system.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_quick_data_1.jpg
- title: CMD HD-20
subtitle: 20Mb hard-drive
text: This is a hard drive for the C64 or 128. SWAP-Devicenumber-Buttons let the HD become drive 8 or 9. It can create sub-directories and partitions, including 1541 emulation.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_cmd-hd20_1.jpg
- title: KOALA PAD TOUCH TABLET
subtitle: ''
text: The Koala Pad graphic tablet was delivered with Koala Painter software. It was then very easy to create complex drawings in a few minutes while holding the Koala Pad in the hand.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore64_koalapad_1.jpg
- title: 1764 RAM EXTENSION
subtitle: ''
text: This 1764 (256kb) ram extension was upgraded to a 1750 (512kb) by Software Support International. It could be used on either a C64 (with a heavier power supply) or C128 and was mainly used as an advanced RAM drive.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_1764ramexp_s1.jpg
- title: MAGIC MOUSE
subtitle: ''
text: 'It is called Magic Mouse, it is manufactured in the U.S.A. by SMC Supplies Co. and it seems that it is the first mouse for C-64. Why a mouse ? Initially to answer the increasing competition of the young <$271$>Apple Macintosh and its Window-Mouse concept which starts to meet with great success. But, a mouse without adapted software is useless. SMC thus added 4 programs in the box, usable only with Magic Mouse : Hi-Res Designer, Sprite Designer, Icon Designer and Mouse Controller. In fact, these four applications were not very useful and few other programs were then conceived for this mouse, so it quickly disappeared.'
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_mouse_1.jpg
- title: APROTEK APROSPAND 64 CARTRIDGE EXPANDER
subtitle: ''
text: This is used as an expansion port expander. It enables for example to plug-in 4 cartridges and select the one you want to use. Can also be used with a C128.
image: /media/museum/hardware/aprotek-aprospand-64_cartridge-expander.jpg
- title: SPARTAN
subtitle: Apple II emulator
text: The Spartan was advertised as offering 100% Apple II+ emulation and other features, all for the low price of US $599. It actually turned out to be a package to transfer and re-compile BASIC programs on the C64.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_adspartan_s1.jpg
- title: THE FINAL CARTRIDGE III
subtitle: by Riska B.V.
text: The Final Cartridge III was a popular extension cartridge which was created for the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128, produced by Riska B.V. Home & Personal Computers. It offered a fast loader, increasing the speeds of the disk drive, and a freezer, allowing the program execution to be stopped to be resumed later. More info [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Final_Cartridge_III)
image: /media/museum/hardware/final-cartridge-iii_1.jpg
- title: POWER CARTRIDGE
subtitle: from KCS
text: |-
This cartridge offers:\
\- Power toolkit\
\- Power monitor\
\- Tape & Disk turbo\
\- Printer tool\
\- Power reset\
\- Total backup
...for your Commodore 64 or 128
image: /media/museum/hardware/power-cartridge-c64_1.jpg
- title: POWER CARTRIDGE
subtitle: rear
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/power-cartridge-c64_2.jpg
- title: VICMODEM
subtitle: Advert
text: You could already send emails !!
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_vicmodem_pub_1.jpg
- title: MODEM 300
subtitle: ''
text: |-
There were two versions of this 300-baud modem:\
**1650**: with pulse dialer\
**1660**: with Pulse and tone dialer\
It plugged directly into the User port.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_modem300_s1.jpg
- title: MODEM 1200 (MODEL 1670)
subtitle: from Commodore
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_modem1200_1.jpg
- title: MODEM 1200 (MODEL 1670)
subtitle: rear
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_modem1200_rear_1.jpg
- title: MODEM 1200 (MODEL 1670)
subtitle: Box
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_modem1200_box.jpg
- title: MODEM 1200 (MODEL 1670)
subtitle: Box - rear
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_modem1200_box-rear.jpg
- title: PASSPORT
subtitle: MIDI interface
text: The Passport Designs MIDI Interface is one of three different Midi Interface units that were made for the Commodore. It's said that the Passport was the Best design and was the most Software-supported model available.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_passport-midi-interface_1.jpg
- title: MUSIC MAKER
subtitle: Promotional picture
text: Music Maker was a powerful music editor using all the C64 internal sound generator features. Software was delivered with a special 2 octaves piano keyboard which fitted on top of the computer.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_musicmaker_prm.jpg
- title: VOCAL SYNTHESIZER
subtitle: from Technimusique (France)
text: Thanks to Stamba for this picture
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_synthe-vocal.jpg
- title: WERSIBOARD MUSIC 64
subtitle: ''
text: Thomas Conté
image: /media/museum/hardware/c64_wersiboard.jpg
- title: MODEL 64 SEQUENCER
subtitle: from Sequential Circuits Inc
text: |-
This synthesizer fits in the cartridge slot of the C64. It has a MIDI interface with 2 plugs (IN & OUT). It can record 5 different sequences of 6 tracks each, with a total capacity of 4000 notes. But it doesn't have a "step by step" record mode.
This thing cost 2260 fr in december 84 (France).
image: /media/museum/hardware/sequential-circuits_64-sequencer_1.jpg
- title: MODEL 64 SEQUENCER
subtitle: detail
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/sequential-circuits_64-sequencer_2.jpg
- title: MUSICAL KEYBOARD
subtitle: ''
text: This is a funny extension that fits on top of the C64 keyboard, thus emulating a piano keyboard. Of course, a music program is sold with it.
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_musical-keyboard.jpg
- title: SOUND SAMPLER
subtitle: from Commodore & SFX Computer Software
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_sound-sampler_box_1.jpg
- title: SOUND SAMPLER
subtitle: Back of the box
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_sound-sampler_box_2.jpg
- title: SOUND EXPANDER
subtitle: from Commodore
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_sound-expander_hr_front_1.jpg
- title: SOUND EXPANDER
subtitle: left view
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_sound-expander_hr_left_1.jpg
- title: SOUND EXPANDER
subtitle: right view
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_sound-expander_hr_right_1.jpg
- title: SOUND EXPANDER
subtitle: Box - front
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_sound-expander_hr_box_front.jpg
- title: SOUND EXPANDER
subtitle: Box - rear
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_sound-expander_hr_box_rear.jpg
- title: MAGIC VOICE
subtitle: from Commodore
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_magic-voice_1.jpg
- title: MAGIC VOICE
subtitle: left view
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_magic-voice_left_1.jpg
- title: MAGIC VOICE
subtitle: right view
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_magic-voice_right.jpg
- title: DIGIDRUM FROM DCS
subtitle: Professional Digital Drum Computer
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/dcs_digidrum-c64_1.jpg
- title: DIGIDRUM
subtitle: Rear
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/dcs_digidrum-c64_2.jpg
- title: DIGIDRUM
subtitle: Box
text: ''
image: /media/museum/hardware/dcs_digidrum-c64_box.jpg
- title: CURRAH SPEECH 64
subtitle: Speech synthesizer
text: When plugged into the expansion slot and audio/video DIN socket of a Commodore 64, new BASIC commands are added, allowing the user to produce computerised speech with all sorts of variations.
image: /media/museum/hardware/currah-speech-64_1.jpg
- title: MODEL 1525
subtitle: ''
text: It can print all the semi graphic characters of the C64. (30 characters per second)
image: /media/museum/hardware/commodore_printer_1525_1.jpg
connectors:
- title: CONNECTORS EXPLAINED
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**(1)** The expansion port is a 44 pins flat connector which allows direct access to address and data lines. It is used by ROM cartridges, parallel and IEEE interfaces and can be connected to any cards holding ROM or EPROM programs.
b>(1) GND **(2)** + 5V **(3)** + 5V **(4)** IRQ (Interruption Request) **(5)** R/W Read/Write validation **(6)** Dot Clock **(7)** I/O 1 **(8)** GAME **(9)** XROM **(10)** I/O 2 **(11)** ROML **(12)** BA **(13)** DMA (Direct Memory Access) **(14)** D7 (Data lines) **(15)** D6 **(16)** D5 **(17)** D4 **(18)** D3 **(19)** D2 **(20)** D1 **(21)** D0 **(22)** GND
**(A)** GND **(B)** ROMH **(C)** RESET **(D)** Non maskable interruption **(E)** S02 **(F)** A15 (address lines) **(H)** A14 **(J)** A13 **(K)** A12 **(L)** A11 **(M)** A10 **(N)** A9 **(P)** A8 **(R)** A7 **(S)** A6 **(T)** A5 **(U)** A4 **(V)** A3 **(W)** A2 **(X)** A1 **(Y)** A0 **(Z)** GND
**(2)** The user port is a 24 pins flat connector. It can be programmed and used for parallel or serial communications. It can also communicate with all kind of external periperals or even another computer.
**(1)** GND **(2)** + 5V **(3)** INIT **(4)** CNT1 (CIA1 counter) **(5)** R/W (Read/Write Validation) **(6)** CNT2 (CIA2 counter) **(7)** SP2 CIA2 serial port **(8)** PC2 (communication start) **(9)** ATN **(10)** +9V ac **(11)** -9V ac **(12)** GND
**(3)** The serial port is a 6 pins DIN connector which can be used with Commodore serial printers and 1541 disk drive unit. The OPEN Basic statement always calls this port. Some PET peripherals can also be connected to this port, ie. 4040 disk drive unit.
**(1)** SRQIN (Requested Service) **(2)** GND **(3)** ATN (Attention signal to connected peripherals) **(4)** CLK (Synchronization clock) **(5)** DATA (Data transfer line) **(6)** RESET (Port Init)
image: /media/museum/connectors/commodore_c64_connectorsexplained.jpg
- title: POWER SUPPLY PINOUTS
subtitle: ''
text: |-
**1** - shield ground\
**2** - shield ground\
**3** - shield ground\
**4** - +5V DC In @ 1.5A\
**5** - not connected\
**6** - 9V AC in @ 1A\
**7** - 9V AC in @ 1A
9 volts needed for VIC, SID, VIA's clock & tape motor.
image: /media/museum/connectors/commodore_c64_psu-pinout.gif
screenshots:
- title: 720°
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_720degrees.gif
- title: ARCADE CLASSICS
subtitle: from Firebird
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_arcade_classics_firebird.gif
- title: ARKANOID
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_arkanoid.gif
- title: AZTEC CHALLENGE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_aztec_challenge.gif
- title: BARBARIAN
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_barbarian.gif
- title: BC'S QUEST FOR TIRES
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_bc_quest_for_tires.gif
- title: BMX SIMULATOR
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_bmx_simulator.gif
- title: BOULDERDASH
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_boulderdash.gif
- title: BREAK DANCE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_break_dance.gif
- title: BRUCE LEE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_bruce_lee.gif
- title: GAUNTLET
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_gauntlet_1.gif
- title: GAUNTLET
subtitle: Characters choice screen
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_gauntlet_2.gif
- title: GHOSTBUSTERS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_ghostbusters.gif
- title: THE GOONIES
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_goonies.gif
- title: GYROSCOPE
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_gyroscope2.gif
- title: GREAT GIANA SISTERS
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_sisters.gif
- title: 3D PINBALL
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_3d_pinball.gif
- title: ALIEN III
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_alien_3.gif
- title: ARCHON
subtitle: ''
text: ''
image: /media/museum/software/c64_ss_archon.gif
emulators:
- title: CCS64
url: http://www.ccs64.com/
platform: Windows
text: The best C64 emulator for the PC
- title: Free64
url: http://www.umr.edu/~bmartin/
platform: Windows
text: A Freeware emulator for MS DOS
- title: MESS
url: http://www.mess.org
platform: Windows
text: This fantastic emulator can emulate the mlost of the 8-bit Commodore systems
- title: Win 64
url: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/6558/win64.htm
platform: Windows
text: The Best C64 Emulator for Win95 / WinNT
- title: Win64
url: http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/park/6558/win64.htm
platform: Windows
text: Good Commodore 64 for Windows
- title: Mac Frodo
url: http://internetter.com/titan/macfrodo/
platform: Apple
text: The MAC OS version of Frodo, one of the best C64 Emulator
- title: Power 64
url: http://www.infinite-loop.at/Power64/index.html
platform: Apple
text: Emulator for PPC Macintoshes
- title: SID PLay
url: http://stud1.tuwien.ac.at/~e9426444/sidplay/
platform: Apple
text: A player for C64 Musics
- title: ccs
url: http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/crossplatform/emulators/unix/
platform: Unix / Linux
text: C64 emulator for Unix
- title: Frodo for Amiga OS
url: http://www.uni-mainz.de/~bauec002/FRMain.html
platform: Amiga OS
text: The best C64 Emulator for Amiga
- title: VICE for Amiga OS4
url: http://amidog.se/amiga/vice/
platform: Amiga OS
text: This AmigaOS4 version is ported by Mathias "AmiDog" Roslund
- title: c64.gr
url: http://www.c64.gr/
platform: Other platform
text: C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser!
- title: C-ONE
url: http://c64upgra.de/c-one/
platform: Other platform
text: Hardware emulator (re-configurable computer)
- title: Frodo for PalmOS
url: http://frodopalm.sourceforge.net/
platform: Other platform
text: Frodo for PalmOS
- title: VICE
url: http://viceteam.bei.t-online.de/
platform: Other platform
text: Emulates the C64, C128, VIC20, all the PET models and the CBM-II under Unix, MS-DOS, Win95/NT, OS/2, Acorn RISC OS or BeOS !!
- title: Web C64
url: http://www.dreamfabric.com/c64/
platform: Other platform
text: The 64 as a Java applet in your Browser. Excellent !
- title: C=64 Emulator for OS/2 Full Screen
url: http://home.hccnet.nl/w.m.brul/emulator/index.html
platform: OS2
text: Freeware emulator for OS/2
links:
- title: C64.COM
url: http://www.c64.com/
text: Excellent and beautifully designed site, full of games to download. A must
- title: c64.gr
url: http://www.c64.gr/
text: C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser!
- title: 'c64files.com :: the ultimate C64 portal!'
url: http://www.c64files.com/
text: News, Gaming, Music, Museum, Links etc.
- title: Commodore 64 -
url: http://folkvagn.commodore64.org
text: Info about the C64 and successors, C64 emulators and the SID chip. Also contains C64 programs and a forum. In Swedish only.
- title: Commodore 64 Game Endings
url: http://www.c64endings.co.uk/
text: All your fave C64 game endings under one roof.
- title: Commodore 64 Nostalgia
url: http://www.staggs.pair.com/c64/
text: ''
- title: Commodore Scene Magazine and Importing Service
url: http://www.commodorescene.org.uk/
text: New publications, hardware and software for the Commodore 128/128d and C64
- title: Commodore Service Manuals
url: http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/
text: Commodore Service Manuals & other stuff
- title: Commodore-64 Programmer's Library
url: http://home.comcast.net/~c64proglib
text: many of Robert Baker's early original magazine articles, programs and programming tips (not free)
- title: Commodore-related Net Resources
url: http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/netresources.html
text: ''
- title: Good Old Games
url: http://speccy.altervista.org/
text: Many games with screenshot comparisons, download and magazines
- title: Greg and David's C64 Web page
url: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gvincent/
text: ''
- title: HV C64 CD's - The ultimate CD set full of software for the C64
url: http://www.talent.demon.co.uk/64/
text: ''
- title: LEMON 64
url: http://www.lemon64.com/
text: The source for all Your Commodore 64 Gaming and News needs ! Quite impressive !!!
- title: Mayhem64
url: http://www.mayhem64.co.uk/main.htm
text: For all your C64 cartridge needs... and more!
- title: Remixes of music from C-64 games
url: http://remix.kwed.org
text: Hear the tunes from your fav C64 games like you've never heard them before!
- title: Stadium 64
url: http://s64.emuunlim.com/
text: Are you a sportgaming fan? Then this site is definitely for you! Over 1000 sportgames available for download. Lots of manuals, reviews, covers, adverts, screenshots, hints&tips, world records + a lot more!
- title: The Commodore 8-bit WWW server
url: http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/
text: ''
- title: The Secrets Weapons of Commodore
url: http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/
text: Awesome website ! Presents all the weird systems imagined by Commodore.
- title: The Star Commander homepage
url: http://sta.c64.org/sc.html
text: ''
- title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
text: This is a bulletin board run on a Commodore 64!
docs:
- title: COMMODORE 64 USER MANUAL
url: http://project64.c64.org/hw/c64.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/commodore_c64_user_manual.jpg
text: |-
[**COMMODORE 64 USER MANUAL**](http://project64.c64.org/hw/c64.html)written by Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
 compiled/archived by Frank Jeno Kontros\
 type of document : TXT\
 source : [project64.c64.org](http://project64.c64.org/)
**... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
- title: COMMODORE 64 USER'S GUIDE
url: http://project64.c64.org/hw/c64.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/commodore_c64_user_guide.jpg
text: |-
[**COMMODORE 64 USER'S GUIDE**](http://project64.c64.org/hw/c64.html)written by Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
 compiled/archived by Jeno Kontros\
 type of document : TXT\
 source : [Project 64](http://project64.c64.org/)
- title: COMMODORE 64 SERVICE MANUAL
url: http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/C64/Service_Manual/front_page.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/vide.gif
text: |-
[**COMMODORE 64 SERVICE MANUAL**](http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/C64/Service_Manual/front_page.html)written by Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
 compiled/archived by Sami Rautiainen\
 type of document : HTML\
 source : [Sami Rautiainen's website](http://www.devili.iki.fi/)
- title: COMMODORE 64 PROGRAMMER'S REFERENCE GUIDE
url: http://project64.c64.org/hw/c64.html
cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/commodore_c64_programmer_reference_guide.jpg
text: |-
[**COMMODORE 64 PROGRAMMER'S REFERENCE GUIDE**](http://project64.c64.org/hw/c64.html)written by Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
 compiled/archived by Sami Rautiainen\
 type of document : RTF\
 source : [Project 64](http://www.project64.org/)
videos:
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Price comparison
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okHAmAxztNk
text: 'Length: 31 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Elephant memory
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa2Wd72tddk
text: 'Length: 30 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Elephant on a ring
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxn7Foa9kAc
text: 'Length: 17 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Elephants
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N2QPm4SWAM
text: 'Length: 12 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Elephant & mouse
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO6SqKpabFo
text: 'Length: 31 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_YAbZjTBMI
text: 'Length: 31 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - ask computers
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=796KD4SNzwE
text: 'Length: 31 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - are you keeping up ?
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_f3uIzEIxo
text: 'Length: 31 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg8ohNF95Y8
text: 'Length: 11 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Atari 800
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utLEuyNqVLI
text: 'Length: 12 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Apple II
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyiUH9NmX0U
text: 'Length: 12 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - Family package
url: http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-3448226638968914883&hl=fr
text: 'Length: 31 s'
- title: Commodore 64 commercial - -50%on software
url: http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-7436618317238506620&hl=fr
text: 'Length: 30 s'
- title: Commodore 64 Classics (28 Games)
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhNJ0ifIZJo
text: 'Length: 4 min 13 s'
- title: C64 assembly line pictures!
url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzfJLVS2YI
text: 'Length: 6 min 56 s'
oc_id: 98
source:
url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230510155753/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=98
date: '2023-05-10'
---
The commodore 64 is, along with the [Apple II](/museum/apple-ii/) and the Atari XL computers, the most famous home computer. According to the 2001 edition of Guinness book of records, the C64 was the most "prolific computing device ever manufactured". During its production run from 1982 to... 1993, about 30 million (!) units were sold. To put this number in perspective, that's more than all the Macintoshes in the world.
The C64 was an up-market version of the VIC-20. A wide range of software packages, games and programming languages was available for this machine which was itself available practically anywhere from a toyshop to a business supplier.
Superficially, the C64 closely resembled the VIC-20. It had the same casing, an identical keyboard configuration and virtually the same interfaces and sockets. But the apparent similarity belies some fundamental differences: a MOS 6510 processor and 64 KB of RAM which was quite unusually large at the time for a model of this price range. The C64 also had the ability to recognise user-established priorities by which 'sprites' (or movable blocks) could move independently of displayed text/graphics, enabling the creation of graphics with up to 8 layers.
Music synthesis was performed by a special sound interface chip. Sound envelope could be controlled on all three voices on a full nine octave of each. It was one of the first computers to offer both a high quality sound chip and graphic resolution with many colors and sprites.
A great range of peripherals was developed for this computer and it can also use several of the Vic 20 peripherals.
Several versions of the Commodore 64 were launched :\
The first one, **C64-1**, used the VIC 20 case and was to be quickly replaced with the **C64-2** (pictured) which used the famous brown case, and later by the **C64-3** with small cosmetic changes in the keyboard.\
A special version called Educator 64 or PET64 or CBM 4064 was proposed for schools and uses the PET case.\
Commodore produced the first generation of C64s until May 1986, then it was discontinued and they introduced the C64C. According to the 64'er magazine, this version has been planned since the Hannover Fair in 1985, but as the old version sold so well during Christmas '85, its release date was delayed.\
Then appeared the C64 "Aldi" (1987, only in Germany) and the C64G (1989). They were virtually same machines, this time with the new, short motherboard. So, although the case might look the same and the label says "Commodore 64", the boards may be completely different.\
Finally, the C64GS game console was released in 1990. Basically it was a re-boxed C64, without a keyboard or any other interfaces, except for the cartridge slot on top.
---
**Bob Van Sickle** reports:\
The C 64 was originally developed as a video game machine engine to be used in video arcades. The idea was to have a basic machine which could be programmed for a different game when the previous one became out-of-favor, and one would not have to trash the machine. Hence the good sound and graphics capabilities. What happened? The market here in the states for game arcades collapsed, and Commodore attempted to recoup their investment. This well documented in an article published by the IEEE "Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineering" which I read, but cannot recall the year.
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