© The Maths Studio (themathsstudio.net)
The original C64 was released in 1982. The computer shown in the video is the updated version of the original C64, dubbed the C64C (released in 1986).
It had 64kB (that's kilobytes) of RAM, which is 250000 to 1000000 times less than an average PC in 2021.
The screen resolution is 320 x 200 (when using 2 colours on screen at any one time) or 160 x 200 (allowing up to 16 colours on-screen at once). The graphics controller supported eight hardware sprites on screen at any one time, although with the right programming strategy and timing, it was possible to have more than eight sprites visible on-screen at once.
The sound chip was revolutionary for its day, capable of three voices, each with programmable attack, decay, sustain and release parameters as well as triangle, sawtooth and pulse shape waveforms. The early version of the sound chip (the original 6581) had a hardware bug that enabled a pseudo fourth voice which was used for certain sound effects which complimented the original three voices.
The 6510 CPU is an enhanced version of the hugely popular 6502 which formed the heart of many brands and models of computers and gaming consoles from the 1980's. The CPU in the C64's released in Australia ran at a clock speed at slightly under 1MHz (0.985MHz or 985KHz).
The operating system was built into ROM and loaded almost immediately on power-up, which allowed the computer to be used for simple tasks. More complex programs and software could be loaded via cartridge, tape or floppy disk.
The BASIC language interpreter was developed by Microsoft and included as part of the operating system.
The video shows my Commodore 64C personal computer connected to the Commodore 1084S CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor.
