Sothius' Home of Ancient Microcomputers - Commodore 64G (ASSY 250469)

Commodore 64G

C64G logo (7 KBytes)

Commodore 64G

Commodore 64G ASSY 250469 (56 KBytes)

The C64G, this one having been bought in 1989 as part of the 'Video Supergame 64' bundle. Unlike the 'Aldi-C64', which came in a grey/ brown case (similiar to the classic C64, but with white keys), this C64G is cream-coloured, fitting the peripherals introduced with C64C/ C128-series. Shown here is a typical setup with CBM 1541-II diskdrive and CBM 1802 video monitor
(picture copyright by M.A.Grundke)

Specifications

Name Commodore 64G

Made by Commodore Business Machines (CBM)

Released 1989 (indicated by the chips' production dates)
came in the 'Video Supergame 64' bundle (which included the cartridge 'Super Games' and a Commodore joystick)
the earlier Aldi-C64G appeared in 1987

Serial-No. DA4 347604

Board-info
PCB ASSY NO. 250469
PCB NO. 252311 REV.A
this 'BN/E-version' board was also used in later C64C

CPU CSG 8500 (6510 code-compatible, HMOS-2 process)

Speed 985.248 KHz (PAL)/ 1.0227 MHz (NTSC)

RAM SHARP LH5062B MMU (MOS partno. 251715-01)
64 KBytes:
2 pcs. NEC D41464C-10 (64Kx4)
additional SANYO LC3514A-15 (1Kx4 SRAM) for storing screen color data ('color RAM')
up to 16 KBytes can be addressed as video-RAM by VIC-II
expandable to 576 KB/ bankswitched (CBM 1750 RAM-expansion)

ROM/ Native OS C251913-01 Commodore BASIC V2 + CBM C64 Kernal Rev. 3
C901225-01 character-generator ROM
in overall 20 KBytes ROM
In this final C64 board-layout, BASIC and KERNAL-ROM have been merged into one

Keyboard/ Layout 66 keys/ US (QWERTY) layout
latest C64C and C64G (like this particular machine) came with a different keyboard, where the special characters are on top of the keycaps (instead of being printed onto their front)

Graphics CSG 8565R2 'VIC-II' ('Video Interface Controller')
MOS 8701 clock generator
Max.Resolution: 320x200 ('high-res': 2 colors per 8x8 pixels)
Max.Colors: 16 ('multi-color': 160x200 pixels)
Text: 40x25 characters with graphical charset
VIC-II can create up to 256 movable display objects ('sprites'), 8 per line, and max. 21x24 pixels each

this is a PAL-B version; the NTSC-M version of 'VIC-II HMOS-2' is called CSG/MOS 8562

Graphics CSG 8565R2 'VIC-II' ('Video Interface Controller')
MOS 8701 clock generator
Max.Resolution: 320x200 pixels ('high-res')
40x25 attribute cells, each 8x8 pixel in size
2 colors per cell (background, foreground)
Max.Colors: 16 ('multi-color' @ 160x200 pixels)
40x25 attribute cells, each 4x8 pixel in size
4 colors per cell (3 foreground + background)
most common mode for games

with tricks (such as combining two multi-color modes with interlace, or forcing BAD SCAN LINE at each raster line), it is possible to use up to 16 colors per attribute cell, or to increase the palette to 128 colors. However, since these modes all have major drawbacks (such as interlace flicker, extensive CPU- and VIC-cycle usage), they're mostly used for demos
furthermore, VIC-II can create up to 256 movable display objects ('sprites'), 8 per line, and max. 21x24 pixels each
Text: 40x25 characters with graphical charset
this is a PAL-B version; the NTSC-M version of 'VIC-II HMOS-2' is called CSG/MOS 8562

Sound CSG 8580R5 'SID' ('Sound Interface Device')
3 independant voices, each with 9 octave range (0.1Hz-4KHz in 0.059Hz steps)
4 waveforms (sawtooth, triangle, variable pulse & noise)
programmable ADSR (attack, delay, sustain, release) envelope generator
programmable filter, independantly selectable for each voice (low pass, high pass, Band pass, notch outputs)
master volume control

Media
standard Audio-cassettes (via CBM VC-1530 'Datasette')

5.25" disks, 170 KBytes/ disk (all CBM serial drives like CBM 1541, CBM 1541C, CBM 1541-II, CBM 1570 etc)
other CBM-drives via IEE488-interface
3.5" disks (CBM 1581), 800 KBytes/disk
harddisks up to 30 MBytes

Input/ Output 2x CSG 6526A 'CIA' ('Complex Interface Adaptor')
PLA-functions integrated in MMU
2x 9 pin joystick/ mouse/ paddles/ lightpen
44 pin female edge conn. cartridge interface
8 pin DIN-41524 audio/video
6 pin round-DIN CBM serial IEC-bus (printer or up to 5 diskdrives)
12 pin male edge conn. CBM cassetteport
24 pin male edge connector 'user-port' (8 bit, programmable I/O, e.g. used for modems, centronics-adaptors)
RF TV-out
7 pin round-DIN power supply-conn. (9V)

Miscellaneous
The C64G was the last Commodore 64-computer ever sold (except for the C64GS, which was a game-system). It picked up the classical 'bullnose' design again, but with colors fitting the C64C/ C128 line of peripherals (including a green power-LED). The reason for getting away from the beautiful C64C was most probably that many people complained about its smaller case, that didn't allow them to use certain internal expansions

There were two major versions (additions/ corrections welcome!):
the first version, sold in Germany (called 'Aldi-C64G', because it was distributed by the 'Albrecht Discount'-chain) appeared in 1987 and had an early revision of the ASSY 250469-board (REV.3 or even earlier? Rumor mill says this version lacks the user-port 9VAC-signal, making some expansions un-usable, which is not true for 'BN/E'-boards like this 250469). These machines were MADE IN USA, and their case was grey (like the classic C64), but with white keys (like C64C)
the later U.S.-market version came in 1989, still with ASSY 250469 but in higher board revisions (REV.4 or B?)
Maybe Commodore wanted to test the C64G's acceptance before releasing it to the bigger US-market (thus the 'Aldi C64')
This particular machine here came in a bundle called 'Video Supergame 64', which was also sold at Aldi, but in 1989, and it's MADE IN GERMANY (therefore not a real 'Aldi-C64G'). With the 'Aldi', Commodore started a sell-out to end the C64 lifecycle (although they didn't admit it, of course)
Many of these ASSY 250469-boards were also used in the later C64C - that was because, for a long while, both machines were sold simultaneously (probably Commodore wanted to get rid of surplus C64C cases and spares)

All trademarks mentioned on these pages belong to their respective owners (if they still exist). All other content, including pictures is (C) M.A.Grundke (aka Sothius), unless otherwise noted. Unauthorized copying or usage of that content, without former permission from M.A.Grundke or the rightful copyright-holder, is prohibited

Sothius' Home - Museum - Commodore - Commodore 64G - additional pictures

Name	Commodore 64G
Made by	Commodore Business Machines (CBM)
Released	1989 (indicated by the chips' production dates) came in the 'Video Supergame 64' bundle (which included the cartridge 'Super Games' and a Commodore joystick) the earlier Aldi-C64G appeared in 1987
Serial-No.	DA4 347604
Board-info	PCB ASSY NO. 250469 PCB NO. 252311 REV.A this 'BN/E-version' board was also used in later C64C
CPU	CSG 8500 (6510 code-compatible, HMOS-2 process)
Speed	985.248 KHz (PAL)/ 1.0227 MHz (NTSC)
RAM	SHARP LH5062B MMU (MOS partno. 251715-01) 64 KBytes: 2 pcs. NEC D41464C-10 (64Kx4) additional SANYO LC3514A-15 (1Kx4 SRAM) for storing screen color data ('color RAM') up to 16 KBytes can be addressed as video-RAM by VIC-II expandable to 576 KB/ bankswitched (CBM 1750 RAM-expansion)
ROM/ Native OS	C251913-01 Commodore BASIC V2 + CBM C64 Kernal Rev. 3 C901225-01 character-generator ROM in overall 20 KBytes ROM In this final C64 board-layout, BASIC and KERNAL-ROM have been merged into one
Keyboard/ Layout	66 keys/ US (QWERTY) layout latest C64C and C64G (like this particular machine) came with a different keyboard, where the special characters are on top of the keycaps (instead of being printed onto their front)
Graphics	CSG 8565R2 'VIC-II' ('Video Interface Controller') MOS 8701 clock generator Max.Resolution: 320x200 ('high-res': 2 colors per 8x8 pixels) Max.Colors: 16 ('multi-color': 160x200 pixels) Text: 40x25 characters with graphical charset VIC-II can create up to 256 movable display objects ('sprites'), 8 per line, and max. 21x24 pixels each this is a PAL-B version; the NTSC-M version of 'VIC-II HMOS-2' is called CSG/MOS 8562
Graphics	CSG 8565R2 'VIC-II' ('Video Interface Controller') MOS 8701 clock generator Max.Resolution: 320x200 pixels ('high-res') 40x25 attribute cells, each 8x8 pixel in size 2 colors per cell (background, foreground) Max.Colors: 16 ('multi-color' @ 160x200 pixels) 40x25 attribute cells, each 4x8 pixel in size 4 colors per cell (3 foreground + background) most common mode for games with tricks (such as combining two multi-color modes with interlace, or forcing BAD SCAN LINE at each raster line), it is possible to use up to 16 colors per attribute cell, or to increase the palette to 128 colors. However, since these modes all have major drawbacks (such as interlace flicker, extensive CPU- and VIC-cycle usage), they're mostly used for demos furthermore, VIC-II can create up to 256 movable display objects ('sprites'), 8 per line, and max. 21x24 pixels each Text: 40x25 characters with graphical charset this is a PAL-B version; the NTSC-M version of 'VIC-II HMOS-2' is called CSG/MOS 8562
Sound	CSG 8580R5 'SID' ('Sound Interface Device') 3 independant voices, each with 9 octave range (0.1Hz-4KHz in 0.059Hz steps) 4 waveforms (sawtooth, triangle, variable pulse & noise) programmable ADSR (attack, delay, sustain, release) envelope generator programmable filter, independantly selectable for each voice (low pass, high pass, Band pass, notch outputs) master volume control
Media	standard Audio-cassettes (via CBM VC-1530 'Datasette') 5.25" disks, 170 KBytes/ disk (all CBM serial drives like CBM 1541, CBM 1541C, CBM 1541-II, CBM 1570 etc) other CBM-drives via IEE488-interface 3.5" disks (CBM 1581), 800 KBytes/disk harddisks up to 30 MBytes
Input/ Output	2x CSG 6526A 'CIA' ('Complex Interface Adaptor') PLA-functions integrated in MMU 2x 9 pin joystick/ mouse/ paddles/ lightpen 44 pin female edge conn. cartridge interface 8 pin DIN-41524 audio/video 6 pin round-DIN CBM serial IEC-bus (printer or up to 5 diskdrives) 12 pin male edge conn. CBM cassetteport 24 pin male edge connector 'user-port' (8 bit, programmable I/O, e.g. used for modems, centronics-adaptors) RF TV-out 7 pin round-DIN power supply-conn. (9V)
Miscellaneous	The C64G was the last Commodore 64-computer ever sold (except for the C64GS, which was a game-system). It picked up the classical 'bullnose' design again, but with colors fitting the C64C/ C128 line of peripherals (including a green power-LED). The reason for getting away from the beautiful C64C was most probably that many people complained about its smaller case, that didn't allow them to use certain internal expansions There were two major versions (additions/ corrections welcome!): the first version, sold in Germany (called 'Aldi-C64G', because it was distributed by the 'Albrecht Discount'-chain) appeared in 1987 and had an early revision of the ASSY 250469-board (REV.3 or even earlier? Rumor mill says this version lacks the user-port 9VAC-signal, making some expansions un-usable, which is not true for 'BN/E'-boards like this 250469). These machines were MADE IN USA, and their case was grey (like the classic C64), but with white keys (like C64C) the later U.S.-market version came in 1989, still with ASSY 250469 but in higher board revisions (REV.4 or B?) Maybe Commodore wanted to test the C64G's acceptance before releasing it to the bigger US-market (thus the 'Aldi C64') This particular machine here came in a bundle called 'Video Supergame 64', which was also sold at Aldi, but in 1989, and it's MADE IN GERMANY (therefore not a real 'Aldi-C64G'). With the 'Aldi', Commodore started a sell-out to end the C64 lifecycle (although they didn't admit it, of course) Many of these ASSY 250469-boards were also used in the later C64C - that was because, for a long while, both machines were sold simultaneously (probably Commodore wanted to get rid of surplus C64C cases and spares)