The 6502 CPU Powered a Whole Generation!
The 8-Bit Guy・23 minutes read
The 6502 microprocessor was widely used in computers, game consoles, and even unexpected places like toys and pacemakers, offering competitive performance despite lower clock speeds. Bill Mensch highlights the continued relevance of the 6502 processor in modern times, mentioning customers like hobbyists and life-support systems utilizing the 65c02 variant.
Insights
- The 6502 microprocessor, introduced in 1975 at a price of $25, was a pivotal component in various computers, game consoles, and even unexpected devices like toys and pacemakers, showcasing its versatility and widespread adoption.
- Despite its lower clock speeds compared to competitors, the 6502's unique features, efficient instruction cycles, and compatibility with advanced systems like the Super Nintendo and Apple IIgs demonstrate its enduring performance capabilities, with modern variants reaching speeds of 14 Mhz and supporting enhanced gameplay experiences.
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Recent questions
What computers used the 6502 microprocessor?
Various computers like Apple II, Commodore 64, and Atari.
What unique features did the 6502 microprocessor have?
Operated on both top and bottom of clock pulses.
Where was the 6502 microprocessor used besides computers?
Toys, pacemakers, satellites, and potential future robots.
How did the 6502 microprocessor handle complex games?
Super Nintendo exemplified its capabilities with advanced graphics.
What advancements were made with the 65816 CPU?
16-bit version of the 6502 with enhanced capabilities.
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Summary
00:00
"6502 Microprocessor: Powering 1980s Computers & Consoles"
- The 6502 microprocessor was a key component in numerous computers, arcade machines, and game consoles in the 1980s.
- Computers like the Commodore PET, VIC-20, Apple II, Atari 400 and 800, Oric Atmos, Acorn computers, and BBC micro all utilized the standard 6502 processor.
- Variants of the 6502 were used in computers like the Commodore 64 and 128, Apple III and IIgs, Atari XL and XE series, and game consoles like the Atari 2600, Nintendo NES and Super Nintendo.
- The 6502 was also found in unexpected places like toys, pacemakers, satellites, and potentially in future robots as seen in movies like Terminator and Futurama.
- The 6502 microprocessor was introduced in 1975, initially priced at $25 per unit, significantly cheaper than its competitors like the Motorola 6800.
- In 1977, the 6502 gained popularity with the release of computers like the Apple II and Commodore PET, as well as the Atari 2600 game console.
- The 6502 microprocessor communicated with other chips through an 8-bit data bus, read/write line, and address bus, allowing for data transfer and chip activation.
- The 6502's unique features, like working on both the top and bottom of clock pulses and requiring fewer cycles for instructions, made it competitive with other CPUs of the era.
- Despite running at lower clock speeds (1-4 Mhz), the 6502 performed well against other CPUs, with systems like the Apple IIc Plus and Laser 128 ex2 reaching speeds of 4 Mhz.
- The Super Nintendo, with its advanced graphics co-processors, exemplified the capabilities of the 6502 microprocessor in handling complex games during that era.
11:28
"6502 CPUs: Efficiency and Evolution"
- Super Nintendo and Apple IIgs both use 65816 CPUs, a 16-bit version of the 6502.
- Wolfenstein 3D on SNES relies heavily on the CPU for rendering, despite some graphics acceleration.
- Apple IIgs version of Wolfenstein 3D lacks accelerated graphics features, leading to slower gameplay.
- Apple IIgs with an 8 Mhz accelerator runs almost 3 times faster, allowing for expanded gameplay.
- Modern 6502 versions can run at 14 Mhz, with potential for overclocking.
- Commander X16 game Planet X16 runs smoothly even at 4 Mhz, showcasing CPU efficiency.
- 6502 CPUs handle larger numbers through multiple instructions due to their 8-bit nature.
- Multiplication and division on 6502 CPUs are achieved through bit shifting or lookup tables.
- Bit shifting allows for easy multiplication/division by powers of 2, enhancing speed.
- Western Design Center 65c02 variant introduced new opcodes for faster execution, still compatible with older code.
22:23
"Commander X16: 16-bit capabilities and creators"
- The Commander X16 computer supports the 816 processor, allowing for 16-bit capabilities, although widespread use of the 816 was limited to the Apple IIgs and the Super Nintendo.
- Bill Mensch, one of the original creators of the 6502 and 816 processors, mentions that modern customers of the 6502 include hobbyists like Ben Eater, with additional sales for life-support systems utilizing the 65c02 processor to keep millions of people alive.
