I have five main units (two CIB, Golden Collecion CIB), four power
adapters, Commodore 1541-II disk drives and Commodore 1541C
disk drive.
type computer
country USA
year 1986
os Commodore Basic V2
cpu MOS 6510
speed 0,98 MHz
ram 64 KB
rom 20 KB
graphic 320×200
colors 16
sound 3 voices, 6 octaves
ports RGB, two joysticks, cartridge, tape, serial, user port, RF
The Commodore 64C — The Redesigned Classic
Released in 1986, the Commodore 64C was a cosmetically and internally revised version of the original C64, designed to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining complete software and hardware compatibility. The most visible change was a new, lighter beige case with a slimmer profile — matching the aesthetic of the Commodore 128 and giving the aging C64 design a more contemporary appearance. Internally, the original chips were replaced with newer, more integrated versions: the 8500 CPU (replacing the 6510), the 8562 VIC-IIe (replacing the 6569), and the 8580 SID (replacing the 6581), all fabricated using newer HMOS-II technology that reduced power consumption and heat generation.
The New Chips — Subtle Differences
While the 64C maintained complete compatibility with C64 software, the newer chips introduced some subtle differences that became legendary among C64 enthusiasts. The 8580 SID chip had a slightly different sound character than the original 6581 — its filter behaved differently, producing a cleaner but arguably less ”warm” sound that some musicians preferred and others disliked. Many SID music enthusiasts today specifically seek out original 6581-equipped machines for their preferred sonic character, making the distinction between ”old SID” and ”new SID” a topic of passionate debate in the C64 community.
Commercial Longevity
The 64C continued the original C64’s extraordinary commercial run, remaining in production until 1994 — twelve years after the original C64’s launch. This longevity is remarkable by any standard: a computer designed in six weeks in 1981 was still selling in significant numbers in the early 1990s, long after 16-bit machines had become mainstream. The 64C’s combination of low price, proven software library, and continuing third-party support made it competitive long after its technology had been superseded.