These are replica Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) derived from the Commodore 64 8-bit computer.
The boards were created to allow Commodore 64 computers that had damaged or faulty PCBs to be successfully repaired. This can be achieved by moving all components from an original board to the replica board, or even replace some parts with more modern alternatives.
We currently have 2 x replica board models available:
- Assembly #250407
- Assembly #250466
Assembly #250407
This board design was one of the earliest used by Commodore. It requires 8 x 8KB RAM ICs and many logic ICs as well as the commodore custom ICs:
- 6526 CIAs (2)
- Basic, Kernal and Char ROMs
- 6510 Processor
- PLA
- 6581 SID
- VIC II Video Controller
Assembly #250466
This board was the last to be produced by Commodore that used the original set of custom ICs:
- 6526 CIAs (2)
- Basic, Kernal and Char ROMs
- 6510 Processor
- PLA
- 6581 SID
- VIC II Video Controller
This board tends to be more reliable due to requiring fewer logic ICs, but some parts can be harder or more expensive to obtain (e.g MOS 8701 IC). The board also uses 2 x 32KB RAM ICs as opposed to more common 8 x 8KB ICs.
Other Information
Over the past 30+ years, there have been many boards that have become damaged for various reasons such as poor storage conditions etc.
The replica boards are of the same dimensions of the originals and can therefore be used as a direct replacement to the original PCBs.
Some improvements/modifications were made:
- Improved silkscreen, adding more descriptive connector labels, IC names and better placed component labels
- Manufactured using modern PCB manufacturing techniques and materials.
- Separate holes for R38 and it's accompanying capacitor so they no longer need to be stacked on the 250407 board.
Prototype boards were tested with diagnostic software and harnesses to ensure no issues were encountered.
A "Bill of Materials" community editable spreadsheet has been created to help locating replacements parts:
Click here to access.
Optional Extras
Some replacement components can be purchased along with the boards:
- Resistor Packs, containing all required resistors for the specific model of board selected. All resistors are labelled with value and location and are metal film resistors.
- Electrolytic Capacitor Packs, containing all required Electrolytic capacitors for the specific model of board selected. All Electrolytic Capacitors are high quality branded products.
- Other available component packs will be added as they become available.