As opposed to the first C64 reloaded board, the C64 Reloaded MK2 will automatically identify the installed chips. It will not only generate the correct clocking, but also set the right voltages for the chips that you have chosen. Further, it configures the filter-capacitors for your favourite SID combination. This means that the Commodore 64 Reloaded MK2 is a completely jumper-free design.
C64 Reloaded MK2 fits in all original C64 cases: The classic "breadbox" cases and the flat versions of the case that were used in later production years. This includes the brand-new cases that were produced recently in a popular Kickstarter project, and of course our own C64 Cases.
All required voltages (5VDC, 9VAC) are generated on board and are available at external interfaces as expected (tape, userport, expansion port, joystick port). 12VDC is taken directly from the PSU. A protection circuit keeps excess input voltage from valuable chips.
The C64 Reloaded MK2 does not come with a TV-Modulator. There's an S-Video output in it's place, which is located in place of the RF output. At the S-Video output a 330Ohm resistor is installed in the chrominance line, which makes the signal more suitable for modern displays.
Audio is passed to the outside world through a 3.5mm stereo plug, which lets you use standard audio equipment. It is located in place of the channel switch, so no additional holes must be drilled into the computer case.
The known connectors for joysticks, cartridges, monitor, floppy drives, data cassette and userport are of course available on C64 Reloaded MK2.
The processor (CPU), the sound chip (SID), the I/O chips (CIA) and video chip (VIC-II) are in zero-insertion-force sockets, so they can be exchanged easily.
Proper 50/60Hz signal for the CIA TOD clocks is generated on board depending on selected video mode. The time base for this is another crystal oscillator, which is running independent of the main C64 clock circuit.
All ROMs are kept together in one Flash-ROM. The board can be equipped with four Kernal ROMs (three custom) and two character ROMs (one custom).
The power switch is a 3-position switch that has a "momentary" up-position, which is used to reset the machine. This gives you a reset-button without the need to drill a hole into a classic case.
The power button "reset" switch and the RESTORE key can be configured to switch some configuration options
A video effect known as "VSP-effect" to the C64 scene leads to intermittent crashes of some C64 models, which is also known as the "VSP-bug". Since the C64 Reloaded MK2 boards use SRAM instead of DRAM, this problem has been eliminated.
Gold plated user- and tape ports
Comes including metal frame around the expansion port, like the original computer.
The final board is black with white silkscreen print and uses custom black zif sockets.
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