# SuperCPU

> processor upgrade for the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128

**Wikidata**: [Q2367040](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2367040)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SuperCPU)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/supercpu

## Summary  
The SuperCPU is a hardware upgrade that replaces the original processor of the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 with a 20 MHz WDC W65C816 microprocessor. Developed by Creative Micro Designs and released on 4 May 1997, it transforms these classic 8‑bit machines into much faster systems while retaining full software compatibility.

## Key Facts  
- **Release date:** 4 May 1997 (commercialization)【source】  
- **Developer:** Creative Micro Designs, a U.S.‑based computer‑technology company founded in 1987【source】  
- **Processor:** Western Digital WDC W65C816 running at 20 MHz (≈ 20 MHz, 1 core)【source】  
- **Instruction set:** MOS 6502 compatible, enabling execution of existing C64/128 software【source】  
- **Form factor:** CPU card that plugs into the expansion port of the Commodore 64 and 128【source】  
- **Supported platforms:** Commodore 64 and Commodore 128【source】  
- **Classification:** Both a microprocessor and a CPU card【source】  
- **Image:** ![SuperCPU](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/CMD_SuperCPU_64_(2).jpg)【source】  
- **Wiki identifiers:** Wikipedia title “SuperCPU”, C64‑Wiki ID “SuperCPU”, Freebase ID “/m/04z_y3s”【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: What does the SuperCPU do for a Commodore 64 or 128?  
A: It replaces the original 1 MHz processor with a 20 MHz WDC W65C816, dramatically increasing execution speed while keeping compatibility with existing software and peripherals.  

### Q: Which computers can use the SuperCPU?  
A: The SuperCPU is designed for both the Commodore 64 and the Commodore 128, connecting via their standard expansion ports.  

### Q: When was the SuperCPU released and who made it?  
A: Creative Micro Designs released the SuperCPU on 4 May 1997; the company was founded in 1987 in the United States.  

### Q: What instruction set does the SuperCPU use?  
A: It implements the MOS 6502 instruction set, the same set used by the original C64/128 CPUs, ensuring software compatibility.  

### Q: How much faster is the SuperCPU compared to the stock processor?  
A: The SuperCPU runs at 20 MHz, roughly 20 times the clock speed of the original 1 MHz MOS 6502 CPU.

## Why It Matters  
The SuperCPU revitalized the iconic Commodore 64 and 128 platforms at a time when retro computing was gaining a dedicated following. By delivering a 20 MHz WDC W65C816 core, it provided a massive performance boost—up to twentyfold—without sacrificing the vast library of existing software. This upgrade enabled developers and hobbyists to run more demanding applications, experiment with modern programming techniques, and explore new multimedia possibilities on classic hardware. Moreover, the SuperCPU’s dual classification as both a microprocessor and a CPU card exemplifies a clever engineering solution that integrates seamlessly into the original machines’ architecture. Its release highlighted the enduring appeal of the Commodore line and inspired subsequent hardware extensions, cementing its role as a pivotal bridge between vintage computing nostalgia and contemporary performance expectations.

## Notable For  
- First commercially available 20 MHz upgrade for the Commodore 64/128.  
- Utilizes the WDC W65C816, a 16‑bit successor to the original 6502, while preserving 6502 compatibility.  
- Developed by Creative Micro Designs, a company with a long history in computer‑technology innovation.  
- Functions as both a microprocessor and a plug‑in CPU card, simplifying installation.  
- Extends the usable lifespan of the C64/128, allowing modern software experiments on classic hardware.

## Body  

### Overview  
The SuperCPU is a processor upgrade card that fits into the expansion port of the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128. It replaces the stock 1 MHz MOS 6502 CPU with a 20 MHz Western Digital W65C816, delivering a substantial speed increase while maintaining full software compatibility.

### Development History  
- **Creative Micro Designs** founded in 1987 in the United States, focused on computer‑technology solutions.  
- The company announced the SuperCPU on 4 May 1997, targeting the large installed base of C64/128 owners seeking performance enhancements.

### Technical Specifications  
- **CPU:** WDC W65C816, 1 core, 20 MHz clock (≈ 20 MHz).  
- **Instruction Set:** MOS 6502 compatible, allowing existing binaries to run unchanged.  
- **Form Factor:** CPU card that plugs into the standard expansion connector of the C64/128.  
- **Platform Compatibility:** Fully functional in both Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 environments.  

### Compatibility and Installation  
- The SuperCPU connects to the expansion port, requiring no soldering or internal modifications.  
- It works with the original memory map and I/O architecture, ensuring that peripherals and cartridges remain operational.  

### Legacy and Impact  
- The SuperCPU demonstrated that classic 8‑bit machines could be meaningfully modernized, influencing later projects such as FPGA‑based recreations and other accelerator cards.  
- It remains a reference point for hardware enthusiasts who wish to push the limits of vintage computing while preserving authenticity.

## References

1. [C64-Wiki](https://www.c64-wiki.de/wiki/WDC_65816)