"Best" Chips for a PAL mode C64 Reloaded MK2?

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Don't Panic. Please wash hands.
  • I am a recent owner of a C64 Reloaded MK2 and am starting to shop around for chips. The wiki says I need:

    • CPU 6510 or 8500
    • two pcs. CIA 6526(A) or 8521
    • video chip 6567, 6569, 8565 or 8562
    • one or two sound chips 6581 and/or 8580

    I have an NTSC Breadbin C64 already but I want my MK2 to be my PAL system (for game compatibility) with double SIDs (for messing with some modern music software). I want my MK2 to have chips that are more stable and don't have overheating issues as much as possible.


    Here is what I'm going for:

    CPU: 8500

    PCS: 8521

    VIDEO: 8565 or 8562

    SOUND: 6581 and 8580


    Does this config make sense for my goals?

  • Hi davidpgil,


    The 8562 is NTSC, the 8565 is PAL-B.


    I have 2 C64R2 PAL setups :


    1 with 8565R? VIC II, 6581R4 , 8580R5 and 8500 cpu

    1 with 6569R3 VIC II, 6581R4AR , 8580R5, and 6510 cpu

    Both have 6526s cia's.


    Both systems are perfect stable, no strange things after hours of use, but the 65xx VICII and SID seems to get warmer (i dont know exact measurements, just by feeling). The 6510 and 8500 don't get that warm.


    So i don't experience any stability things with the 65x or 85xx setup (exept for the 6569R1 VICII, i have 2 and get realy hot and instable after an hour or so)


    I think it comes more to personal preference, just like the SID sound.


    My personal preferences is the 8565 when using svideo on my sony TN-A14-PN CRT monitor. With the 6569 i see the coloured columns.

    With my 1084s monitor i have to use composiet, then i prefer the 6569 (no white dots in some games/demo's).Coloured columns are hardly noticible. Screen is still very good!






  • The CIAs can be "anything", they hardly get warm. In fact, some 6526A chips show the 8521 die when de-capped.


    The 85xx versions of the other chips do consume less power, hence they produce less heat. So yes, that setup makes sense.

  • Thanks everyone. I am new to the C64 world and am learning this stuff fresh. I had no significant experience with the C64 30+ years ago. I think I noticed my friend had some form of C64 attached to his home TV but I'm not sure. Since I am going the PAL route it seems its very useful to know which one I should get.


    Can I use a C64C style case with the C64 MK2? Will I have issues adding/mounting a keyboard?

  • Can I use a C64C style case with the C64 MK2?

    Yes, the C64RMK2 fits into both the C64c and the breadbox-case.


    Will I have issues adding/mounting a keyboard?

    For the C64c case, you'll need the keyboard holders, for the breadbox-type case, the keyboard is tied in with eight screws in the top shell of the case. In other words: No, nothing special about the keyboard either.

  • The last reply was more than 365 days ago, this thread is most likely obsolete. It is recommended to create a new thread instead.