NEC PC-8801 - Hardware

Hardware

For its time, the PC-8801SR (V2-mode) had a high display resolution, but could only display 8 out of 512 colors simultaneously. The 640 × 400 mode was monochrome only. Its sound-producing capabilities were also more advanced than other machines of the time.

• N mode: PC-8000 Series compatible graphic mode
• V1 mode: 640 × 200 8 colors, 640 × 400 2 colors
• V2 mode: 640 × 200 8 out of 512 colors, 640 × 400 2 out of 512 colors
• V3 mode: 640 × 200: 65536 colors, 640 × 400: 256 out of 65536 colors, 320 × 200: 65536 colors, 320 × 400: 64 out of 65536 colors

• PC-8801/PC8801mkII
  • CPU: NEC PD780C-1 (Z80A-compatible)
  • Resolutions: ( N mode / V1 mode )
  • Memory: 40+8+24 = 72 KB ROM, 64+48 = 112 KB RAM
  • Sound: beep only

• PC-8801mkIISR/TR/FR/MR
  • CPU: NEC PD780C-1 (Z80A-compatible)
  • Resolutions: (SR) ( N mode / V1 mode / V2 mode ) or (TR/FR/MR) ( V1 mode / V2 mode )
  • Memory: 40+8+24 = 72 KB ROM, 64+48+4 = 116 KB RAM (MR = 244 KB)
  • Sound: beep + YM2203 ( 3 FM channels, 3 SSG ) Mono

• PC-8801FH/MH/FE/FE2
  • CPU: µPD70008 (Z80H-compatible)
  • Resolutions: ( V1 mode / V2 mode )
  • Memory: 40+8+24 = 72 KB ROM, 64+48+4 = 116 KB RAM (MH = 244 KB)
  • Sound: beep + YM2203 ( 3 FM channels, 3 SSG ) Mono

• PC-8801FA/MA/MA2/MC
  • CPU: µPD70008 (Z80H-compatible)
  • Resolutions: ( V1 mode / V2 mode )
  • Memory: 40+8+24 = 72 KB ROM, 64+48+4 = 116 KB RAM (MA/MA2/MC = 244 KB)
  • Sound: beep + YM2608 ( 6 FM channels, 3 SSG, 6 rhythms) Stereo + 1 ADPCM Mono

• PC-88VA/VA2/VA3
  • CPU: NEC V50 (µPD9002) 8 MHz
  • Resolutions: ( V1 mode / V2 mode / V3 mode )
  • Memory: 40+8+24 = 72 KB ROM, 512+48+256 = 816 KB RAM
  • Sound: beep + (VA)YM2203 ( 3 FM channels, 3 SSG ) Mono or (VA2/VA3)YM2608 ( 6 FM channels, 3 SSG, 6 rhythms) Stereo + 1 ADPCM Mono

A part of software corresponds to YM2608 and ADPCM. (ex: Snatcher)