Amstrad CPC

Type: Computer
Publisher: Amstrad
Firstly released in: United Kingdom
First release: 1984
Release and compatibility details: Compatible types: CPC464, CPC664 (1985), CPC6128 (1985), CPC464+ (1990), 6128+ (1990)

Success and unsuccess:

Most popular years: 1985-1990
Most popular countries: UK, France, Germany
Amount of games in database: 4205 (list)
Amount of music records in database: 3 (list)
Amount of downloadable MOD tunes: 1 (list)
Amount of downloadable MIDI tunes: 2 (list)
Importance on the market in the most popular years: Very high

Characteristics:

Amstrad CPC464 was one of most successful 8-bit home computers, along with Commodore 64, Atari 8-bits and Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Amstrad's concept of home computers was to sell all-in-one (monitor, computer, keyboard and tape recorder) for a low price. That's why CPC464 has built-in tape recorder and later model, CPC664 had 160kB 3" disk drive instead of tape recorder. The 6128 models have 128kB RAM and the "plus models" have sprites to compete with 16-bit computers of these times (Amiga, Atari ST) - but in the year 1990 everybody knew that battle with 16-bit is lost..

CPU: Z80, 4 MHz
RAM: 64 kB (464,664,464+), 128 kB (6128,6128+)
VRAM: 16 kB
ROM: 32 kB (the disk drives CPCs additional 16 kB for AMSDOS ROM)
Graphics: 160x200 with 16 colors, 320 x 200 with 4 colors, 640 x 200 with 2 colors
Total colors: 27
Sound: Yamaha AY-3-8912 soundchip, 3 channels, 8 octaves, +1 noise channel
Built in Media: Cassette Recorder (464), 3" Disk Drive (664, 6128)

More info: http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=84

Games and music info:

Most common media for storing games: Floppy Disk
Average packed game size: 25 kB (Cassette), 50 kB (Disk)
Music formats: AY

Emulation info:

I haven't tested emulators a lot, but they seems to be in very good state and should emulate almost anything out for CPC.

WinAPE - Seems to be the best now, but I haven't tested it a lot - you should try also Arnold and CaPriCe if you want to be completely sure.

This emulation info was written on 20.January 2003. (This time is very important, because emulation info very depends on the time it was written - emulators can improve a lot after this time..).