Latest revision as of 15:03, 3 June 2015

Class definitions of CPC's

The CPC computer range can be divided in different classes. This makes sense to tell in quick which kind of CPC and hardware-expansions are needed for a certain application. This definitions are taken from the FutureOS handbook. Please keep this page in agreement with its origin to omit confusion.

Defined memory and drive space classes are:

• Class 0 CPC: 64 KB RAM, no drive (CPC-464)
• Class 1 CPC: 64 KB RAM, 3" drive (CPC-664)
• Class 2 CPC: 128 KB RAM, 3" drive (CPC6128)
• Class 3 CPC: 128 KB RAM, 3" drive, 2. drive: 80 tracks, doublesided (DS)
• Class 4 CPC: 320 KB RAM, 3" drive, 2. drive: 80 tracks, DS
• Class 5 CPC: 576 KB RAM, 3" drive, 2. drive: 80 tracks, DS
• Class 6 CPC: 576 KB RAM, 3" drive, 2. drive (80 trks, DS), 20 MB hard-disc
• Class 7 CPC: 576-2048 KB RAM, 2-4 internal and 2-4 external drives, hard-disc with at least 20 MB
• Class 8 CPC: 576-4096 KB RAM, 2-8 drives, hard-disc with at least 20 MB
• Class 9 CPC: 576-4096 KB RAM, 2-8 drives, hard-disc with at least 128 MB

Only the amount of space that can be used to read/write defines the CPC class. EPROM space (read only!) doesn't influence the CPC class.

Serial / network I/O is disregarded, because it works independent of memory and disc space. However a letter can be added to define communication device classes.

Defined communication classes are:

• Class A CPC: Communication with up to 19.200 Baud
• Class B CPC: Communication with up to 38.400 Baud
• Class C CPC: Communication with up to 76.800 Baud
• Class D CPC: Communication with up to 100.000 Baud

Example: A 6128 with two disc drives, 512 KB expansion RAM and an serial interface from Amstrad would be: Class 5A.

This concept was developed by TFM of FutureSoft. Comments and updates are welcome. But please do not change 'CPC classes' without previous discussion and agreement. Other pages of the CPC Wiki point to this definitions and rely on them being unchanged.