https://microcorelabs.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/mcl65-worlds-fastest-apple-ii/

Skip to content
[ted_2878]

MicroCore Labs

Ted Fried's Project Blog

Sidebar

Menu

Search for: [                    ] [Search]
Recent Posts

  * MCL64 - World's Fastest Commodore 64
  * MCL64 - MOS 6510 Emulator works in Commodore 64
  * MCL65+ Apple II Acceleration Demo Video
  * EPROM Emulator
  * MCL64 - Commodore 64 Accelerator

Recent Comments

[cropp] MCL86jr on the way... on World's fastest IBM...

Archives

  * April 2021
  * March 2021
  * January 2021
  * December 2020
  * November 2020
  * October 2020
  * August 2020
  * July 2020
  * April 2020
  * March 2020
  * November 2019
  * October 2019
  * July 2018
  * May 2018
  * October 2017
  * September 2017
  * January 2017
  * November 2016
  * June 2016
  * May 2016
  * April 2016
  * March 2016

Categories

  * Uncategorized

MCL65+ World's Fastest Apple II+

January 8, 2021January 9, 2021 MicroCore Labs

Another flashy title, but again probably true! The MCL65+, when
running in accelerated mode is, I estimate, more than ten times
faster than a stock 1Mhz Apple II+! This was accomplished by
emulating all of the computer's ROM and RAM in the 600Mhz
microcontroller's memory. Just the I/O and video memory ranges were
left as regular 6502 bus access to the motherboard which run at 1Mhz.

The MCL65+ is a 6502 accelerator card which uses a 600Mhz Arduino
Teensy4.1 microcontroller to emulate a 6502 microprocessor as well as
its bus interface signals. It was designed to be a drop-in
replacement for the original 6502 processor found in computers like
the VIC-20, the early Apple computers, and others.

I took some videos of two BASIC programs I made to measure the
system's performance before and after the acceleration. One is the
classic x=x+1, print x, goto 10 program and the other prints an array
of characters. Both very simple however the accelerated speed
increase is dramatic.. the text just flies by!

I was surprised that the video and keyboard worked so well under
acceleration! The next thing I need to try is booting the computer
from either the 5.25'' diskette drive, or a compact flash drive
emulator...

Here are some videos of it running with acceleration enabled and
disabled. Please note that these programs print a lot to the screen
which is accessed via the 1Mhz 6502 bus to the video memory and slows
the test down. If less is printed to the screen the acceleration is
even faster...

Cycle accurate mode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuSb7mrw3xg&
feature=youtu.be
Accelerated mode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvJsCMR0qbo&
feature=youtu.be

[image-18]

[image-19]

Share this:

  * Twitter
  * Facebook
  * 

Like this:

Like Loading...
MCL65+ World's Fastest Apple II+

Post navigation

- MCL65+ Project Uploaded to GitHub
MCL65+ Running Apple II+ Games -
Blog at WordPress.com.

[                    ]
Email (Required) [                    ] Name (Required)
[                    ] Website [                    ]
[Post Comment]  
Loading Comments...
Comment

x
[Close and accept] Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By
continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie
Policy
%d bloggers like this:

[b]