Commodore 64 vs Modern PCs: A Comparative Analysis of Processing Power and Capabilities
Early home computers like the Commodore 64 (C64) and modern PCs differ dramatically in terms of processing power and capability. To gain a better understanding of this comparison, it is essential to benchmark their performance using Floating Point Operations Per Second (FLOPs) as a primary measure.
Benchmarking Procedure and Results
To measure processing power, we need to evaluate how these systems handle floating point arithmetic. The C64 features a CPU that runs at approximately 1 MHz, which can be a bit higher for NTSC TVs and a bit lower for PAL machines. The machine has 64 KB of RAM, which is shared among the CPU, VIC II 'GPU,' and the SID audio chip.
Despite the hardware limitations, benchmarks like the one conducted on a C64 forum provide interesting insights. A simple benchmark code, written in Machine Language, multiplies 256 pre-generated random floating point numbers. The program runs for about 6.5 seconds, implying a floating point operation speed of around 397 FLOPs per second for the classic C64.
Additions are faster, with an estimated 2,168 FLOPs per second, equating to approximately 2 KFLOPS. These results are noteworthy but must be interpreted with caution. The 6502 CPU in the C64 does not support floating point arithmetic hardware, and the benchmark only reflects the speed of floating point routines in BASIC ROM. Furthermore, modern CPUs and mainframes typically use 64-bit floats, whereas C64 floats are only 40 bits wide, making them less precise.
Comparison with Modern CPUs
For reference, a typical mid-range modern CPU like the Ryzen 5 3600 can achieve approximately 485 gigaFLOPs. The term 'giga' means 'a billion.' This impressive number is achieved with the assistance of an on-chip floating point unit (FPU). Moreover, modern CPUs often consist of multiple cores, each capable of handling up to 12 concurrent operations due to hyperthreading.
Take, for example, a high-end graphics card like Nvidia's RTX 4090, which can perform up to 82 teraFLOPs (82 trillion floating point operations per second). In comparison, the 1985 Cray-2 supercomputer topped out at just under 2 gigaFLOPs, highlighting the extraordinary advancements in computing power.
These comparisons underscore the incredible speed increase in computing power. However, the C64 can still hold its own in certain domains.
Capabilities on the C64
While the C64 might struggle with game-related tasks, it can still perform numerous other functions efficiently. For instance, basic spreadsheet operations can be done using VisiCalc, just like their successors Excel. Although performance may be slower, the C64 can still handle these tasks.
The C64 can also be used for document printing, turning it into a primitive home assistant with the right peripherals. It can be utilized for testing electronics, and even for accessing the internet, albeit with some limitations.
Considering it came out over 40 years ago, the C64's capability is surprisingly commendable, highlighting what can be achieved with limited hardware resources.
Modern Challenges and Lessons
While modern computing power is astounding, the software can still lag. The quality of software has declined significantly due to a lack of consideration for underlying hardware and excessive feature bloat. Improving programming practices and efficient resource management can help mitigate this issue.
Lastly, it is worth noting that computer resources consume electricity, which contributes to environmental pollution. Reducing the carbon footprint can be achieved by becoming a more efficient programmer and thoroughly planning before coding begins.
By understanding the capabilities and limitations of both the C64 and modern PCs, we can better appreciate the advancements in technology and the importance of software optimization and hardware efficiency.