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It is the real thing. It does the same thing, just using different technology. It's a fully digital chip, so it doesn't matter if logic is fixed on the die or "

It is the real thing. It does the same thing, just using different technology. It's a fully digital chip, so it doesn't matter if logic is fixed on the die or "fused" on FPGA. It does the same function. The logic could as well be implemented in software - the reason it isn't and it wasn't in the original C64 is because it was not possible then. Programming this logic on a CPU would have required a very fast microcontroller, that would probably be more expensive than the whole computer. Even today, not many MCUs would be capable of emulating the CIA and keep up with all the timings. Mind you there is a difference in creating a software emulator that runs within the host computer versus emulating a chip that responds in real time to the electric signals.

SomeoneFromCA 3y ago
I do not need this condescending lecture about the merits of programmable logic over CPUs and emulation. The difference is not technical or even technological; the actual difference is social. Anything that it is not period-accurate is going to erode the historical value of the artifact, until the point when everything inside is a bunch of fpga's on sockets.
- RetroTechie 3y ago
  The value of "historical artefacts" is determined by how many specimens remain, and how sought after they are. For whatever reason. Aftermarket / modern replacement parts cater to a different market. They don't 'dilute' the historic value of original parts. There is considerable overlap though. If anything, availability of modern replacements eases demand for original parts. Helping to keep those available for purists, musea, reverse engineering etc (and their prices reasonable). This should make both purists & non-purists happy.
  - SomeoneFromCA 3y ago
    No need in italic font and other passive aggressive stuff. Ask any old hardware enthusiast if they prefer an actual exact silicon level replica of SID or modern fancy shmancy FPGA replacement thing - I guarantee you majority would want the precise replica. Because why people content with these FPGA ugly looking quasi-substitutes, cause there is no actual period-accurate substitutes are available. In any case a "Commodore 64" made entirely from components invented in 2020s should be called C64 anymore. It is a replica, a decent one, but not the real thing.

SomeoneFromCA 3y ago

I do not need this condescending lecture about the merits of programmable logic over CPUs and emulation. The difference is not technical or even technological; the actual difference is social. Anything that it is not period-accurate is going to erode the historical value of the artifact, until the point when everything inside is a bunch of fpga's on sockets.

RetroTechie 3y ago
The value of "historical artefacts" is determined by how many specimens remain, and how sought after they are. For whatever reason. Aftermarket / modern replacement parts cater to a different market. They don't 'dilute' the historic value of original parts. There is considerable overlap though. If anything, availability of modern replacements eases demand for original parts. Helping to keep those available for purists, musea, reverse engineering etc (and their prices reasonable). This should make both purists & non-purists happy.
- SomeoneFromCA 3y ago
  No need in italic font and other passive aggressive stuff. Ask any old hardware enthusiast if they prefer an actual exact silicon level replica of SID or modern fancy shmancy FPGA replacement thing - I guarantee you majority would want the precise replica. Because why people content with these FPGA ugly looking quasi-substitutes, cause there is no actual period-accurate substitutes are available. In any case a "Commodore 64" made entirely from components invented in 2020s should be called C64 anymore. It is a replica, a decent one, but not the real thing.