Ultimate-64-Elite

Ultimate 64 Elite

What is it?! This board is a hardware implementation (FPGA) of the entire C64, and it includes the Ultimate-II+ as well. An ALL IN ONE solution!

Questions you may ask:

• What is the difference between the "Elite" the "regular" Ultimate-64?
  • The Elite version has ZIF sockets for the SID chips, and the board is completely jumperless.
  • An additional difference is that the unit has a boxed (shrouded) header for the UserPort expansion, which reduces the risk of shorting the 12V line to a data line and blowing up the U64 board.
  • The color of the board is black.
  • New:The "U64-E" will have a joystick swap switch, so port 1 and 2 can be swapped easily.

• Jumperless? Does that mean that the Ultimate detects the type of the SID chip inserted?
• Yes, this is correct.

• What if it accidentally detects my 8580 as 6581, and give it 12V power? It will blow up my 8580!
• The detection is based on a logical timing difference between the two chips, not on an analog property, so the detection is pretty solid. It is the same detection mechanism as present in the SID player. On top of this: The Elite version comes with an extra safeguard. The 6581 type needs to be confirmed in the configuration. So only if the SID in the socket is detected as a 6581 AND the socket is 'enabled', then the 12V will be applied. When a 6581 is detected for the first time, the socket is disabled automatically.

• Does it require a different firmware than the current "1.2" board?
• No, it runs the same firmware.

• Are the sockets really going to be blue?
• No, on the prototypes they are green, but on the final boards they are black. They are only blue in the rendered image from the PCB design tool.

Ordering Info

The Ultimate products for the Commodore computers presented on this website are made by a one-man company. This means dedication and passion, but it also introduces "small scale" effects. Orders are processed in spare time. Please do not expect overnight delivery as is often seen with large mail order companies.

Pre-orders and Back-orders

• Pre-orders are used for products that generally have a long lead time, caused by production that is just starting or scaling up. The delivery time is not certain and may shift. The Ultimate-64 falls into this category.
• Back orders When a product is in back-order, it means that the product is temporarily out of stock, but is expected to be filled within some weeks. Production stabilized and more stock is expected than current open orders.

Preordering procedure:

• Simply place your order through the webshop system. Make sure your shipping address is correct!
• It has been decided (and implemented in the webshop) that pre-orders do not need to be paid anymore in advance, per se. You can, but you don't have to.
• First come, first serve. Products will be dispatched in the same sequence as in which the orders were placed.
• Orders are internally labeled with production / shipping batch number. (May become visible in the order status, t.b.d.)
• General information about the production and shipping batch numbers will be made available on the website. (Location: t.b.d)
• When a production schedule is known for your order, you will receive an e-mail with an estimated shipping date.
• Your order needs to be paid before the scheduled shipping date. About 2 weeks before your order is scheduled for shipping, you will be reminded to pay for your order.
• Unpaid orders may be re-allocated after the payment reminder, or even canceled after a second reminder.
• Invoices are automatically issued after payment. You can use the order confirmation as a proforma invoice.

Shipping

The final assembly stage for the products takes place in the Netherlands. There are only a few feasible low-volume shipping options available that operate worldwide:

• PostNL
• Deutsche Post

The prices of PostNL went skyrocket a few years ago. Deutsche Post allows small packages to be sent as letters worldwide, which is a great option! The downside is that these packages can only be sent from a post office in Germany. I am willing to take a drive to Germany if there are many packages to send. This is usually the case after a new production batch arrives. So, whenever a product is on back order (or pre-order), you can select Deutsche Post; it won't cause any delays. For products that are on stock, you may choose between:

• PostNL
  • your package will be shipped whenever possible, but not at the lowest possible cost
• Deutsche Post
  • your package will be shipped in a batch shipping at an attractive rate.

Stock

Stock is usually limited. Products are produced in reasonable batch sizes, that balance between risk and cost. I tend to be conservative and like to keep risks small. I believe that only with this strategy I can continue this project and provide the 'ultimate' Commodore products for you.

Thank you for your understanding and patience!

Gideon