Game Boy Specs; Processor - Nintendo DMG-01 - Game Boy Console Manual

2.3. Game Boy Specs

2.3. Game Boy Specs
CPU: 8-bit (Similar to the Z80 processor.)
•
Main RAM: 8K Byte
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Video RAM: 8K Byte
•
Screen Size 2.6"
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Resolution: 160x144 (20x18 tiles)
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Max # of sprites: 40
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Max # sprites/line: 10
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Max sprite size: 8x16
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Min sprite size: 8x8
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Clock Speed: 4.194304 MHz
•
(4.295454 SGB, 4.194/8.388MHz GBC)
Horiz Sync: 9198 KHz (9420 KHz for SGB)
•
Vert Sync: 59.73 Hz (61.17 Hz for SGB)
•
Sound: 4 channels with stereo sound
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Power: DC6V 0.7W (DC3V 0.7W for GB Pocket)
•
Nintendo documents describe the CPU & instructions
speed in machine cycles while this document describes
them in clock cycles. Here is the translation:
1 machine cycle = 4 clock cycles
Machine Cycles
Clock Cycles

2.4. Processor

The GameBoy uses a computer chip similar to an Intel
8080. It contains all of the instructions of an 8080
except there are no exchange instructions. In many
ways the processor is more similar to the Zilog Z80
processor. Compared to the Z80, some instructions
Page 6
GB CPU Speed
1.05MHz
4.19MHz
TM
Game Boy
NOP Instruction
1 cycle
4 cycles
CPU Manual
V 1.01