The new power supply for original C64 computers is here.
The Commodore C64 smart supply doesn't just supply power. It protects your C64 from too short power-off times, makes sure that grid-side switching is safe and makes sure that no negative voltages ever reach the valuable original chips of your computer. All while keeping ripple voltage as low as 40mVpp - better than the very strict specification from Commodore in the 1980s.
High-power without overloading components: Up to 3 Amps of current can be drawn on the 5V rail - enough for the toughest expansions like SCPU and original Commodore RAM expansions 1700, 1764 and 1750. The level of power of our smart supply is carefully chosen in order not to overload the power connector and switch of the C64 itself: At this level, these parts won't overheat, even in hot climates.
The C64 smart supply is a two-part solution: A tried-and-true 12V/2A power supply with international adapters (already known to our customers as "the Adpator" due to the typo of our graphics designer) and a converter that's plugged directly to the C64. This avoids any loss that there may be on a long cable. There can't be any loss, because there is no cable between the C64 and the power converter. Predictable losses in the connector and input filters of the C64 are accounted for in our circuit. Two status LEDs are at the top, showing white when on, dimming green when off, and blinking white during the guaranteed power-off time. A jumper inside the converter case lets you switch between PAL (50Hz) and NTSC (60Hz) frequency for the 9VAC rail.
During development of this product, we've found out that the original Commodore power supplies and all commercially available replacement supplies cause negative voltage to reach the CIA chips of the C64, which can potentially damage them. The C64 smart supply is the first on the market that guarantees no negative voltage on these delicate chips. We've published a detailed technical article about this in March 2026 in our support forum.
Technical data in detail:
- 5V DC, 3A - twice as strong as the original "wedge-shaped" power supply
- low ripple of 40mVpp maximum
- 9V AC, 1A, pure sine wave, 30ppm crystal precision
- guaranteed off-time: After switching off, power is cut for at least 1s
- grid-side switching is safe
- input voltage 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz
- international plugs for EU, UK, USA and Australia included
- compatible with C64 and VIC-20 starting early 1983 ("CR"-variant)
Also available for floppy drives 1541-II, 1581 and the C65 computer.
If you compare against other "new" power supplies, make sure to compare each detail and look for hard numbers. Don't accept descriptions like "no tricks - real transformer for AC voltage", as this only means that the PSU allows negative voltage to reach your CIA chips. Don't accept descriptions like "ripple filter" - any filter will cause voltage drop and is an indicator that the circuit already produced too much ripple in the first place. Don't fall for voltage displays - they only show you the voltage inside the power supply. Voltage loss on the cable, the C64 switch and it's input filter won't be shown on a supply-side display. If you're unsure, check if our competition is covered by a product liability insurance.
This product is officially licensed to use the Commodore brand after passing a technical review in April 2026. Picture shows a C64 that's not in the scope of delivery.
