6510s

6510s refers to the MOS Technology 6510 family of 8-bit microprocessors, a variant of the 6502 designed with an integrated input/output interface. The 6510 preserves the 6502’s instruction set, timing, and overall architecture while adding an on-chip I/O capability to simplify system design and peripheral control. This combination made the 6510 attractive for home computers and embedded systems in the early 1980s.

A defining feature of the 6510 is its integrated I/O port, which allows the CPU to interact with peripherals and manage certain tasks without extensive external circuitry. The core execute unit remains 8-bit, with a 16-bit address space and the familiar 6502-style addressing modes and instructions. Clock speeds for devices using the 6510 typically fall in the same general range as other 6502-based systems, around the 1 MHz class, though exact rates depended on the particular machine and clocking scheme.

The 6510 is best known for its role in the Commodore 64, where the on-chip I/O and the ability to influence memory mapping contributed to the system’s flexible architecture and affordability. Beyond the Commodore line, the 6510 saw limited widespread adoption, and as newer processors emerged, MOS Technology and the broader market shifted toward alternative designs. The 6510’s legacy lies in its demonstration of integrating I/O with the CPU to reduce component counts in consumer electronics and in its enduring association with one of the most successful home computers in history.

See also: 6502, MOS Technology, Commodore 64.