The Amstrad PC1640 was the successor to the hugely popular PC1512, launched in 1987 with 640KB RAM and an EGA-compatible graphics chipset from Paradise Systems integrated on the motherboard. The 1640DD variant shipped with two 360KB 5.25-inch floppy disk drives. Also marketed as the PC6400 in the United States and sold under the Schneider brand in Germany, it was one of the most successful IBM PC compatibles in Europe and helped open the consumer PC market.

CPU

Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz

Co-processor Socket

Intel 8087 math co-processor (optional)

RAM

640 KB (on-board)

Storage

Dual 360 KB 5.25-inch floppy disk drives (DD model)

Graphics

EGA-compatible (Paradise Systems chipset), CGA and Hercules modes supported

Display

Colour (ECD) or monochrome monitor; ECD model supports full EGA modes

Sound

PC speaker with physical volume control

Expansion

Three full-length 8-bit PC/XT ISA expansion slots, supports optional VGA board

I/O Ports

RS-232C serial, Centronics parallel, light pen connector

Input Devices

Full QWERTY keyboard with Atari joystick port, two-button Amstrad mouse

Dimensions

372 x 284 x 135 mm

Weight

7.75 kg (DD model)

Power Supply

Integrated into monitor housing

Operating System

MS-DOS 3.2, Digital Research DOS Plus (CP/M compatible)

Bundled Software

GEM Desktop, GEM Paint, Locomotive BASIC 2

Manufacturer

Amstrad plc (Brentwood, Essex, UK)

Released

1987

Also Known As

Schneider PC1640, Sinclair PC500, PC6400 (US)

The Amstrad PC1640 family (1987) helped make affordable IBM PC compatibles mainstream in Europe. This entry tracks a complete PC1640SD setup (monitor + keyboard + boot disk), aligned with the XT-Emporium catalog.

CPU

Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz

RAM

640 KB

Storage

Floppy + HDD variants depending on model

Graphics

CGA/EGA compatible (model dependent)

Manufacturer

Amstrad plc (UK)

Released

1987

The Glitch Works XT-IDE rev 4 is an open-source 8-bit ISA IDE controller board that enables the use of modern 16-bit IDE devices (CompactFlash adapters, DOM modules, hard drives) on vintage IBM PC/XT, AT, and compatible systems. Designed in KiCad and licensed under GNU GPL v3.0, the rev 4 improves on the rev 3 with better silkscreen, larger jumper pads, corrected latch read/write timing, additional Slot 8 Support test points, and consistent parts numbering for easier kit assembly. When paired with the XTID

Bus Interface

8-bit ISA (fits any PC/XT/AT 8-bit slot)

Storage Media

IDE/ATA — CompactFlash via adapter, DOM, or standard IDE hard drive

Design Tool

KiCad (fully open-source EDA)

License

GNU GPL v3.0

PCB

2-layer, ISA form factor, through-hole components

DIP Switch Banks

2x CTS 208-8 (8-position each) for address configuration

EEPROM

AT28C64B (8KB, 28-pin DIP) — in-system programmable

Bus Transceivers

2x 74LS245 octal bidirectional transceivers

Latches

2x 74F573 octal transparent latches

Address Decoders

2x 74LS688 8-bit magnitude comparators

Logic ICs

74LS138 3-to-8 decoder, 2x 74LS04 hex inverter, 74LS32 quad OR gate

Pull-up Networks

2x 10Kx9 SIP resistor networks (RP1, RP2)

Bypass Capacitors

11x 0.1uF axial ceramic + 1x 100uF 6.3V electrolytic

Activity LED

HP HLMP-3507 with 470R current limiting resistors

BIOS

XTIDE Universal BIOS — GPLv2, supports up to 4 IDE controllers

Revision

Rev 4 (2017) — improved timing, silkscreen, and Slot 8 test points