==Hardware description==
All CPC models were based on a [[Zilog]] [[Z80]] processor clocked at 4 MHz. Because a common pool of RAM is shared with the video circuits, the Z80 may only make a memory access once every four cycles, which has the effect of rounding all instruction cycle lengths up to the next multiple of four. For details, see [https://web.archive.org/web/20170324233713/http://www.grimware.org/doku.php/documentations/devices/z80 a nearly complete list of instructions with timings (number of cycles) for each.]
The system came with 64 KB or 128 KB of RAM depending on the model (capable of being expanded to more). The machines also featured a standard 9-pin Atari-style joystick socket which was able to take two joysticks via a splitter.