Although it lacks the raw processing power of processors like the Intel 80x86 or the Motorola 68000 series, the 6502 was known for its efficiency and affordability, making it a popular choice for embedded systems and early home computers. Its simple design contributed to lower manufacturing costs and simplified integration.
The 6502 chip is made up of 4528 transistors (3510 enhancement transistors and 1018 depletion pullup transistors). Despite having so few transistors, it is generally viewed as being twice as fast as the Z80for same clock speed. Two reasons explain it:
* The 6502 has an 8-bit ALU while the Z80 has a 4-bit ALU
* The 6502 has a clock doubler circuit built inside the chip