The Zilog Z80 CPU is still being produced – not bad for a CPU introduced in 1976.

When buying a Z80 CPU, it helps to understand the format of the part numbers used. For example, “Z84C0008PEG”

The Z80 most commonly used for hobby projects is the “CMOS” version. This CPU starts with the six characters “Z84C00” (the “C” means “CMOS”).

The 7th and 8th characters determine the speed in Mhz. The 9th determines the package type (in this case, “P” means Plastic DIP or PDIP which are ideal for prototyping on breadboards). The next letter is the temperature rating. Finally, the last one is whether the chip is RoHS compliant (“G” means it is, the “C” in the image isn’t).

Here are a few examples that are available from RS components, all in a 40-pin PDIP package: –

• Z84C2006PEG = 6 Mhz (actually rated for 6.17MHz)
• Z84C0008PEG = 8 Mhz
• Z84C0010PEG = 10 MHz

Image Credits: Raimond Spekking