Super NES Technical Specifications

Here are the specs from a 1999 Video Game Buyer's Guide:

• CPU: Custom 65C816 at 3.58 MHz
• RAM: 128 Kb
• Max Colors on Screen: 256
• Max Sprites: 128, 32 per scanline
• Sound Channels: 8 ADPCM
• Sound Memory: 64 Kb

More specs from an old nintendo.com website:

Central Processing Unit (CPU) - 16-bit (main 'brain' of the system)
Work RAM for CPU - 128 Kilobytes (CPU temp. storage)
Picture Processing Unit (PPU) - 16-bit (generates all of the graphics)
Video RAM for PPU - 64 Kilobytes (temp. storage for the PPU)
Maximum Colors on One Screen - 256
Total # of Colors Available - 32,768
Maximum Screen Resolution - 512 pixels X 448 pixels
Maximum # of Sprites per Screen - 128
Maximum # of Sprites per Line - 32
Maximum Sprite Size - 64 pixels X 64 pixels
Minimum Sprite Size - 8 pixels X 8 pixels
Scrolling Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal
Audio Processing Unit (APU) - 8-bit (main sound processor) producing 16-bit sound
Pulse Code Modulator (PCM) - 16-bit (converts digital information from the game pak into sound)
Number of Sound Channels - 8
Clock Speed - 3.58, 2.68, and 1.79 Mhz
Software RAM - YES
AC Adapter:
Super NES - Input - 120 Volts AC, 60 Hertz, 17 Watts
Super NES Output - 10 Volts DC, 850 mA

Bibliography

• Nintendo Power, Hardware Technical Article (shows a Super Famicom S-CPU chip and explanation of the difference between 8-bit and 16-bit), Publication date: March 1991, Volume: 22, Pages: 63
• Nintendo Power, Future gaming with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (preview of the features of the Super NES), Publication date: July 1991, Volume: 26, Pages: 48-49