The PlayStation (PS1) featured a 33.87 MHz MIPS R3000A-compatible 32-bit CPU, 2 MB of main RAM and 1 MB of video RAM, a custom 3D graphics processor capable of 180,000 polygons per second, and a 2x speed CD-ROM drive. It also included 24-channel ADPCM sound, support for up to 16.7 million colours, and resolutions from 256x224 to 640x480 pixels.
Here are the key technical specifications of the original PlayStation:
CPU (Processor)
- Type: MIPS R3000A-compatible 32-bit RISC CPU (MIPS R3051)
- Clock Speed: 33.8688 MHz
- Cache: 4 KB instruction cache, 1 KB data cache
Memory
- Main RAM: 2 MB
- Video RAM (VRAM): 1 MB
Graphics
- Polygon Performance: 180,000 polygons per second (flat-shaded), and 360,000 per second with flat shading.
- Color Depth: Up to 16.7 million true colours.
- Sprite Engine: Capable of displaying 4,000 sprites and 180,000 polygons per second.
- Video Compression: MDEC (Motion Video Decoder) integrated into the CPU for full-motion video playback.
- Frame Buffer: 1024x512 framebuffer.
Audio
- Sound Chip: Custom 16-bit SPU (Sound Processing Unit)
- Channels: Up to 24 sound channels.
- Sampling Rate: Up to 44.1 kHz.
- Features: MIDI sequencing, digital reverb, pitch modulation, and looping.
Storage
- Drive: 2x speed CD-ROM drive
- Capacity: 660 MB maximum storage
Video Output
- Resolutions: From 256×224 to 640×480 pixels.
- Connectivity: AV Multi Out port (Composite, S-Video, and RGBS).
Other
- Memory Cards: Two slots for 128 KB flash memory save cards.
- Connectivity: Serial I/O port for the Link Cable, allowing console connection for multiplayer games.
