Reference: Hardware

N64 Technical Specifications

• Main CPU: VR4300i
• 4 MB of main system memory, Expandable to 8 MB
• Cartridge Sizes from 4 MB - 64 MB (1 MB common for Homebrew)
• Reality Coprocessor
  • Reality Display Processor Graphics Processor
    • Texture Engine
    • Texture Filter
    • Color / Alpha Combiner
    • Blender
  • Reality Signal Processor
    • Scaler Unit subset of MIPS R4000 Core
    • Vector Unit 8 x 16 bit
    • IMEM 4KB
    • DMEM 4KB
  • Video Interface
  • Audio Interface
  • Parallel Interface (Cartridge, 64DD)
  • Serial Interface (Through PIF to Controllers & EEPROM)

The 'stars' are Controller ports. This diagram is interesting because it's clear that whatever work can be handed off to the RCP is probably better because it's at the center of everything. This is still a little tricky because the RCP runs at a slower speed and while it has some unique features, it also has some unique constraints.

When we reference memory addresses in code this diagram will make some more sense.

https://pastebin.com/Haa1rrcT Console Reset