LLM Ported To The C64, Kinda

The Commodore 64, one of the most iconic and beloved computers of all time, has been given a unique gift by its fans. Thanks to the incredible efforts of [ytm] and the Llama2.c64 project, it is now possible to run a large language model on this ancient 8-bit machine.

"If there's one thing the Commodore 64 is missing, it's a large language model," nobody has ever uttered on this Earth. But thanks to [ytm]'s hard work, that phrase can now be answered with a resounding "yes". However, as expected, the C64 doesn't have the necessary hardware to run an LLM on its own.

To overcome this limitation, you'll need a significant upgrade in the form of 2 MB additional RAM via a C64 REU (Regional Electronics User). This will enable the machine to support the 260 K tinystories model, which is a much more limited but still impressive achievement.

"Imagine prompting a 3-year-old child with the beginning of a story — they will continue it to the best of their vocabulary and abilities," [ytm] explained. This quaint description captures the essence of what you can expect from this LLM, which won't be solving complex problems or offering life advice.

However, there's something undeniably charming about seeing a language model like this talking back on an old-school C64 display. It's a nostalgic reminder that even the most basic machines can still surprise us with their capabilities.

If you've been working on your own C64 projects, we'd love to hear from you! Share your creations and experiences with us, and who knows, maybe one day they'll be featured in our next article.

Thanks to [ytm] for the tip that brought this incredible project to our attention. We can't wait to see what other amazing things will come out of the C64 community.