CPU: ZiLOG Z80 processor clocked at 4 MHz MEMORY: 64Kb RAM, 32Kb ROM GRAPHICS: 18Kb VRAM, 32 colors maximum (16 + 15 for sprites + 1 border) on screen. Video display which saw an increase in palette to 4096 colors and gained a capacity for hardware sprites. Splitting the display into separate modes and pixel scrolling both became fully supported hardware features. SOUND: AY-3-8912 chip, 3-channel stereo, DMA for high-quality samples (with minimal processor overhead). MEDIA/STORAGE: Cartridge of 32kb through 512kb
The console was released in Europe in 1990 and was an upgraded design based on the then still-popular CPC technology. The GX4000 shared hardware architecture with Amstrad's CPC Plus computer line, which were released concurrently. The GX4000 was Amstrad's first (and only) attempt at entering the video-game console market. Although offering enhanced graphics capabilities, it failed to gain popularity in the market (and was quickly discontinued) due to the advanced 16bit home computers (Amiga, ST etc) and game-consoles (Megardive, SNES etc). Amstrad should have launched this consoles a couple of years earlier in order to gain popularity, but decided to have it on the selves along with the CPC+ home computers. Eitherway, this console (much like its brother CPC+) has a lot firepower to offer when comparing with its main 8bit competitors, featuring hardware sprite capabilities, 4096-color palette and stereo sound, DMA enabled. Some (unique for the GX4000/CPC+ series, 27 in total) game releases such as Batman The Movie, Robocop 2, Navy Seals, Pang etc have shown great graphics, sprite animation and sound in the 8bit battle!