Just picked up a Micro Genius IQ-501, CPU/PPU swap?

[Tupin]

I heard that these early Famiclones used discrete components and even had socketted CPUs/PPUs. Sure enough, mine does. Two chips, one labelled UA6528 and the other UA6527. I'm guessing these are just pirated versions of the NES CPU/PPU, though I'm not sure which corresponds to which and what components I need to swap with an NES.

Anyone done one of these swaps recently, and does it improve compatibility/accuracy very much?

[Ace]

I did the swap when I got my IQ-501 a few years ago, but have since reverted back to the UMC clone chips as I have an AV Famicom and Twin Famicom (and will soon get an original-model Famicom). The UA6527 is the clone CPU while the UA6528 is the clone PPU.

This eliminates the reversed duty cycles problem that plagues most Famiclones, but the audio output will be distorted (at least, it was distorted on mine when I put in a 2A03 in place of the UA6527). To fix this, you will need to replace a few resistors. I don't have access to my IQ-501, so you will have to provide a picture of the motherboard so I can show you the resistors in question and what to replace them with.

[Parodius Duh!]

Its much easier/cheaper just to get a famicom. I dont know why everyone loves these Micro Genius clones....Just get a famicom.

[Tupin]

I did the swap when I got my IQ-501 a few years ago, but have since reverted back to the UMC clone chips as I have an AV Famicom and Twin Famicom (and will soon get an original-model Famicom). The UA6527 is the clone CPU while the UA6528 is the clone PPU.

This eliminates the reversed duty cycles problem that plagues most Famiclones, but the audio output will be distorted (at least, it was distorted on mine when I put in a 2A03 in place of the UA6527). To fix this, you will need to replace a few resistors. I don't have access to my IQ-501, so you will have to provide a picture of the motherboard so I can show you the resistors in question and what to replace them with.

I will get you a picture of the motherboard soon.

[Tupin]

Here is the motherboard.