Sord M5

The Sord M5 was a compact home computer built around the same Z80, Texas Instruments video and programmable sound combination used by several early-1980s games systems. Software loaded from cartridges, while separate BASIC cartridges turned it into a programmable computer.

Sold under Sord’s name and rebadged by CGL and Takara in some markets, the M5 offered colourful sprites and strong sound at a competitive Japanese launch price. Its limited built-in memory, however, restricted more ambitious software.

Notable Features

• TMS9918 graphics supplied 16 colours and 32 hardware sprites.
• SN76489 sound provided three tone voices plus noise.
• BASIC-I, BASIC-G and BASIC-F cartridges targeted different levels of programming.

Historical Significance

• Sord’s principal entry into the international home-computer and games market.
• Also appeared as the CGL M5 and Takara Game M5 in selected regions.

Collector’s Notes

• The computer requires a language cartridge for BASIC programming.
• Regional power, video and keyboard variants should be matched with compatible accessories.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Sord M5
Manufacturer	Sord Computer Corporation
Launched	Friday, January 1, 1982
Discontinued	Mid-1980s
Launch Price	¥49,800; approximately £195 in the United Kingdom
Country	Japan
CPU	Zilog Z80A at 3.58 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Cartridge software; BASIC-I, BASIC-G or BASIC-F
I/O	Cartridge, cassette, RGB/video, printer and two controller ports
Keyboard	Integrated 55-key keyboard
Storage	ROM cartridge and cassette; optional disk hardware
Sound	Texas Instruments SN76489, three tone channels plus noise
Graphics	Texas Instruments TMS9918, 256x192, 16 colours and 32 sprites
Display	Television or RGB monitor
ROM	8KB
RAM	4KB main RAM and 16KB video RAM
CPU Speed	3.58 MHz