MC74VHC1G04 vs 74HC04 vs 74LVC1G04

Detailed Comparison of CMOS Inverter (NOT Gate) ICs

CMOS inverter ICs are widely used for logic inversion, buffering, clock conditioning, and signal shaping. Among the most commonly used options are MC74VHC1G04, 74HC04, and 74LVC1G04. Although all three perform the same logical function, they differ significantly in speed, voltage range, package size, power consumption, and application suitability.

This article provides a clear and technical comparison to help engineers and students select the best inverter IC for their project.

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Overview of the Three ICs

IC	Logic Family	Gate Count	Typical Use
MC74VHC1G04	VHC CMOS	1 inverter	High-speed, compact logic
74HC04	HC CMOS	6 inverters	General-purpose logic
74LVC1G04	LVC CMOS	1 inverter	Low-voltage, ultra-fast logic

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⚙️ 1. MC74VHC1G04 – High-Speed Single Inverter

Key Characteristics

• Single NOT gate
• Very High-Speed CMOS (VHC) technology
• Wide supply voltage operation
• Compact SMD package

Strengths

✔ Faster than standard 74HC
✔ Low power consumption
✔ TTL compatible at 5 V
✔ Ideal when only one inverter is needed

Limitations

❌ Not optimized for very low voltage (1.8 V)
❌ Slightly slower than LVC family

Best Applications

• Signal inversion near MCU pins
• Clock buffering
• Compact embedded designs

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⚙️ 2. 74HC04 – Classic Hex Inverter

Key Characteristics

• Six inverters in one IC
• Standard HC CMOS logic
• DIP and SMD packages available

Strengths

✔ Multiple gates in one package
✔ Low cost and widely available
✔ Good noise margins
✔ Simple PCB routing

Limitations

❌ Slower switching speed
❌ Larger package size
❌ Higher input capacitance

Best Applications

• General-purpose digital logic
• Educational and hobby projects
• Control signal inversion

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⚙️ 3. 74LVC1G04 – Ultra-Fast Low-Voltage Inverter

Key Characteristics

• Single inverter
• Low Voltage CMOS (LVC) technology
• Very fast switching speed
• Supports very low supply voltages

Strengths

✔ Operates from 1.65 V
✔ Extremely fast propagation delay
✔ Strong output drive
✔ Excellent for high-speed digital systems

Limitations

❌ Not always 5 V tolerant
❌ Slightly higher cost
❌ Requires careful level compatibility

Best Applications

• High-speed digital interfaces
• Low-voltage MCUs (1.8 V / 3.3 V)
• Clock and timing circuits

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Electrical Specification Comparison

Parameter	MC74VHC1G04	74HC04	74LVC1G04
Logic Family	VHC	HC	LVC
Number of Gates	1	6	1
Supply Voltage	2.0 – 5.5 V	2.0 – 6.0 V	1.65 – 5.5 V
Propagation Delay	~4 ns @ 5 V	~8–10 ns @ 5 V	~2 ns @ 3.3 V
Output Drive	±8 mA	±4 mA	±24 mA
Power Consumption	Very low	Low	Very low
Input Compatibility	CMOS / TTL	CMOS	CMOS
Package Size	Very small	Larger (DIP/SOIC)	Very small
Speed Rating	High	Moderate	Very high

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Which One Should You Choose?

✅ Choose MC74VHC1G04 if:

• You need one inverter only
• PCB space is limited
• Moderate-to-high speed is required
• You want TTL compatibility at 5 V

✅ Choose 74HC04 if:

• You need multiple inverters
• Cost and simplicity matter
• Speed is not critical
• You want DIP package support

✅ Choose 74LVC1G04 if:

• Your system runs at 1.8 V or 3.3 V
• High-speed or clock signals are involved
• Strong output drive is required
• Compact SMD design is preferred

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Final Verdict

Application	Best Choice
General logic inversion	74HC04
Compact embedded systems	MC74VHC1G04
High-speed / low-voltage logic	74LVC1G04

All three ICs serve the same logic function, but the right choice depends on speed, voltage level, gate count, and board space.