PCSX2

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PCSX2

Screenshot of PCSX2
Developed by	Linuzappz, Zerofrog, Refraction, Saqib
Latest release	0.9.4 / November 11, 2007
Preview release	0.9.5 SVN
OS	Microsoft Windows, Linux
Genre	PlayStation 2 emulator
License	GNU General Public License
Website	PCSX2.net

PCSX2 is a PlayStation 2 (PS2) emulator for the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. With the most recent versions, many PS2 games are playable (although speed limitations have made play-to-completion tests for many games impractical), and several games are claimed to have full functionality.^[1] The main bottleneck in PS2 emulation is emulating the multi-core PS2 on PC architecture. Although each CPU can be emulated perfectly, getting the synchronization and timing between them to be accurate is very difficult (Sony itself has found it difficult in perfecting a software emulator of the PS2 on the PlayStation 3).

PCSX2, like its predecessor project PCSX, is based on a plugin architecture, separating several functions from the core emulator. These are the graphics, controls, CD/DVD drive, USB, sound and FireWire (i.Link) ports. Different plugins may produce different results in both compatibility and performance. Additionally, PCSX2 requires a copy of the PS2 BIOS to operate, which is not offered for download by the developer, due to the copyright concerns and legal issues associated with it.

1 Performance
2 Misconceptions regarding speed
3 64-bit extensions
4 Netplay
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Performance

Speed prior to 2006 was between 2 and 15 frames per second (frame/s) depending on the game, PC hardware, and plugin configuration―with the PS2 BIOS itself being one of the fastest pieces of software to emulate. Since the release of version 0.9 in April 2006, performance has greatly increased. Most 2D games and menus can reach 60-120 frame/s when specific plugins are used, and with the latest version, in-game 3D performance on a relatively new desktop computer can reach speeds greater than the native PS2 frame rate of 60 frame/s (NTSC) and 50 frame/s (PAL). In version 0.9, PCSX2 also began supporting dual core CPUs, resulting in a very significant increase in frame rate on systems with dual core processors. As of summer 2006, dual-core CPUs (Athlon 64 X2 and Core 2 Duo running at approximately 3.0Ghz) can run popular 3D games, such as Final Fantasy X, at well over 60 frame/s (when combined with an adequate video card such as the Radeon X1000 series or the GeForce 6+ series). The developers and beta testers claim that Final Fantasy X is fully playable to completion. The PCSX2 team continues to remain actively involved in the development of PCSX2.

[edit] Misconceptions regarding speed

A common misconception regarding PCSX2 is that a processor with a relatively high clock speed, such as a Pentium 4 or Athlon XP (the former with clock speeds as high as 3.8 GHz), should easily be able to emulate PS2 games at full speed. The PS2 has several processing units including a MIPS R5900 chip, MIPS R3000A chip, two custom vector units, and graphics chip (Graphics Synthesizer). With the exception of the MIPS R5900 (clocked at 294.912 MHz) and the MIPS R3000A (clocked at 36.864 MHz, selectable to 33.8688 MHz for PlayStation (1) emulation), all other chips run at the bus speed of 147 MHz. There are several reasons which make emulation of the PS2 on a PC extremely difficult. Architectural differences between an x86-based PC and the PS2 are substantial; emulating multiple chips running in parallel on a single-core processor is quite complex. Taking advantage of dual core processors on PCs is even harder due to the tight synchronization between the PS2 chips. The development team provides a blog, explaining technical details of emulating the PS2.^[2]

[edit] 64-bit extensions

As 64-bit processors grow in popularity, the developers have begun work on the utilization of the 64-bit extensions of these processors to potentially increase speed in PCSX2.^[2] 64-bit versions of Linux can currently take advantage of this, and 64-bit versions of Windows, such as Windows XP Professional x64 Edition or Windows Vista x64, will be used in a future release.

[edit] Netplay

Recently, one of the developers at PCSX2 has been working on allowing the emulator to connect to the PS2 internet service, enabling certain games to be playable over the internet with other players, even if they are playing on a PS2 console. The two games which the PCSX2 team have confirmed to be working with the netplay function on version 0.9.4 are XIII and Monster Hunter,^[3] but there may be more.