Does a Good Computer = Good Emulator FPS?

[MeesterJackson]

Hey, I've just been wondering, do you need a decent/good computer to run at least most emulated games? I've got an A8-5500 with a (pretty bad) Radeon 7470 1GB (I don't select this in the settings of the emulator because it usually actually makes the game run slightly slower depending on the game). 

 

So here's the deal, I can obviously play DS, GBA, and even SOME Wii games, but for some reason my computer struggles with PS2, PS1, and Gamecube games. It either kicks the FPS really high (which for the PS2 emulator I don't know how to lock it at a specific FPS like with the Wii emulator, if you know how to do this, please tell me!) or at certain parts of a game it will slow down/FPS drop. 

 

Is this because of my computer/GPU? If I got a better GPU and ran the game off of it, would that make the game run a lot better? 

[ZetZet]

Yes, it does matter, I think most emulators use OpenCL so amd should be good at that...

[scaryjam823]

My computer struggles on some ps2 games. It just takes a lot of power to emulate those systems. 

[MeesterJackson]

Yes, it does matter, I think most emulators use OpenCL so amd should be good at that...

Unfortunately mines isn't. Looks like I just need a better GPU. Also again, if you or anyone else has experience with the PS2 emulator and being able to lock it's FPS to 60, it'd be a great help since I can't play games like for example, Sonic Unleashed, because it runs at like 100FPS. 

[MeesterJackson]

My computer struggles on some ps2 games. It just takes a lot of power to emulate those systems. 

O_O IT DOES!? Dude you've got an $1,000+ rig! Lol

[scaryjam823]

O_O IT DOES!? Dude you've got an $1,000+ rig! Lol

More like $2500+ lol. But yes it does, like I said it just takes a lot of power to emulate those systems. Even though they weren't that powerful compared to today, it still takes a lot. Something to do with the nature of the architecture of the systems. I looked it all up a few years ago but I can't remember it now. Even the most powerful systems struggle with some ps2 games, just the nature of the beast.

 

You could try finding a different ps2 emulator, it might help the games run better and I know there's one that locks the frames. But it's been a while since I messed with that stuff and I can't remember.

[flibberdipper]

My Dell sometimes does good with PCSX (on Xubuntu) using OpenGL, but everything is buggy as hell.

[Mister Snow]

For fps in PCSX2 check under Config/Emulation Settings/GS and see if Disable Framelimiting option is checked. If it is, turn it off. Never had problems like fps being above normal, usually it goes under. PCSX2 is very CPU demanding and in general Intel processors run it better. It uses max 3 processor cores and benefits from higher clock so 2 cores on say 4GHz are better than 3 on 3Ghz. As for graphic side, it is not that demanding. You can disable Texture filtering under Config/Video/Plugin Settings and see if you get some fps increase. I run it on GF 8600GT and rarely have GPU bottleneck, usually my CPU can't keep up.

[Kilerbomb]

Emulators mainly rely on a good processor. You could run Dolphin at full speed with a 6670 as long as you have an i5 or better CPU. Most AMD CPU's aren't a great option since they are not very good for emulators.

[kuddlesworth9419]

Just get a very strong CPU. Emulators only use the power of a CPU. I haven't come across one yet that utilises the GPU very well.

[MagnetSh0CK]

With more recent emulators for ps2 or gamecube you'll notice more fps going from a 2600k to a 4770k than a better gpu for example. But then again with emulators it's all about settings/plugins so make sure they are up to date and appropriately set for your machine . A 4770k + 6870 will beat a low end AMD cpu + 7970 in fps sadly I've tried...