Combining fixes and changes over the course of the past four years is the latest stable update to the popular PlayStation 2 emulator PCSX2. The development team has just released version 1.6.0, which comes with a whole host of new things to go over. As seen in the changelog, 1.6.0 is comprised of multiple quarterly updates made starting back in 2016, and all the way up until now in 2020. Such highlights include improving DPI scaling, TAS functionality, PSX memory card support, and so much more, each detail of which is shown in the massive list below. At the time of writing, it's available via package installer or binary on Windows, or can be compiled from source for Linux users.

Q3-Q4 2019, Q1 2010 progress report highlights, read the full report here.

GSdx changelog:

GSdx-HW: Improve search/invalidate texture in render target by correctly matching vertex offsetted draws with buffer offsetted reads in the texture cache.

GSdx-HW: Implemented Software Sprite Renderer feature which allows to CPU emulate (SSE accelerated) certain sprite draws directly from the HW renderer.

GSdx-HW: Added a dedicated fix for Big Mutha Truckers which allows to render the shadows properly. This also allowed us to reduce the crc hack level so there are less effects skipped.

GSdx-HW: Sprite Hack has been completely removed as it is no longer needed and is replaced by far better alternatives.

GSdx-FX: The TFX shader on Direct3D10/11 has been rewritten to match OpenGL code and its' accuracy for certain effects.

GSdx-D3D: Blend no Barrier support has been ported from OpenGL to Direct3D 10/11.

GSdx-GUI: Hardware hacks GUI has been updated for better usability.

SPU2-X changelog:

Fixed the noise generator outputting 4.8 kHz tone instead of white noise.

CDVD changelog:

PCSX2 now ignores non-existent disc sector reads.

Core changelog:

PCSX2: Prevent the UI from hanging/locking up when a game boots.

PCSX2-tas: TAS Recording functionality has been disabled for 1.6 release as there are some issues to work out (such as hanging/locking up the emulator).

PCSX2: DI execution is delayed by one instruction.

PCSX2: Reverted back to older VRender/VBlank timings.

PCSX2: Partially fixed IPU pack command.

PCSX2: Fixed the emulator hanging when pressing F4 too fast when toggling the Frame Limiter in some occasions.

PCSX2: Fixed the emulator hanging when pressing F9 to toggle rendering between Hardware and Software in some occasions.

PCSX2: Fixed the emulator hanging when pressing F9 to toggle rendering between Hardware and Software mode too fast.

PCSX2: First Time Wizard now properly selects the correct GSdx plugin based on the highest instruction set supported by the CPU.

PCSX2: Improved pointer patch command handling.

PCSX2 GUI changelog:

PCSX2: DPI scaling has been improved.

PCSX2: Translations have been updated for the release of 1.6.

Miscellaneous changelog:

GameDB: True Crime: Streets of L.A. (patched).

GameDB: The database has been once again updated with the inclusion of many games with required gamefixes, as well as removal of gamefixes which are no longer needed.

Q2 2018-Q2 2019 Changes


Q2 2018 - Q2 2019 progress Report highlights, read the full report here.

GSdx changelog:

GSdx-HW: Fix half-bottom screen issues on texture/color shuffling.

GSdx-TC: Palette management rework.

Gsdx-HW: implement fixed TEX0 for all renderers.

GSdx: OSD improvements and port to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx: Accurate Date update and partial port to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-GL: Bypass the texture cache when the framebuffer is sampled.

GSdx-GL: Experimental Sparse Texture support.

GSdx-D3D: Improved palette support has been ported from OpenGL to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-D3D: GPU accelerate 8 bits texture conversion port from OpenGL to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-D3D: Depth Emulation port to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-D3D: Channel shuffle port to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-D3D: HDR Colclip blend port to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-D3D: Accurate Blend Fbmask port to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-D3D: Partial SW blending port to Direct3D10/11.

GSdx-D3D: Alpha hack has been removed completely, replaced with Blending Accuracy option.

GSdx-HW: Removal of MSAA support in favor of better optimizations and accuracy.

GSdx-HW: Removal of Direct3D9 renderer in favor of better optimizations and accuracy.

GSdx-HW: Removal of many no longer needed hacks.

GSdx-HW: Add Skipdraw Offset option for Skipdraw hack.

GSdx-GUI: GUI update to improve usability.

Core changelog:

PCSX2-TAS: Input Recording/Playback Functionality (speedrunning tools).

Vector Units: Fix bug in "Branch in Delay Slot" Optimization.

Recompiler: Fix stall in branch delay slot.

PCSX2: Improved GameDB handling.

VIF: A VIF core update has been made to fix Downtown Run.

Gif Unit: Recheck VIF status after a reset is performed when waiting for PATH3 (Fixes Eragon).

PCSX2 GUI changelog:

PCSX2: "FMV Aspect Ratio Switch/Override" feature.

PCSX2: Save/Load slot improvements, allow to display slot dates.

SPU2-X changelog:

SPU2-X-GUI: The gui has been updated to improve usability.

Q1 2018 Changes


Q1 2018 progress report hightlights, read the full report here.

GSdx changelog:

GSdx-TC: Performance improvement by using custom container.

GSdx-TC: Load size calculation in target update.

GSdx: Texture Shuffle port to Direct3D.

GSdx: Channel Shuffle improvements on Direct3D

GSdx: Hack removal/adjustments.

Core changelog:

PCSX2-Counters: Fix Hblank calculation for DVD video modes.

PCSX2 GUI changelog:

PCSX2: Add configurable Cheats folder to Components Selectors.

PCSX2: Display the video mode on titlebar.

Miscellaneous changelog:

Plugins: XPad and USBqemu have been moved to the legacy plugins VS solution.

General: Code cleanup.

Gamedb: Game database has been updated with many new gamefixes included.

Q3-Q4 2017 Changes


Q3 & Q4 2017 progress report hightlights, read the full report here.

GSdx changelog:

GSdx-d3d11: Extend "Preload Frame Data" support to Direct3D.

GSdx: Add Frame Buffer Conversion option.

GSdx: Automatic mipmapping option.

Core changelog:

PCSX2: PSX Memory card support.

PCSX2: Always ask when booting option.

PCSX2: Adaptive Sync support.

PCSX2: Restore "Defaults" option to GS Panel.

PCSX2: Clear ISO list option.

PCSX2 GUI changelog:

PCSX2: Many translations have been updated.

Q1-Q2 2017 Changes


Q1 2017 progress report highlights, read the full report here.

Q2 2017 progress report highlights, read the full report here.

GSdx changelog:

GSdx: Support for dumping GS Dumps in xz format.

GSdx-OpenGL: Reduce Geometry shader overhead.

GSdx-HW: Revamped buffer size calculation for custom resolutions.

GSdx: OSD (On Screen Display) feature.

GSdx: Texture cache speed optimization.

GSdx: Software renderer thread synchronization fix.

GSdx: Improved software renderer float handling.

GSdx: Removal of SSSE3 and AVX configurations.

GSdx: Workarounds for AMD buggy OpenGL driver.

GSdx (Windows): Fix for slow software rendering with Skylake CPUs.

Core changelog:

PCSX2: Fix command-line options.

PCSX2-Counters: Proper tracking of scalar limit.

VIF: Unpack speed optimizations.

Vector Units (VU0): Fix CFC2 transfers from TPC register.

LilyPad and OnePad changelog:

LilyPad and OnePad changelog:

LilyPad: neGcon controller support.

LilyPad: UI Changes/enhancements.

LilyPad: Core improvements, better controller handling.

Onepad: Update to use SDL2.

Miscellaneous changelog:

CMake: Blacklist GCC 7.0/7.1 versions.

Q3-Q4 2016 Changes


Q3 2016 progress report hightlights, read the full report here.

Q4 2016 progress report hightlights, read the full report here.

GSdx changelog:

GSdx: Hardware mipmapping support.

GSdx-TC: Proper scaling of all textures.

GSdx: Handling illegal 8 bits pixel storage format.

GSdx-PCRTC: Feedback write support.

GSdx-glsl: Optimize number of active constant buffers in the shader.

GSdx: Avoid illegal instruction crash on older CPUs.

GSdx: Alpha test improvements.

GSdx: Proper custom resolution scaling.

Core changelog:

PCSX2: PSX mode compatibility.

PCSX2: PSX mode, proper video mode initialization.

PCSX2: Improved patch handling.

PCSX2: Accurate video mode detection.

LilyPad and Onepad changelog:

LilyPad: Add separate bindings for each pad type.

LilyPad: Add PlayStation Mouse support.

LilyPad: Updated user interface.

LilyPad: Add dance pad support and revamped Lilypad dialog.

OnePad: General improvements on accuracy.

CDVD changelog:

cdvdgigaherz: Linux port.

Miscellaneous changelog:

PCSX2: FreeBSD support.

Linux: Support Vsync on Linux free driver.

Windows: Remove DirectX redistributable dependency on Windows 8.1/10.

Q1-Q2 2016 Changes


January - February 2016 progress report hightlights, read the full report here.

Q2 2016 progress report hightlights, read the full report here.

GSdx changelog:

GSdx: Fast texture invalidation option.

GSdx: Improved detection of Framebuffer size.

GSdx: Enable reading of Depth Buffer.

GSdx: Improved PCRTC merge circuit emulation.

GSdx-GL: Fast accurate blending.

GSdx-GL: Depth buffer lookup optimization.

GSdx-FX: Post-Processing updates.

GSdx: Proper handling of 576P/720P/1080I video modes.

Core changelog:

PCSX2: Automatic aspect ratio switch during FMV playback.

VIF: Timing fix for MSCALF, MSCNT instructions.

Vector Units: Scarface I bit gamefix.

CDVD changelog:

CDVDgigaherz: Fixed dual layer DVD reading.

CDVD: Improved ISO layer break detection algorithm.

Lilypad and Onepad changelog:

LilyPad: Add Pop'n Music controller support.

Onepad: GUI redesign.

Miscellaneous changelog:

PCSX2: GUI Improvements.

PCSX2: PCSX2-Auto test suite.

Source

 

[MetoMeto]

Your posts are the best.

Emulation seems faster and smoother now on my old PC.

 

[Deleted User]

if only i didin't have a s****y laptop

 

[raxadian]

Nice but my PS2 still works so maybe I will try when I finally get a new PC.

 

[MetoMeto]

Can someone share settings with best performance with me for
tomb raider aod and
ape escape 3?

Please

 

[CrossOut]

Can someone share settings with best performance with me for
tomb raider aod and
ape escape 3?

Please

I can be hard to say. It depends or your computer. but a quick summation is If you have a better cpu then my amd 4300(haha) and a good graphics card like a gtx 960 you can leave the settings as they are by defalut and you will most likely get great results. What are you computers specs? If they are really good you can go into the vidoe settings and put the resolution up to 1980x1080 which is full hd. You can also enable texture filters and anti aliasing. A good computer means you will not need speed hacks which is really helpful in terms of framerates I think?

 

[Ferris1000]

I don’t trust the new version 1.6 because my anti virus warned me that it’s malicious and it could include a rat tool called BEAST which opens a backdoor to your PC and give unknown people remote access to your PC without given permission so be careful guys.

The Version 1.4 was clean and didn’t contained any malicious code but I’m not sure about Version 1.6.

Since a while a lot of software contains RAT tools or installs hidden VMs with mining software.

 

[Deleted User]

I don’t trust the new version 1.6 because my anti virus warned me that it’s malicious and it could include a rat tool called BEAST which opens a backdoor to your PC and give unknown people remote access to your PC without given permission so be careful guys.

The Version 1.4 was clean and didn’t contained any malicious code but I’m not sure about Version 1.6.

Since a while a lot of software contains RAT tools or installs hidden VMs with mining software.

???
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/f3401d6f74a4306797d9aab298d58c3b3898eb563495c463993f378c9f4801cb

 

[NoNAND]

You got a weird operating system or just a really old PC?

It's a very old emulator

My laptop runs it very well.
I hope this fixes the glitching issues with SMT nocturne

 

[CrossOut]

I don’t trust the new version 1.6 because my anti virus warned me that it’s malicious and it could include a rat tool called BEAST which opens a backdoor to your PC and give unknown people remote access to your PC without given permission so be careful guys.

The Version 1.4 was clean and didn’t contained any malicious code but I’m not sure about Version 1.6.

Since a while a lot of software contains RAT tools or installs hidden VMs with mining software.

This is called a false postive and it happens to me with cheat engine. The download is safe.

 

[MetoMeto]

I can be hard to say. It depends or your computer. but a quick summation is If you have a better cpu then my amd 4300(haha) and a good graphics card like a gtx 960 you can leave the settings as they are by defalut and you will most likely get great results. What are you computers specs? If they are really good you can go into the vidoe settings and put the resolution up to 1980x1080 which is full hd. You can also enable texture filters and anti aliasing. A good computer means you will not need speed hacks which is really helpful in terms of framerates I think?

I just want general performance settings regardless of pc, cause i dont know what options can i tweak and where to lover everything down as much as i can and if i want i can increase to the point where my PC can handle it but still run smoothly. that's the general idea.

as for resolution i'm happy with native really, and 720p is maximum i can go (and don't see reason to go beyond) 'cause my monitor is older also, so...yeah.

As for specs....

Windows 7 64bit
RAM: 8GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-11-28)
CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.20GHz
GPU: Saphire Radeon 1GB HD 6770 GDDR5

So if you can at least point me to general settings for best performance, and tell me what option to tweak and what affect them the most, i'd be happy metroid ^^

 

[64bitmodels]

if only i didin't have a s****y laptop

shitty laptop gang

 

[CrakrHakr666]

Processor Intel(R) Atom(TM) x5-E8000 CPU @ 1.04GHz, 1041 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)

I run this emu on a GPD Win 2. Core m3 dual core. Sure, I can only play it with an internal render of 1x, but that is fine.

I can try it on my GPD Win 1, but I replaced windows with linux on that one.

 

[Jayro]

Don't forget support for x64 so that it can finally get a Retroarch core.

If it's not even x64, why are they still wasting their time with the 32-bit version? That's probably holding back the performance by a shitload. Not to mention it's probably not even multi-threaded. It sure doesn't seem like it is, anyway.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

If it's not even x64, why are they still wasting their time with the 32-bit version? That's probably holding back the performance by a shitload. Not to mention it's probably not even multi-threaded. It sure doesn't seem like it is, anyway.

Because it doesn't boost performance "a shitload" at all, according to the devs. The performance boost would be minimal at best and not worth the effort of completely restructuring the way the emulator was coded to give it more than a bare minimum boost.

Also, it does use multithreading, it'll use up to 3 cores with MTVU.

 

[CrakrHakr666]

Well, running on the GPD Win 1 under linux was a bust.
64-bit x86 Intel Atom x7 Z8750 (1.60 GHz/2.56 GHz max)

Only got about 50% speed.

 

[DuoForce]

the market is flooded with "new" laptops/tablets that are equipped with an intel atom, i'd say 2016 at the oldest is still relatively "new"

Hahahahahahha 2016 is not new

 

[Wooshy]

new laptop, crappy specs

I agree with the point that even new laptops have crappy specs, its like they dont try anymore to give out decent things as long as the form is nice

 

[CrossOut]

I just want general performance settings regardless of pc, cause i dont know what options can i tweak and where to lover everything down as much as i can and if i want i can increase to the point where my PC can handle it but still run smoothly. that's the general idea.

as for resolution i'm happy with native really, and 720p is maximum i can go (and don't see reason to go beyond) 'cause my monitor is older also, so...yeah.

As for specs....

Windows 7 64bit
RAM: 8GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-11-28)
CPU: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.20GHz
GPU: Saphire Radeon 1GB HD 6770 GDDR5

So if you can at least point me to general settings for best performance, and tell me what option to tweak and what affect them the most, i'd be happy metroid ^^

With your hardware in mind, you will have a bit better setting than me i think, Your graphics card may be an issue to run certain games as it is an older card but your have a good i5 cpu so you can twaek a few this to get your games running in HD. First thing is to go into the vido setting and set these options,

Renderer direct3d11
Adapter: your graphics card
interlacing: automatic
texture filtering: Bilinear ps2
Indernal resolution: 2x
anisotrophic filtering: 4x
crc hack level: default
date accuracy: fast
blend accuracy: basic

Sound settings
Aspect ratio: widescreen

custom window size: 1280x720
hw hacks: unless you play certian games you do not need to mess with this from what I understand, so do not use it.

Emulation Settings:

Speedhacks
tick the box that says mtvu. Since you have 4 cores this will help a lot. Now these speed hacks is where things come into play in terms of getting your games running. For me since i have a weaker cpu i need it set higher to beable to run a fair amout of games a constant framerate. You however can get away with a bit less because of you good cpu. So with the setting above run the game you want and mess with these setting and see what framerates you get. You may need to have the ee cyclerate at 130% and the ee cycle skipping at minus 1 like i do? Again play around with all these setting and see what you can get.

custom window size: 1280x720
hw hacks: unless you play certian games you do not need to mess with this from what I understand, so do not use it.

 

[Deleted User]

Hahahahahahha 2016 is not new

why do you think i put "new" in quotation marks, also these things are still freshly sold factory new, acer, asus and HP are the 3 biggest culprits for selling these trashtops

 

[Mama Looigi]

Man I never even knew 1.5.0 came out!
I'VE BEEN ON UPDATE 1.4.0 FOR MONTHS ;O;