Setting up Windows version: Difference between revisions

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Please see [https://pcsx2.net/getting-started.html this abridged guide] in the interim.

===Minimum requirements===

These are the minimum system requirements to run PCSX2. Bear in mind, however, that most games will be unplayable or slow with these specs:

* OS:

:* Windows 7 or newer (32-bit or 64-bit; as of 1.7, Windows 7 is no longer supported)

* RAM:

:* 4 GB of memory

<!--Note that Windows XP will no longer be able to run PCSX2 compiled under modern MS Visual Studio by default (unless Windows XP is specified as a target [http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2012/06/15/10320645.aspx before building]).-->

===Recommended requirements===

These are the recommended system requirements to run PCSX2:

* OS:

:* Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11

* RAM:

:* 8 GB of DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5 memory

{{Tip|Because of the complex nature of emulation, even if you meet the recommended requirements there will be games that will '''NOT''' run at full speed due to emulation imperfection, floating point emulation differences, issues with emulator itself or other problems.}}

==Getting PCSX2==

===Standalone Installer===

This is the default option for most stable build users. The installer will contain the latest stable version of PCSX2. After opening it, you will be able to select the installation options.

First, you will be asked to provide the location for PCSX2 to install. 'Normal Installation' will install itself in your Program Files or another specified destination folder while storing user files (such as memory cards, save states, etc.) in a folder called 'PCSX2' in your 'Documents'. 'Portable Installation' will consolidate PCSX2 to one folder which you designate. Regardless of which you pick, you can also elect to create a start menu shortcut and a desktop shortcut; these are selected by default. After that, you will be able to customize which folder PCSX2 will install to. When you are satisfied with your selection, click 'Install', and the emulator will be installed to the chosen location.  

*''bios'': This is where you should place your BIOS files. By default PCSX2 will look for BIOS in this folder.

*''cheats'': Cheats will be stored and read from here. Cheats are the files with .pnach extension.

*''logs'': Emulator logs are going to be stored here.

*''snaps'': Screenshots are stored into this folder (use ''F8'' to take a screenshot in game).

{{Warning|Remember that savestates made with a certain version of PSCX2 won't be compatible with other versions of the emulator.

'''Save your game's progress on your memory card before updating PCSX2!'''.}}

===Windows binaries===

===Nightly builds===

==Running PCSX2 for the first time==

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===Graphics (GS) plugins===

* GSdx 1.2.0 (AVX2)

* GSdx 1.2.0 (SSE2/AVX)

Note to AMD users: please do '''NOT''' confuse SSE3 with SSSE3 (1 extra S) and SSE4A with SSE4.1, they are totally different and are '''NOT''' supported on AMD systems before Bulldozer/Bobcat. Please fall back to the SSE2 plugin instead in case your system has an older CPU.

{{Tip|

===Pad (input) plugins===

Default PCSX2 installation allows you to select the following PAD plugin:

#LilyPad v0.12.1

This is arguably the most advanced PAD plugin for PCSX2. Use ''configure'' button to open LilyPad configuration dialog.<br />

You'll see a configuration dialog (pictured, click to enlarge).

===Sound plugins===

[[image:SPU2-X_Settings.png|200px|thumb|left|SPU2-X]]

SPU2-X is the most advanced, compatible and up-to-date sound plugin for PCSX2. It was first based on '''Gigaherz's''' SPU2ghz and later modified by '''Jake Stine (Air)'''. This is the only SPU2 plugin that supports audio processing effects (like reverberation and Dolby Pro Logic (if your sound card is able to decode it)). Many games only work correctly with SPU2-X.

*''Interpolation'': Specifies the interpolation algorithm (smoothing low frequency sounds not unlike anti-aliasing algorithms for graphics):

===CDVD plugins===

In most cases you will only need to use the PCSX2 built-in ''ISO loader'' ('''ISO''' option in the ''CDVD'' menu, then use '''ISO Selector''' to select actual game image from the ''image history list'' or choose ''Browse...'' to select the image from disk.<br />

#Gigaherz's CDVD v0.8.0

====cdvdGigaherz====

[[image:Cdvd_Gigaherz_Settings.png|left|thumb|Gigaherz's CDVD]]

*Configuration allows you to select your DVD-ROM drive letter. This option will allow you to play directly from your PS2 DVD without dumping it to an ISO image. Put your PS2 DVD disk in the selected drive before starting emulation.  

===Dev9 (HDD and ethernet) plugins===

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''Emulation Settings'' config window is the collection of main PCSX2 settings to tune the behavior of PCSX2 itself (not unlike the plugins separate configurations can tune the behavior of a particular plugin). You can access the window from ''Config'' => ''Emulation settings'' menu. There are 6 tabs, ''EE/IOP'', ''VUs'', ''GS'', ''GS Window'', ''Speedhacks'' and ''Gamefixes'' each of which has its own set of settings.

EE/IOP tab stands for ''Emotion Engine / Input Output Processor'' which are the core components of the PlayStation®2. The tab contains 4 settings.

[[file:EE-IOP.png|300px|thumb|right]]

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VUs stand for ''Vector Unit''s which are the PlayStation®2 co-processors working in parallel with the EE and IOP CPUs. The PlayStation®2 has two VUs called ''VU0'' and ''VU1''.  

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GS stands for ''Graphics Synthesizer'' PlayStation®2 co-processor responsible for rendering the graphics (but is also used by some games for additional calculations and other purposes). The PCSX2 will work in conjunction with the selected GS plugin (like for ex. [[#GSdx|GSdx]] plugin) to emulate PS2 graphical co-processor and convert its output into input understood by the PC video cards.

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This tab will allow you to control the PCSX2 GUI game window (video output window) behavior:

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Speed hacks are various techniques used to speed up emulation at the cost of emulating accuracy. All of these options '''can cause severe bugs, crashes and other abnormal behavior''' so use them with caution! Some games may benefit from these settings immensely while others can be slowed down or broken. Read the on-screen hints and messages to get more information (especially if you're new to this) they will help you not to break anything.<br />

If your system is '''powerful enough''' to emulate your game in full speed '''you do not need to enable anything here''' because none of these options can improve compatibility.

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This tab contains some game-specific hacks and fixes. These fixes are disabled by default but enabled automatically if the game in question is detected to be running. The ''Automatic Gamefixes'' option can be also switched off (although it is not recommended) in ''System'' sub-menu of PCSX2 main menu. You should not enable these hacks unless you have a game that somehow was not detected by PCSX2 automatically (note also that some of these fixes are not applied automatically).  

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PCSX2 main menu consists of 5 sub-menus.