Home >> Internet Games >> PlayStation

Why ePSXe Slows Down the Second Time I Use It

The enhanced PSX emulator, or ePSXe for short, is special computer software that allows users to play their Sony PlayStation games without the need for the actual console. The software emulates the console hardware on your computer, allowing the games to run. The first time you start ePSXe, you have to configure the various settings. Once you restart the software, these settings take effect, so if any slowdown occurs, it is due to incorrect settings or activated features that push the computer beyond its limits. Some games are also not emulated perfectly, which can cause slowdown.

System Requirements
- If your computer does not meet or exceed the system requirements for ePSXe, you will encounter slowdown while playing some games. Games with relatively simple graphics, like some of the PlayStation launch titles, might work at the correct speeds, but if you use ePSXe for a second time and load a more visually complex game, you will experience slowdown. The speed of the emulation is highly dependent on the power of your processor and graphics card, so these two components can be upgraded for better results.
Incorrect Settings
- The first time you run ePSXe, you will be presented with a config setup wizard that guides you through the steps to set up the emulator correctly. You have to specify the location of the original PlayStation BIOS as well as configure the video, sound, CD-ROM and gamepad options. Once you have configured the settings, the changes will take effect when the program is launched for a second time. If you experience slowdown, access the config menu again and make changes to the settings, such as resolution, texture quality and frame rate, to get better speeds.
CD-ROM Speed
- ePSXe has the ability to play PlayStation games from the original CD as well as through ISO backup files. When playing a game from the CD, slowdown can occur if the CD drive is not reading the data fast enough. This may be most noticeable during FMV (full motion video) playback, where you will encounter stuttering if the CD-ROM cannot keep up. For best results, create an ISO file backup of the game and run it from your hard drive in order to prevent slowdown.
Problematic Games
- Some games have known problems with their frame rate and slowdown will occur when trying to play these through ePSXe. The help file that is included with the ePSXe download provides a list of games that have problems, as well as methods for playing them correctly. The "Special Game Fixes" section of the "Config Video" menu has a list of options that can be activated to prevent problems like slowdown from occurring. Sometimes reverting back to an older version of the ePSXe emulator can yield performance increases, as the introduction of new features sometimes breaks compatibility with certain titles.

PlayStation