PS1 Emulation: Beetle PSX Vs. PCSX ReARMed

[hypercybermegatron]

-Ryzen 1800x
-GTX 1080ti

I've just started playing around with RetroArch and PS1 emulation, noticed that there are two PS1 cores.

I've tried Beetle PSX but this has never worked properly. Lots of glitches and doesn't work with the RA stock phosphor shader at all. I've mucked around with various graphics settings but nothing improves. Although I see lots of folks using RA on Windows 10 swear by this core.

However, PCSX ReARMed works fine. No issues at all apart from choppy audio to start, but this was solved by changing audio from Xsound to Dsound. Works fine with phosphor shader too.

I've seen it mentioned here and there that the PCSX ReARMed core is meant for ARM processor emulation (eg. Raspberry Pi) and Beatle is meant for Windows but what I'm curious about is that in the Steam version only PCSX ReARMED is showing as downloadable content.

Is PCSX ReARMed the de facto PS1 core for Windows 10?

[Persechini]

There are cores that are more popular, but there is no de facto core for anything (well, unless there is only one, or other cores are very outdated). If a core works better for you on your setup, that's the core for you until you feel like other options offer something you want that the current core does not. Until then, don't overthink it

[☣Patient Zero☣]

I don't have the beta but in standard retroarch I use beetle psx HW for 3d games, beetle psx for 2d games and anything that doesn't work on beetle I use rearmed. epsxe is currently my go to for ps1 though, at least for my 3d games.

make sure you have set it up correctly
https://docs.libretro.com/library/beetle_psx/
you should want to bookmark this link as it has info on other cores/emus too.

[rafaelvjaco]

Beetle PSX HW is by far the best core if you want better graphics. There are many options so be sure to check the docs. You should try to make it work, it's worth it. And be sure to use with vulkan video driver, it's a lot faster.

If you want a more accurate core, Beetle PSX (software) is the best option. Great for 2D games.

Duckstation core is great if you want good graphics but something simpler to configure.

I don't like PCSX Rearmed at all.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Beetle PSX HW is the best core IMHO, if your device can support Vulkan that be great, OpenGL not bad either. Software Beetle is nice for trying to have a more accurate game, but if you want to go beyond just accurate then that where HW comes in as has more options.

The PCSX Rearmed is alright, not bad either, just not my favor IMO, I rather get Beetle above all else really.

[Bolshoi Kachek]

You should look into Duckstation as well. It's my personal preference. You can choose which hardware renderer you want (I ended up using DX11, it worked best with Steam Link) and it felt like configuring it was easier than Beetle PSX HW. (I never tried PCSX ReARMed.)

[AWAWA Liz]

Originally posted by Bolshoi Kachek:

You should look into Duckstation as well. It's my personal preference. You can choose which hardware renderer you want (I ended up using DX11, it worked best with Steam Link) and it felt like configuring it was easier than Beetle PSX HW. (I never tried PCSX ReARMed.)

My older brother discovered DuckStation (SwanStation) for RetroArch too and showed it to me as well, I use that for the desktop version.

It is a fairly new core but it shows a lot of promise for visually stunning 3D games. I would like to see more talk of this core.

[sere]

Originally posted by Mona Lizzard:

Originally posted by Bolshoi Kachek:

You should look into Duckstation as well. It's my personal preference. You can choose which hardware renderer you want (I ended up using DX11, it worked best with Steam Link) and it felt like configuring it was easier than Beetle PSX HW. (I never tried PCSX ReARMed.)

My older brother discovered DuckStation (SwanStation) for RetroArch too and showed it to me as well, I use that for the desktop version.

It is a fairly new core but it shows a lot of promise for visually stunning 3D games. I would like to see more talk of this core.

I use PGXP options and play mostly full 3d games. Duck/Swanstation has been the better experience for me over Beetle HW in both Android and Windows.

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by sere:

Originally posted by Mona Lizzard:

My older brother discovered DuckStation (SwanStation) for RetroArch too and showed it to me as well, I use that for the desktop version.

It is a fairly new core but it shows a lot of promise for visually stunning 3D games. I would like to see more talk of this core.

I use PGXP options and play mostly full 3d games. Duck/Swanstation has been the better experience for me over Beetle HW in both Android and Windows.

IIRC, Beatle HW requires all three SCHP-500X series PS1 BIOS's to work.

[Sekoku]

Neither one emulated Parasite Eve 2 for me successfully. Partially because the Cores on Steam don't have the slower CPU clock ability that other Retroarch's/non-Steam had. :/

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

Originally posted by Sek:

Neither one emulated Parasite Eve 2 for me successfully. Partially because the Cores on Steam don't have the slower CPU clock ability that other Retroarch's/non-Steam had. :/

The CPU clock of games is Core dependent.

Did you make sure the backup you made was in Bin/Cue format, and that you have to add the .cue file as content while the .bin file is in the same folder?