[FR] Overclocking the PS2 can increase compatibility?

[T3ll3S-05]

Checks

• I have checked existing OPL feature requests for duplicates and found none

Describe the FR

Hello Open PS2 Loader developers! As you may know the PS2 hardware is a very limited console in terms of processing power and RAM compared to the competition from that time. Here's the specifications:

CPU: Emotion Engine, a 128-bit RISC processor clocked at 294.912 MHz.
GPU: Graphics Synthesizer, capable of rendering 16.8 million colors and a resolution of up to 1920x1080 pixels.
RAM: 32MB of RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic Random-Access Memory).
VRAM: 4MB of embedded DRAM.

Describe the solution you'd like

My question is:

RAM/VRAM: is it possible to allocate some megabytes from the internal HDD/USB/FireWire to get more RAM although it's slower? Just like in Windows where it has a feature to use internal storage or a USB drive as RAM. I think it's called ReadyBoost.

CPU/GPU: I don't know if the PS2 has a failsafe mechanism to prevent overheating (would most likely happen on dusty consoles) but is it possible to somehow overclock the EE/GS like in PCSX2 for example? This could potentially solve some compatibility issues in games like Ratchet & Clank: UYA or massive FPS drops in some games.

Describe alternatives you've considered

Some people say that using stock settings assures maximum compatibility as it doesn't need to load extra features such as GSM, PADEMU, VMC, etc... avoiding extra RAM and processing power.

Additional context

Ratchet & Clank: UYA (SLUS_973_53) is a game known for its issues when running on OPL. When the game has too many elements at the same time on the screen the FPS drops in half and consequently the game runs at half speed until the elements are gone.

[TacvicomGN]

In my opinion, about RAM memory, it may be possible, but not recommended, because with this, some processes will freeze occasionally because the speed limit of those ports used to connect those storage devices (with HDD is possible to "survive", but we have to think about those players with a slim console, like me).

About the CPU, is better to respect that speed, and don't overclock it, because (as far as I know) that processor doesn't use an unlocked overclock multiplier (like the current PC processors), and any overheat will possibly destroy the only core and only thread it has in the future.

And... What do you say?

[T3ll3S-05]

I've searched on Google about overclock and in some forums they say that if somehow they change the crystals the CPU clock will change as well as the GPU clock as they seem kinda combined, causing a lot of glitches.

About RAM, yeah you're right but look at this perspective: if the FAT models "exclusively" have the network adapter extension why can't we try to increase the RAM? I know it will be impossible for the SLIM models as you said but maybe increase with SMB if it's even possible?

This might be the stupidest off all but maybe use a CD/DVD to increase speed in some ways? Like caching stuff on the disc.

[Masamune3210]

Yeah, the ps2 doesnt really have the modern concept of a per-device mutable clock source/multiplier, so changing one changes them all. While the CPU might be slightly annoyed but mostly happy with running faster, not everything will be, especially things that heavily rely on timings like the GPU and DEV9.

As for expanding the RAM, is there even pads on the board for more? It would only be useful for homebrew, since games wouldn't know anything about the expanded memory.

The caching idea just makes me once again pine for the wish that more games took advantage of the HDD's existence. A lot of games did in Japan, but the functionality in most cases was stripped out when they were ported to other regions.