Integrated Graphics run GC/PS2 emulation full speed?

[chuckster]

Hi all, I've been asking a lot of questions, especially on Emulation, and I've had a lot of help so far, so thanks!

I'm thinking of investing in a small form factor PC like a NUC or Gigabyte BRIX as an emulation box that can stay constantly connected to the TV, like a console. The BRIX supports discrete graphics, at least up to a GTX760, but they're extra of course. I was hoping to get by with around $400-500 invested, and was wondering if integrated graphics have come far enough to run PS2 and Wii games in emulation smoothly? I don't crank up settings like internal resolution or AA, but I do want to play games fullscreen.

So, can it be done with the latest integrated graphics? I just have a 2500k, and though it plays PS1 games like a charm, the integrated graphics couldn't handle PS2/GC/Wii. I had to switch off to the trusty old HD6870 for that.

[Exhuminator]

Okay, first let's look at what the official documentation has to say concerning these two emulators...

PCSX2

PCSX2 Recommended Hardware Requirements:
Windows Vista / Windows 7 (32bit or 64bit) with the latest DirectX
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.2 GHz or better OR i3/i5/i7 @ 2,8 GHz or better OR AMD Phenom II @ 3,2 GHz or better
GPU: 8800gt or better (for Direct3D10 support)
RAM: 1GB on Linux/Windows XP, 2GB or more on Vista / Windows 7
http://wiki.pcsx2.net/index.php/PCSX2#H ... d_Software

Dolphin

Dolphin Recommended GPU:
Compared to processors, choosing a GPU for Dolphin is a fairly simple task. The more powerful the graphics card, the more pixels and enhancements you can throw at it before you’ll see slowdown. However, the biggest thing to watch for is making sure the GPU supports DirectX11.1 and OpenGL 4.4. Dolphin emulates a console that functions very differently from a traditional PC, and uses the latest D3D and OGL features to reduce overhead. If you do not have those extensions, performance will suffer.

NVIDIA: Due to the importance of the OpenGL Extension “Buffer Storage” no NVIDIA GPU before the Geforce 4xx series can be recommended. Despite being a bit old, the Geforce GTX 460 will handle almost any game you throw at it in HD resolutions. Older NVIDIA GPUs will still be able to run the games fine, especially within the D3D backend and in OpenGL with older builds still using the “Vertex Streaming Hack.”

AMD: Unlike the processor battle, AMD’s graphics cards actually fair very well at Dolphin. As of 4.0-1192, AMD video cards see boosts around the board because of the addition of integer math. As such, the AMD HD5770 and should run most games at HD Resolutions.

Intel Onboard: Intel HD3000 and HD4000 can run Dolphin at reasonable speeds, and can even run many games with enhancements; but they will struggle with demanding titles. A full fledged graphics card is highly recommended. IGPs older than the HD3000 are not supported.
http://www.dolphin-emulator.com/system- ... ments.html

So we see there that PCSX2 wants an 8800GT or better, and Dolphin really wants an HD5770. So with that in mind, if you wanted to compare integrated graphics now you have a frame of reference. For example:

http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.ph ... ce-8800-gt

http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.ph ... 000-mobile

Based on the comparison results and reading the documentation for the emulators, I do not believe integrated graphics are going to give you the performance you are seeking.

[hobbes_182]

Based on your price range I would suggest checking out the Alienware Alpha

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-alpha/pd?~ck=mn%E2%80%8B

They start at $499 and I believe they run Windows out of the box. You could also decide to run Steam OS if you wish.

You can also use the comparisons to shop for your own parts and probably build your own box for cheap

[terrin707]

The integrated graphics in my ASUS laptop's i5-4200U processor will run GC and PS2 emulators for a few games at full speed, but the graphics enhancements need to mostly be turned off, and often I need to decrease the resolution of the emulator window (a lot). The experience is not great. If I were to build a computer or buy a computer with this kind of emulation in mind as a goal for the machine, a dedicated graphics unit would definitely be in store.