Changes

|version = 1.6.0 {{Version|PCSX2}} <small>(Stable)</small>

|'''[https://pcsx2.net/downloads/#stable-anchor Stable builds]'''

|'''[https://pcsx2.net/downloads/#nightly-anchor Nightly builds]'''

===Minimum===* OS: See [https://github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/blob/master/common/RedtapeWindows.h#L27 Windows 10 1809 or newer (64-bit)]<ref group=N name=PCSX2x86>[https://github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/releases/tag/v1.7.2485 32-bit architecture], [https://github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/pull/4329 SSE2 instruction], and [https://github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/releases/tag/v1.7.3772 wxwidgets support] were dropped after stable release 1.6.0.</ref>, Ubuntu 20.04/Debian or newer, Arch Linux, or other distro (64-bit), macOS 10.13* CPU: Supports SSE4.1 instruction<ref group=N name=PCSX2x86></ref>, two physical cores with hyperthreading, [https://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html PassMark Single Thread Performance rating near or greater than 1800] (Intel Core i3-3240 or Athlon 200GE)* GPU: Support Direct3D10, OpenGL 3.x, Vulkan 1.1 or Metal, 2 GB Video Memory, [https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html PassMark G3D Mark rating around 3000] (GeForce GTX 750, Radeon RX 560 or Intel Arc A380)* RAM: 4 GB ===Recommended===* OS: Windows 10 21H2 or newer (64-bit), Ubuntu 22.04/Debian or newer, Arch Linux, or other distro (64-bit), macOS 10.13* CPU: Supports AVX2 instruction, four physical cores with or without hyperthreading, [https://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html PassMark Single Thread Performance rating near or greater than 2600] (Intel Core i3-10100 or Ryzen 3 4300G)* GPU: Support Direct3D12, OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.3 or Metal, 4 GB Video Memory, [https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html PassMark G3D Mark rating around 6000] (GeForce GTX 1650 or Radeon RX 570)* RAM: 8 GB https://github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2Computer_specifications#system-requirements<references group=N /> '''Note;'''<br />Recommended Single Thread Performance is based on moderately complex games. Games that pushed the PS2 hardware to its limits will struggle on CPUs even at this level<ref group=N2 name=intensive>[https://wiki.pcsx2.net/Category:CPU_intensive_games CPU-intensive games (PCSX2 wiki)], [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-LIST-The-Most-CPU-Intensive-Games CPU-intensive games (PCSX2 forum thread)] and [https://wiki.pcsx2.net/Category:GPU_intensive_games GPU-intensive games (PCSX2 wiki)], [http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-LIST-The-Most-GPU-Intensive-Games GPU-intensive games (PCSX2 forum thread)]</ref> but some release titles and 2D games which underutilized the PS2 hardware may run on CPUs rated as low as 1200.<ref group=N2 name=NOTintensive>[http://forums.pcsx2.net/Thread-LIST-Games-that-don-t-need-a-strong-CPU-to-emulate Games that don-t need a strong CPU to emulate for weak processors]</ref> Recommended GPU is based on 3x Internal, ~1080p resolution requirements. Higher resolutions will require stronger cards; 6x Internal, ~4K resolution will require a [https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html PassMark G3D Mark] rating around 12000 (GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 6600 or Intel Arc A750). Just like CPU requirements, this is also highly game dependent.<ref group=N2 name=intensive></ref> <references group=N2 />

Despite Windows 7 and 8.1 '''NOT''' being officially supported, [https://i.imgur.com/BsFBw1w.png 1.7-dev builds (up to version v1.7.3581) of PCSX2 can work with a few workarounds]. You'll need:

* [https://github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/releases/tag/v1.7.3581 1.7.3581-wxWidgets build]<ref group=N2 nameabbr title=win7build>"Latest compatible build with Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 [https://githubworkaround.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/releases/tag/v1">1.7.3582 (v1.7.3582: stenzek's x86 PR merge)] might cause issues. [https://github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/releases/tag/v1.7.3771 v1.7.3771] (latest 3581-wxWidgets build)</refabbr>]* [https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/releases dxvk] '''OR ''' [https://reshade.me/ reshade]

For starters, extract PCSX2 in a folder and then extract the 64-bit dxvk: d3d11.dll and dxgi.dll '''OR''' extract Reshade.exe: and rename "reshade64.dll" to "dxgi.dll" and then move this file next to the main PCSX2 executable.You'll also need to select [https://forumsi.pcsx2imgur.netcom/Thread-My-new-fork-of-PCSX2-makes-1-6-0-compatible-flxI0GH.png Cubeb] as the audio renderer. Otherwise, it'll crash with-Windows-XP For XAudio. And lastly, always pick between Vulkan, OpenGL and Software. D3D11/D3D12 can crash occasionally, and it won't function as intended anyways. '''Don't expect any official support if you post logs showing you're using Windows XP, use this build]7, 8, or 8.1.'''

For starters, extract PCSX2 in a folder and then extract the 64-bit dxvk[https: d3d11//forums.dll and dxgipcsx2.dll OR Reshade: "reshade64.dll renamenet/Thread-My-new-fork-of-PCSX2-makes-1-6-0-compatible-with-Windows-> dxgi.dll" files next to the main executableXP For Windows XP, use this build.Youdon'll also t need to select [https://i.imgur.com/flxI0GHworkaround for this build.png Cubeb] as Note that this build does not include the audio Direct3D9 renderer(or any DirectX rendering). OtherwiseIf you want to use the old D3D9 renderer, it'll crash with XAudioyou will need to use the official build 1. And lastly, always pick between Vulkan, OpenGL and Software4. D3D11/D3D12 can crash occasionally, and it won't function as intended anyways.'''Don't expect any official 0 which is the last to officially support if you post logs showing you're using Windows XP, 7, 8, or 8.1.'''

<references group=N2 Latest wxWidgets build (but its not compatible with Win7, 8 and 8.1 workaround because of fast memory implementation): [https:/>/github.com/PCSX2/pcsx2/releases/tag/v1.7.3771 v1.7.3771].

PCSX2 is also able to run PS1 games by emulating the original hardware's built-in backward compatibility. Unfortunately, there's some PS1 software that doesn't run correctly (if at all) on a real PS2 and therefore is unlikely to be compatible with this emulator either, so you'll still need a more straightforward [[PlayStation emulators|PS1 emulator]] for those. PCSX2's PS1 support is inaccurate even compared to a real PS2, and it was largely added as a proof-of-concept and is only really useful for novelty purposes.

The DualShock 2 joypad bundled with the PS2 has all buttons and sticks with variable pressure states.  While most PS2 games don't require this feature, instead preferring variable trigger/stick pressure (e.g., sneaking past the sleeping dog in ''Chulip''), a select few do. Some examples include: * All three attack buttons in ''The Bouncer'' precipitate different attacks based on whether the press is light, medium, or strong. The same goes for the musical game ''Mad Maestro''.* ''Star Ocean 3'' has a musical item that plays different melodies depending on pressure, and they're required for progressing. Games requiring variable trigger pressure need physical controllers with analog sticks, but third-party controllers which support variable pressure buttons are rare. To know if your controller supports it, open the LilyPad plugin settings by going to the PCSX2 menu and selecting "Config", "Controllers (PAD)", and "Plugin Settings". At the LilyPad plugin popup, select your gamepad from the list of detected controllers in the "Device Diagnostics" box in the lower left, then click the "Test Device" button. A small popup window will appear, showing a list of all the gamepad's buttons and their current state. 0.000 = indicates unpressed, 1.000 = indicates fully depressed. Roll either analog stick around. See how the values change from 0.000 to 0.xyz, with the .xyz values shifting incrementally. These changing .xyz values show how the plugin detects different changes in angle as you move the analog stick around. Now press any of the buttons normally used by games, i.e., the triangle/square/cross/circle buttons. See how the values immediately shift from 0.000 (unpressed) directly to 1.000 (pressed) If your gamepad really has pressure-sensitive buttons, you'll see gradual 0.xyz changes as you slowly press each button, just like the different changes in angle as you move the analog sticks around.If the buttons change from 0.000 directly to 1.000, that proves your gamepad buttons aren't pressure-sensitive and are merely tracking the pressed/unpressed state.  The solution would be to either buy an official DualShock 3 controller and use an appropriate 3rd party driver such as [[SCP Driver Package]] or map the button to a rarely used trigger/stick in LilyPad this way: An additional button needs to be mapped to circle as well but configured to deliver "light" pressure. This is done by opening the gamepad plugin configuration and choosing a rarely used key - for example, the lower shoulder button L2 - and remapping it to the circle button and setting the sensitivity to 0.500 or thereabouts. In the game, merely use the remapped L2@circle button to deliver "light" tap/hold tunes, while the regular circle button can be used normally to deliver "hard" tap/hold tunes.{{Main|PlayStation_2_emulators#Pressure_Sensitive_Buttons}}

Lightgun support is was available in the PCSX2 emulator via a third-party plugin called nuvee. This allows you to use and mouse or mouse-compatible device (such as a lightgun) to play the sizeable PS2 library of lightgun games.<ref>https://lightgungamer.com/pcsx2</ref>This is no longer relevant since the removal of the plugin system, now PCSX2 handles lightgun support by itself.

==See alsoMultiplayer on PCSX2==* See [[How To Play PCSX2 Online]]* [[Online PS2 gamesPlayStation 2 emulators#Hardware features and accessories]]-> LAN or Network Adapter sections, also you can use LAN tunelling for offline multiplayer play.