PPSSPP Performance Optimisations

FAQ User Insights
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:red_question_mark: Q: Can I improve performance on lower end devices like the TrimUI Brick or RGxx/H series of handhelds?

A: To some extent, yes—but you’re largely limited by the device’s hardware, thermal constraints, and game-specific quirks. That said, there are a few things you can try to squeeze out better performance.

:gear: Recommended PPSSPP Settings

as a starting point, I usually select these options - though your experience might vary based on title

Rendering Mode

  • Rendering resolution: 1x PSP (try 2x on lightweight games to shift load to the GPU)
  • Fullscreen: Enabled
  • Vsync: Disabled

Framerate Control

  • Frame skipping: 1
  • Frame skipping type: Number of frames
  • Auto frameskip: Enabled
  • Alternative speed (both options): Disabled

Speed Hacks

  • Skip buffer effects: Disabled
  • Disable culling: Enabled
  • Skip GPU readbacks: Skip
  • Lazy texture caching: Enabled
  • Spline/Bezier quality: Low

Performance

  • Buffer graphics: Up to 2
  • Hardware transform: Enabled
  • Software skinning: Enabled
  • Upscale type: Hybrid + Bicubic
  • Upscale level: Off
  • Deposterize: Disabled

Texture Filtering

  • Anisotropic filter: Off
  • Texture filtering: Linear
  • Smart 2D texture filtering: Disabled

:light_bulb: Tips and Tricks

  • Cheats like “30 FPS [fixed]” can sometimes stabilize performance in choppy games.
  • Some games allow bumping the rendering resolution from 1x to 2x with no major hit—or even an improvement—depending on GPU offload.
  • Clearing the texture cache can resolve sudden slowdowns, especially after switching rendering backends:
    • Look under:
      ~/.config/ppsspp/PSP/SYSTEM/CACHE
      Deleting contents here can help restore lost performance.
  • Performance can fluctuate between areas of a game or degrade when the device heats up. Tuning may be needed per game.
  • Some games just won’t run well, no matter what you try—manage expectations accordingly.
  • TrimUI builds have Vulkan available as a backend renderer; selecting Vulkan might result in better performance; though it also, may not.
  • :police_car_light: Anbernic RG Builds do not have Vulkan available.

:ice: Bottom Line

You’re working within tight hardware limits. These settings and tips can help, but PPSSPP performance on this device is mostly a “nice to have” and varies game by game. You will need to both explore and experiment and keep realistic expectations about your device. If you want play PSP with full speed and accuracy you might have to consider buying a PSP, a PS Vita or playing on higher end emulation hardware.

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