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What CPU is equivalent to PS2?

What CPU is equivalent to PS2? Let's find out

Updated: Mar 2, 2023 2:37 pm
What CPU is equivalent to PS2?

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The PlayStation 2, released in 2000, was one of the most successful video game consoles of all time, with some 150 million units sold worldwide. Today, we’re finding out what CPU is equivalent to PS2’s custom processor.

Now read: Best CPU for gaming 2023

Whether you’re a fan of classic console gaming or just curious about the technology behind it, read on to discover more about the PS2 CPU and its legacy.


What CPU does the PS2 use?

The PS2 uses a custom CPU called the Emotion Engine, a RISC processor that consists of the “MIPS R5900” core, which is capable of boosting up to a clock frequency of 299MHz. 

As you probably already know, a clock speed of 299MHz is extremely low. Such a low clock frequency is almost unheard of when it comes to mainstream processors. 

The PS2 was released back in 2000, but even back then, we had desktop processors delivering clock speeds up to 2 GHz. 


What is the CPU equivalent to the PS2?

Let me preface this by saying that there’s no exact equivalent to the PS2’s Emotion Engine due to its unique architecture. However, the “Intel® Celeron® Processor 400 MHz, 128K Cache, 66 MHz FSB” (Yes, that is its full name) released in 1999 has very comparable specs, with a locked clock speed of 400MHz and a 32-bit instruction set. 

All mainstream processors today operate on 64-bit instruction sets and feature much higher clock speeds. Even the weakest Celeron processors around today – ones that strip away virtually all performance in favor of lower power consumption – have clock speeds above 1GHz. 


What processor do I need to emulate PS2 games?

Realistically speaking, you probably aren’t searching for a processor equivalent to the PS2s. If you’re interested in playing PS2 games today, you’re searching for a processor that can emulate these games and offer you the same experience on PC. 

PCSX2 is a popular, open-source emulator that offers you the ability to play PS2 games on Windows, Linux, and Mac. While PS2 games themselves are not very resource-intensive, emulating them is, so not every modern system will offer you a comfortable gaming experience. 

PCSX2 recommends you use a CPU with at least 4 cores and a PassMark single-thread rating of 2100 and above. 

For emulating PS2 games on PC, the Intel Core i3-12100 is the lowest you should go if you’re getting a new processor. This is a 4-core, 8-thread CPU (Hyperthreading enabled) with a passmark single-thread rating of about 3500 points, meaning its specs well exceed the requirements listed by the emulator.


Final words

To summarize, the PlayStation 2’s has a custom CPU called the Emotion Engine. While there is no exact equivalent to the Emotion Engine, the Intel Celeron Processor 400 MHz from 1999 has comparable specs.

For those interested in playing PS2 games on PC through emulation, the Intel Core i3-12100 is a great option. Emulating PS2 games is rather resource-intensive because the differences in hardware-based architecture need to be made up computationally.

So, going with a processor any weaker than the 12100 could affect your performance in more demanding titles (not that the PS2 titles are very demanding overall, though). 


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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