PSP’s 333 MHz speed restrictions revisited
We know that this is probably old news to veteran developers, but community tech site Beyond3D has reported that the PlayStation Portable’s full speed clocks at 333 MHz (166 MHz bus) at certain conditions for official firmwares. A game should not be running Wi-Fi, or else the clock dips back to 222 MHz (111 MHz bus) – the stock PSP clock settings and maximum clock rate prior to Firmware 3.5.
Before Sony unlocked the maximum clock speed, developers could only access the 333 MHz mode through debugging mode, offering a little more processing power while monitoring executed code as games were running. Today, however, several games have been developed to consume the extra processing juice provided by the 111 MHz bump, though they are seemingly limited only to single player games.
Implications of this development come double edged: single player games that do come with multiplayer modes will probably be limited to 222 MHz throughout, unless game developers press for an upgraded engine for single player and downgraded engines for multiplayer. Both options will be equally stressing to developers and also serve as a reminder for other aspiring developers who plan to require as much processing power available coupled with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Beyond3D speculates that the PSP clock limitation was enacted to limit the battery drain to some degree. They are optimistic that the restriction may be withdrawn completely in the near future, perhaps with another Firmware update.
Via Beyond3D
We know that this is probably old news to veteran developers, but community tech site Beyond3D has reported that the PlayStation Portable’s full speed clocks at 333 MHz (166 MHz bus) at certain conditions for official firmwares. A game should not be running Wi-Fi, or else the clock dips back to 222 MHz (111 MHz bus) – the stock PSP clock settings and maximum clock rate prior to Firmware 3.5.
Before Sony unlocked the maximum clock speed, developers could only access the 333 MHz mode through debugging mode, offering a little more processing power while monitoring executed code as games were running. Today, however, several games have been developed to consume the extra processing juice provided by the 111 MHz bump, though they are seemingly limited only to single player games.
Implications of this development come double edged: single player games that do come with multiplayer modes will probably be limited to 222 MHz throughout, unless game developers press for an upgraded engine for single player and downgraded engines for multiplayer. Both options will be equally stressing to developers and also serve as a reminder for other aspiring developers who plan to require as much processing power available coupled with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Beyond3D speculates that the PSP clock limitation was enacted to limit the battery drain to some degree. They are optimistic that the restriction may be withdrawn completely in the near future, perhaps with another Firmware update.
Via Beyond3D
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