PlayStation 3

PlayStation 3

PS3 Specifications

Processor: Cell Microprocessor
Processor Speed: 3.2 GHz
Processor Cores: 9 Cores
Co-Processor: Emotion Engine (1st Gen only, Used for PS2 Emulation)
Co-Processor Speed: 294.912 MHz
System RAM: 256 Mb XDR DRAM
GPU: RSX "Reality Synthesizer"
GPU Speed: 550 MHz
GPU Co-Processor: "Graphics Synthesizer" (1st and 2nd gen only, used for PS2 Emulation)
GPU Co-Processor Speed: 147.456 MHz
Video RAM: 256 MB GDDR3
Resolutions: Up to 1080p output

The Sony PlayStation 3 is the successor to the highest selling video game console of all time, the PlayStation 2. It competed against Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii in what was a bitterly fought battle between the 3 companies, and a battle that was thought right up to the end of the seventh generation of video game consoles.

The PS3 started slowly with both the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox 360 launching a year before the PS3, while this hurt it in the short time it gave more will to Sony to push there console hard. Leading to the console having some of the greatest video games of all time, such as the excellent Metal Gear Solid IV, the Uncharted series, and The Last of Us, this is among a plethora of other highly successful and highly regarded games.

However the delayed launch was not the only negative point to the PS3, while it included much more powerful GPU and CPU then its two competitors, there was a significant flaw with the hardware. That being it was incredibly hard to program for with Sony choosing to make use of the powerful but complex Cell processors. This made it difficult for companies to develop for the console especially near the start of the generation as most companies didn’t have the chance to work out the best way to utilize the processor.

This cell processor is also what makes emulating the PS3 extremely difficult, many people thought it would make emulation of the PS3 unachievable. However these doubts were put to rest when PS3 Emulator RPCS3 was released by DH & Hykem, it proved that emulation of the complicated Cell architecture could be achieved. This was an extremely remarkable and impressive achievement. Over 5 years on from its initial release, RPCS3 is now even managing to emulate actual commercial games and get in game, and even be playable at some decent speeds.

Advertisement

PS3 Emulators

RCPS3 Thumbnail

RCPS3 is the premiere PS3 emulator. It has managed to make considerable strides in emulating the complicated PS3 architecture and can now run several games without any significant hitches.