PCSX2 1.2.1 Minor slowdown on SR:ZG

[Handepsilon]

So... I've bought a new laptop with these specs :

OS : Windows 7 x64-bit
Processor : AMD A8-5550M
RAM : 4.00 GB
Graphics : AMD Radeon HD 8550G + 8570M Dual Graphics

And these are my settings :
PLUGIN

GS
Plugin : GSdx 5875 (MSVC 18.00, SSE2) 0.1.16
Adapter : AMD Radeon HD 8550G + 8570M Dual Graphics
Renderer : Direct3D11 (Hardware)
Interlacing : None (recently edited)
Resolution : cycles back and forth on Native and 512 x 512, no difference on performance hit

SPU2
Plugin : SPU2-X
Interpolation : 0 - Nearest
Module : 1 - XAudio 2
Disable Effects Processing ticked

EMULATION

EE/IOP and VUs are mostly set to either recompiler, chop/zero, and none

I use maximum speedhacks, ticked everything except fast CDVD

I play Sonic Riders : Zero Gravity with ISO, but the framerate fluctuates between 40-50. It's PAL ISO, so still playable, but kind of slow on most part, especially since it's a Sonic and racing game.

I know it could run faster because it runs a bit smoothly when passing the first stage's start point, but somehow it decides to slow down for the rest of it, even a lot worse when charging up the laptop (the laptop slows down when charging) to the point where it can run only about 30 fps. I wonder what I do wrong with my settings

[Blyss Sarania]

The problem is the extremely low single threaded performance of your chip.

[Handepsilon]

The problem is the extremely low single threaded performance of your chip.

Are you referring to the Processor? 'cause as far as I was told, my processor can rival (not above) Intel i5.

[Nobbs66]

It won't even be close to a mobile i5. A desktop i5 like I have will demolish it. My friend had the same cpu and it was essentially a space heater.

[Blyss Sarania]

Are you referring to the Processor? 'cause as far as I was told, my processor can rival (not above) Intel i5.

Depends on what that person meant by "rival."

Overall performance(higher is better):

A8-5550M - 3024
i5-3210m - 3804

Single threaded performance(higher is better):

A8-5550M - 1032
i5-3210m - 1515

Source: cpubenchmark.net

So you can see the Ivy Bridge i5 handily defeats your chip. SB i5s compare more favorably, but are still significantly faster, especially in single threaded performance. However neither of these chips are ideal for PCSX2, just to let you know.

Regardless, unless you spend a large amount of money on a laptop, PCSX2 just doesn't run that well on them.

[Andrew LB]

Are you referring to the Processor? 'cause as far as I was told, my processor can rival (not above) Intel i5.

Sorry to say this but it seems you are another victim of the AMD fanboy club and their pipe dreams. I've seen the same claim made over and over but it's just not true.

The AMD A8 5550M is substantially slower than Intel's low end i3-3220 processor.

http://cpuboss.com/cpu/AMD-A8-5550M

There have been a couple cherry picked benchmarks where the A8-5550M did well and that is only because they were synthetic tests specifically used to exaggerate performance of AMD's new Mantle API.

I'm running a desktop i5-4670K and at stock speeds (3.4ghz), the difference is like night vs day. I run mine at 4.4ghz and never looked back.