PSP Firmware Update Unlocks Full CPU

**MIG-31** · Jun 23, 2007, 08:10 AM

Source: Gamesutra
_______________
Following unconfirmed internet reports, a representative from Sony America has told Gamasutra last month's firmware update has given developers access to the PSP's full 333MHz CPU speed, after previously being capped at 222MHz.

A SCEA rep confirmed to Gamasutra that "developers can now use the full 333mhz CPU speed as of firmware 3.50," the firmware update that otherwise added Remote Play functionality allowing PSP users to access their PS3 console remotely from any available wireless connection to stream music, photos, and videos.

Sony could not confirm that the new policy would affect older PSP titles, including an option for consumers to manually switch CPU modes, saying that "this change affects future software titles/titles in development."

Neither did the company add any additional comments on the prospects of decreased battery life due to the higher CPU speed.

BlueMak · Jun 23, 2007, 10:22 AM

Why on purpose slow down your own CPU?

Erroneus · Jun 23, 2007, 10:30 AM

Battery-time, heat, stablity-issues.

BlueMak · Jun 23, 2007, 10:54 AM

I can understand the others, but battery time? You mean there are people who actualy use their PSP outside their own home? Live and learn!

Tipstaff · Jun 23, 2007, 10:56 AM

In this case it was the first of the 3 reasons: battery. Just before the system was released to the public Sony noticed that the PSP would eat through the battery at a very stupidly fast rate, so they decided to cap the CPU at 222mhz. Not too big a deal as long as developers optimized their game for that speed. Problem was that with some of the first games that came out for the PSP, games such as SmartBomb, they all ran like pure $4!7, slow, and cumbersome, while others were obviously a bit slower than they should be (Untold Legends, for instance). Developers had the game optimized for the 333mhz speed, and at the full clock rate those games would have run silky smooth.

One benifit of the higher clock rate: load times should be faster. That should cut Smackdown vs Raw 2006 3 minute load time down to 2 or 1-1/2 minutes.

Jun 23, 2007, 08:10 AM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 55,743 Rep Power: 444 System Specs	PSP Firmware Update Unlocks Full CPU Source: Gamesutra _______________ Following unconfirmed internet reports, a representative from Sony America has told Gamasutra last month's firmware update has given developers access to the PSP's full 333MHz CPU speed, after previously being capped at 222MHz. A SCEA rep confirmed to Gamasutra that "developers can now use the full 333mhz CPU speed as of firmware 3.50," the firmware update that otherwise added Remote Play functionality allowing PSP users to access their PS3 console remotely from any available wireless connection to stream music, photos, and videos. Sony could not confirm that the new policy would affect older PSP titles, including an option for consumers to manually switch CPU modes, saying that "this change affects future software titles/titles in development." Neither did the company add any additional comments on the prospects of decreased battery life due to the higher CPU speed. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Jun 23, 2007, 10:22 AM	#2
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,242 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	Why on purpose slow down your own CPU? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Jun 23, 2007, 10:30 AM	#3
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,342 Rep Power: 114 System Specs	Battery-time, heat, stablity-issues. __________________

Jun 23, 2007, 10:54 AM	#4
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,242 Rep Power: 326 System Specs	I can understand the others, but battery time? You mean there are people who actualy use their PSP outside their own home? Live and learn! __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Jun 23, 2007, 10:56 AM	#5
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,658 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	In this case it was the first of the 3 reasons: battery. Just before the system was released to the public Sony noticed that the PSP would eat through the battery at a very stupidly fast rate, so they decided to cap the CPU at 222mhz. Not too big a deal as long as developers optimized their game for that speed. Problem was that with some of the first games that came out for the PSP, games such as SmartBomb, they all ran like pure $4!7, slow, and cumbersome, while others were obviously a bit slower than they should be (Untold Legends, for instance). Developers had the game optimized for the 333mhz speed, and at the full clock rate those games would have run silky smooth. One benifit of the higher clock rate: load times should be faster. That should cut Smackdown vs Raw 2006 3 minute load time down to 2 or 1-1/2 minutes. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.