DailyTech - PSP 3.5 Firmware Unlocks Higher 333MHz Clockspeed

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Gadgets PSP 3.5 Firmware Unlocks Higher 333MHz Clockspeed
Marcus Yam (Blog) - June 25, 2007 8:16 AM

35 comment(s) - last by Procurion.. on Jul 1 at 3:57 PM

PSP goes from 222MHz to 333MHz with new firmware

A little known fact about the PlayStation Portable is that each one on the market operates its games with an underclocked processor. Although the unit ships with a MIPS R4000-based CPU designed for a clockspeed of 333MHz, almost every single PSP game runs at 222MHz.

Sony revealed during GDC 2005 that its development kits limited the clockspeed allowed to developers, though official reasons were not revealed. Some believe that running at a lower clockspeed would drain the battery at a noticeably slower rate than if the processor were allowed to run at full speed.

Sony may be slowly unlocking more power to its developers as the PSP gets further into its lifecycle. High Impact Games’ Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is said to run at 266MHz, representing the handheld’s most demanding game yet.

Now confirmed by SCEA, the latest v3.5 firmware update for PSP – which also adds the ability Remote Play with the PlayStation 3 – finally allows developers to use the full 333MHz the PSP CPU is capable of. The PSP’s newly unshackled abilities do not affect already released games, however, as the speed increase will only be realized and utilized in games that specifically call for the CPU’s top speed.

While licensed software hasn’t pushed Sony’s handheld to 333MHz, modified firmware has. Software released by PSP modders allow for homebrewers to set clockspeeds to 333MHz, resulting in smoother framerates, but at the expense of battery life.

Sony has not yet announced any games that will take advantage of the full CPU speed.

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question

By colonelclaw on 6/25/2007 8:47:55 AM , Rating: 5

i don't own one of these, but i know a few people who do. the common complaint amongst them all is that the battery runs out way too fast. so, won't this new clock speed make it run out even quicker? are are they just a bunch of moaners?

RE: question

By Aikouka on 6/25/2007 8:52:53 AM , Rating: 2

Yes, it will run out quicker. I've never really complained about my PSP's battery life though. I'd say it was on par with my DS Lite until I turned the brightness down on the DS Lite.

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RE: question

By augiem on 6/26/2007 1:03:11 AM , Rating: 3

Hmm... I wouldn't say so at all. PSP runs out in 3-4 hours, but the DS lite seems to go forever. (I charge it about once a month, play games about 1 hour a day, maybe 3-4 days a week.)

I am using it mainly to play old GBA games though. (uses only 1 screen). I did play one true DS game for a few weeks though and it definitely did not die as fast as the PSP.

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RE: question

By Christopher1 on 6/27/2007 1:30:23 AM , Rating: 3

That's why you ALWAYS buy a rechargeable battery, and keep it plugged in when playing at home. Really, how many people are going to play for 4 hours away from an outlet? Not many, even when I was going up to West Virginia with my parents..... it was a 3-4 hour drive, and I had a car battery adapter with me.

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RE: question

By Martimus on 6/28/2007 8:51:43 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
Really, how many people are going to play for 4 hours away from an outlet?

That is kind of the point in having a hand held gaming device isn't it? I wouldn't bother bringing my GBA on a trip that was only 4 hours. I don't know about you, but driving to Florida usually takes me about 20-22 hours.

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RE: question

By JustKidding on 6/25/2007 9:12:47 AM , Rating: 5

quote:
A little known fact about the PlayStation Portable is that each one on the market operates its games with an underclocked processor.

Another little known fact is that PSP batteries last longer if you lick them....

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RE: question

By TheDoc9 on 6/25/07, Rating: -1

RE: question

By clayclws on 6/25/2007 10:53:53 AM , Rating: 3

Marcus started it~!!!

***puts on grumpy face***

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RE: question

By Marcus Yam on 6/25/2007 11:34:16 AM , Rating: 5

Did not.

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RE: question

By Chudilo on 6/25/2007 1:21:41 PM , Rating: 5

Actually. I think kids should be smart enough to think for themselves. You can't protect them from everything forever. They need to learn the self preservation skills to stay alive.

then you won't get the stupid warnings on everything and you won't need the don't try this at home bull.

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RE: question

By typo101 on 6/26/2007 12:30:59 PM , Rating: 5

agreed. Its about time we stopped resisting natural selection.

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RE: question

By Procurion on 7/1/2007 3:57:48 PM , Rating: 2

I peed on an electric fence once..........once.

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RE: question

By chick0n on 6/25/07, Rating: -1

RE: question

By Goty on 6/25/2007 9:47:51 AM , Rating: 2

I've never actually timed how long it takes to kill the battery in my PSP, but I've never managed to kill it in one sitting (one sitting being a 10 hour car trip).

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RE: question

By darkpaw on 6/25/2007 9:52:45 AM , Rating: 3

Mine hasn't lasted more then 3-4 hours since it was new. My original DS is usually good for 8 or so hours.

The PSP is more fun in general I think, but there is definately a battery issue for a lot of people.

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RE: question

By softwiz on 6/25/2007 10:32:01 AM , Rating: 2

The way I read the article...

The battery shouldn't run out any sooner while playing most of the current games available today as they're not going to suddenly run at the new speed.

Unless the game you're playing specifically requests the additional speed, the PSP battery consumption rate be on par with normal.

I also would expect this to be the case as far as all the other (non game related) features on the PSP as well.

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The Picture

By IcY18 on 6/25/2007 8:59:41 AM , Rating: 5

Nice picture!

RE: The Picture

By FITCamaro on 6/25/07, Rating: -1

RE: The Picture

By IceTron on 6/25/2007 12:26:39 PM , Rating: 4

Its ok that your gay. Really.

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RE: The Picture

By Samus on 6/25/2007 4:17:06 PM , Rating: 2

I doubt she play's PSP anyway :)

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RE: The Picture

By xphile on 6/25/2007 9:37:56 PM , Rating: 2

Course she does - that picture was taken just after she was awarded the 2007 World PSP Tongue Hockey high score.

And trust me if you needed a firmware update after watching that you're in big trouble...

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RE: The Picture

By cheetah2k on 6/26/2007 9:51:40 PM , Rating: 2

Sony needs to release the PSP with rumble, er... vibrating... er... ok.. im done.

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RE: The Picture

By Performance Fanboi on 6/27/2007 1:33:30 AM , Rating: 2

Anyone wanna play Guess Where Her Other Hand Is?

Oh and putting your PSP in the microwave on High for a minute or two will make your battery last forever!

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RE: The Picture

By Alpha4 on 6/26/2007 3:30:06 PM , Rating: 4

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/images/jess_psp.jpg

Enjoy! :lol:

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Load times?

By bysmitty on 6/25/2007 9:19:17 AM , Rating: 3

My guess is no but could this possibly help the anguishingly long load times? Battery aside, the load times severely hurt the systems ability to pick up and play; an important feature in a portable system. Not to get too graphic but when I go to use my PSP on the can, I'm already done by the time the game loads and I'm into actual gameplay.

...bysmitty

RE: Load times?

By Devo2007 on 6/25/2007 10:32:54 AM , Rating: 3

I doubt that's the CPU speed causing the load times -- more than likely it's a limitation of the UMD drive.

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RE: Load times?

By Goty on 6/25/2007 12:47:50 PM , Rating: 2

The new revision of the PSP that's been floating around in rumors is supposed to include a faster UMD drive. It kind of leaves current owners out to dry, but with the new one coming out at the same $170 price-point as the current PSP, it's not that big a hassle to sell your current one and buy a new one.

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Reasons for allowing this?

By psychobriggsy on 6/25/2007 9:11:57 AM , Rating: 3

I guess they've done a die shrink (and other power saving measures) on the current PSP (or a near future one) that's going to give longer battery life.

This way they can still claim umpteen hours of battery life (on the new PSP), 50% more performance, and entice people with older PSPs to buy new PSPs if they need a longer battery life.

Pessimistic? Moi?! Never - I'm sure there are a number of other reasons for enabling this now, and few of them are about improving game smoothness and capabilities I'm sure!

Or maybe they need it for an upcoming game, and most new games will still be 222MHz or so.

RE: Reasons for allowing this?

By Griswold on 6/25/2007 9:39:13 AM , Rating: 2

While I dont think that is the case here, it would certainly fit into the "sony picture".

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Go ahead and download 3.5 modders

By 457R4LDR34DKN07 on 6/25/2007 11:40:30 AM , Rating: 3

This is somewhat important, but this is better downgraders... just pick up a copy of lumines: http://www.noobz.eu/joomla/news/beware-of-the-illu...

PSP Firmware 3.5

By bruta1ty on 6/25/2007 9:43:02 AM , Rating: 2

just wish the present psp games could take advantage of this would love it if VCS stopped presenting ugly pop up issues

So,

By PaxtonFettel on 6/25/2007 11:27:46 AM , Rating: 2

it looks like Sony are just slowly unlocking all the features that users of custom firmware have had for a long time, and that should have been available from the start. Sigh.