Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+

ElJako

I experienced the same with a RPI1 years ago. But that model is able to emulate fine those systems.
-Are you using some shaders for the video? RPI1 are weak for that stuff.
-Bad Audio driver?
-A really big resolution by default on your config.txt?
-Try overclocking a bit...
I hope that helps! ;-)

melao

Hi El Jako, actuallly I didnt change anything in Retropie, so it is in default mode.
The resolution is 720p so i guess nothing out of the ordinary.
For audio driver, as I said i didnt change it.

About overclocking, what is would be a safe overclocking settings? I dont want to fry my Pi :)

Thanks for the reply.

ElJako

Hi! Jajaja, is not easy to fry a RPI1. So far that i used the RPI1 for gaming, only remember the parameter that refers to push the cpu to 1050Mhz... but overclocking is not change a single line, you need a "stable" configuration of cpu vs ram vs speed. Googling a bit you will see many configurations for the config.txt file. Like everyone says, make a backup of all the sdcard before. Sorry about the few help, i didn't find the sdcard that i used for RPI1. :-(

melao

No luck with the overclocking.
I removed the Pi from the controller and I tested witha Pi 2, with the Pi 2 the performance is fine.
Now I will leave it disassembled untill I get the Pi 1 to perform well. It is supposed to be enough to handle a NES/SNES/Megradrive and some Mame.

Here it is.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1Nz_qTyTtesTjRkV2o1UktVWjQ/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1Nz_qTyTtesRndxSC1mWGtRMjg
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1Nz_qTyTtesSko4XzlBQkctTHM

And a view from the top.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1Nz_qTyTtesREdOWl9yZ2YtbGM

BuZz

update retropie-setup, and launch the "configuration editor" and try lowering the "render resolution" for libretrocores

Make sure the snes emulator is pocketsnes.

What overclocking did you do - please provide details

What PSU are you using ?

melao

Hi Buzz, i will try your recommendations.

For the overclock, I used the HIGH settings on the raspi-config as below:

High   950MHz ARM, 250MHz core, 450MHz SDRAM, 6 overvolt

PSU, I used an Apple 2.1A charger and another 2.1A charger called fishbone, plus one Mi Powerbank that is able to pump 2.1A as well.

Fishbone (pretty cool! I recommend a lot!): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/805339168/fishbone-charging-station-tidy-up-and-charge-up

Mi Powerbank (10000mAh): http://www.mi.com/en/powerbank/

melao

Hi Buzz,

list itemlaunch the "configuration editor" and try lowering the "render resolution" for libretrocores

I launched ./retropie_setup.sh but I cannot find the render resolution anywhere

meleu

This post is deleted!

meleu

I was experiencing the same problem. It was solved when I changed the Overclock to Turbo (using raspi-config).

Meneer Jansen

@meleu said in Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+:

I was experiencing the same problem. It was solved when I changed the Overclock to Turbo (using raspi-config).

That's interesting. I use a Pi 1B without overclock and I've got no probs w/ the classic consoles (snes etc.) nor w/ Mame. I can even play Quake III Arena fine and Jedi Outcast runs quite well too, except when there are a lot of stormtroopers around. Only the newer consoles don't work.

meleu

@Meneer-Jansen Do you use your rasp1 offline? I'm thinking if this slowness is because of my wifi dongle...

I'm disappointed with the poor picodrive even with a Turbo overclocking...

Meneer Jansen

@meleu said in Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+:

@Meneer-Jansen Do you use your rasp1 offline? I'm thinking if this slowness is because of my wifi dongle...

I'm disappointed with the poor picodrive even with a Turbo overclocking...

Maybe, maybe not. I use my Pi w/ a wired internet connection. Wireless connection is very bad. My wireless dongle goes on an off the whole time. And I think it requires too much Amps. Power is always an issue w/ the Pi. Weird things happen if the Pi's under powered.

meleu

@Meneer-Jansen god dammit! You're right! I've tested picodrive with no wifi dongle and it runs smoothly!
It's unfortunate... I was trying to dedicate my raspi1 to be my RetroPie for earning RetroAchievements, and I have to be online for this...

Well... Thanks for show me what is the problem.

Meneer Jansen

@meleu said in Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+:

@Meneer-Jansen god dammit! You're right! I've tested picodrive with no wifi dongle and it runs smoothly!
It's unfortunate... I was trying to dedicate my raspi1 to be my RetroPie for earning RetroAchievements, and I have to be online for this...

Well... Thanks for show me what is the problem.

Glad to've been of help. :-) In the future you can chech if your Pi's in trouble (CPU wise) by logging into is via SSH (Windows: use PuTTY) and type the command:

top

If your Pi's running Emulationstation w/ NO emu active then the CPU load should be no more than 30% after a while.

meleu

@Meneer-Jansen said in Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+:

In the future you can chech if your Pi's in trouble (CPU wise) by logging into is via SSH (Windows: use PuTTY) and type the command:

top

If your Pi's running Emulationstation w/ NO emu active then the CPU load should be no more than 30% after a while.

"Unfortunately" the rasp must be connected to receive outside ssh connections. :D

Nevermind... I'll find another application for my old raspi1.

And thanks for the measure. This value (30%) is for a raspi1, right?

Meneer Jansen

@meleu said in Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+:

@Meneer-Jansen said in Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+:

In the future you can chech if your Pi's in trouble (CPU wise) by logging into is via SSH (Windows: use PuTTY) and type the command:

top

If your Pi's running Emulationstation w/ NO emu active then the CPU load should be no more than 30% after a while.

"Unfortunately" the rasp must be connected to receive outside ssh connections. :D

Nevermind... I'll find another application for my old raspi1.

And thanks for the measure. This value (30%) is for a raspi1, right?

When I try to measure CPU load I disconnect the WiFi USB dongle and the Ethernet cable. The max load (when Emulationstation is idle!) is indeed max. 30% on my Pi 1B.

[edit: corrected typo in the word disconnect]

Meneer Jansen

Oops. I meant disconnect the Wifi dongle in my post above.

meleu

@Meneer-Jansen said in Performance Problems - Raspberry PI 1 Model B+:

Oops. I meant disconnect the Wifi dongle in my post above.

OK. It makes sense now. :)
You can edit it to avoid misunderstading for future readers.
Thanks for your replies. My rasp1 is running very well.