3.50 allows 333MHz to games.

From Pspupdates.qj.net

More power to portable gaming. We've just picked up word via an insider that among the updates that PSP firmware 3.50 carries, one important feature that's apparently been unlisted is that this latest fw release will finally allow commercial games to run at the PSP's full 333mhz CPU speed.

Prior to this, all UMD games for the PSP have been restricted to just 266 MHz - roughly 80% of the portable console's full power.

And while homebrew applications (that means you, intrepid coders!) have already been unlocking this feature for some time now, this move will provide new-found benefits for official UMD games: accelerated frame rates and game load timesare definitely at the top of our wish list, although we'll just have to wait and see if this is indeed the case. Aside from the hopeful speed boost, we're just hoping Sony's also got something planned for the increased power usage expected from turning the proverbial limiter off on the PSP - do we see a new battery in the works?

That aside, the company has yet to give an official statement on this new feature, and whether this unlocked CPU speed is dedicated to post-3.50 UMD games, or will affect past titles as well. Stay tuned for updates on this hot news.

Did they ever state why this was capped in the first place? Was it to enhance battery life?...curious...master_49

yea it probably was. the standerd batt only usually last about 5 hrs playing games anyway

Did they ever state why this was capped in the first place? Was it to enhance battery life?...curious...master_49

As far as I can remember they never really came out and said it was due to battery life concerns, but that's the general suspicion and I would bet it is the truth.

I look forward to it...hopefully any games that suffer choppy framerates can use the extra MHz to smooth those out.master_49

It's unlikely really. I imagine that the unlock comes at a price, ie needs to be coded into the games, rather then being suddenly unleashed. If it were people woul dsuddenly notice their battery life dying a lot quicker than normal.

Ade.

if this is true...it is about dam time sony!....

I look forward to it...hopefully any games that suffer choppy framerates can use the extra MHz to smooth those out.master_49

Overclocking the CPU most definitely helps those games with choppy framerates. Untold legends is a good example. Run it at 300 MHz and it runs like a dream, no more FPS drops at all. Be prepared to take a nasty hit in battery life, though, specially if you run at 333 MHz. And the PSP at 333 MHz gets hot in your hands lol. No fan on that thing ;)

yea its cause of battery life. I've been saying for ages if sony would just release a new battery with double the life they could up the processor to it's max and unlock the 4th brightness level. Brighter, better battery life, faster load times and better graphics. You'd expect to need a new handheld for upgrades like that but no just a battery.tazzydnc

pspupdates has reported this at least once before for a previous firmware version, so I'd take it with a grain of salt.xaos

I think your message falls mostly on dead ears. It's sad how gullible people on these forums are.

No one believed when I said they shouldn't be surprised if Sony never releases a firmware update to allow you to directly download ps1 games to your psp. Half a year later, you still need a PS3.

[QUOTE="tazzydnc"]yea its cause of battery life. I've been saying for ages if sony would just release a new battery with double the life they could up the processor to it's max and unlock the 4th brightness level. Brighter, better battery life, faster load times and better graphics. You'd expect to need a new handheld for upgrades like that but no just a battery.LexLas

i thought the battery life was short at it is :(kingrich06

yap..tgis is the only downside.

yea its cause of battery life. I've been saying for ages if sony would just release a new battery with double the life they could up the processor to it's max and unlock the 4th brightness level. Brighter, better battery life, faster load times and better graphics. You'd expect to need a new handheld for upgrades like that but no just a battery.tazzydnc

The holy grail of PSP :)

Ade.

I think that this may have something to do with putting eye toy like games on the psp using the camera (which I think is a complete joke without a flash, if it has a flash correct me)

If this reduces load times and allows for better graphics, I'm happy, as long as they get a new battery out.

Do you think that the extra 20% is enough to play Memory Stick music in a game?

I think that this may have something to do with putting eye toy like games on the psp using the camera (which I think is a complete joke without a flash, if it has a flash correct me)

If this reduces load times and allows for better graphics, I'm happy, as long as they get a new battery out.

Do you think that the extra 20% is enough to play Memory Stick music in a game?

SwedFish

Are you referring to the camera, music, or both?

I wasn't thinking about RAM, but since I use my PSP as my MP3 player, in game music support would be great. But if ingame music were turned off, how much more RAM would it really cost?

Are you referring to the camera, music, or both?

I wasn't thinking about RAM, but since I use my PSP as my MP3 player, in game music support would be great. But if ingame music were turned off, how much more RAM would it really cost?

SwedFish

Well, then game makers really need to start incorporating this more. GTA and NFS are the only ones to do this to date, right?SwedFish

[QUOTE="master_49"]I look forward to it...hopefully any games that suffer choppy framerates can use the extra MHz to smooth those out.Jorlen

Overclocking the CPU most definitely helps those games with choppy framerates. Untold legends is a good example. Run it at 300 MHz and it runs like a dream, no more FPS drops at all. Be prepared to take a nasty hit in battery life, though, specially if you run at 333 MHz. And the PSP at 333 MHz gets hot in your hands lol. No fan on that thing ;)

also the GTA lag in gone when driving if umake it 333mhz.

That is true... I notice the when I was testing my games.... I saw the difference when I was playing GTA LCSTrogeton