Need help with PS2 emulation

Hey guys so about 3 days Ago i recently got into emulation. Loving it so far, being able to relive my best childhood memories and all. But anyway, I noticed that some games run slowly during most (or all parts) of gameplay.

I looked at the requirements for PS2 emulation, but like I said I'm hopelessly ignorant of machines, so I've no idea where I stand but I know that some games I cannot run. Another thing I seen was that people recommended messing around with certain settings in the menu which again, I'm ignorant of. So any extra info about if my machine is good enough to emulate PS2 games, and what I need to do in the config and on my computer (closing certain programs, changing certain settings, etc.) to make games run as smoothly as possible.

I look around on the forums and learn that I need a very high end PC to run games. I figured I'm about low to middle-end, with a $500 Toshiba laptop that actually handled way more than I expected it to. With the help of steam I managed to find my system specs which I'm posting here.

Computer Information:
Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
Model: Satellite E45-B
Form Factor: Laptop
No Touch Input Detected

Processor Information:
CPU Vendor: GenuineIntel
CPU Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz
CPU Family: 0x6
CPU Model: 0x3d
CPU Stepping: 0x4
CPU Type: 0x0
Speed: 2195 Mhz
4 logical processors
2 physical processors
HyperThreading: Supported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Supported
SSSE3: Supported
SSE4a: Unsupported
SSE41: Supported
SSE42: Supported
AES: Supported
AVX: Supported
CMPXCHG16B: Supported
LAHF/SAHF: Supported
PrefetchW: Supported

Operating System Version:
Windows 10 (64 bit)
NTFS: Supported
Crypto Provider Codes: Supported 311 0x0 0x0 0x0

Video Card:
Driver: Intel(R) HD Graphics 5500
DirectX Driver Name: igdumdim32.dll
Driver Version: 20.19.15.4549
DirectX Driver Version: 20.19.15.4549
Driver Date: 11 10 2016
OpenGL Version: 4.4
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
DirectX Card: Intel(R) HD Graphics 5500
VendorID: 0x8086
DeviceID: 0x1616
Revision: 0x9
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Desktop Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Primary Display Size: 12.17" x 6.85" (13.94" diag)
30.9cm x 17.4cm (35.4cm diag)
Primary Bus Type Not Detected
Primary VRAM: 1024 MB
Supported MSAA Modes: 2x 4x 8x

Sound card:
Audio device: Speakers (High Definition Audio

Memory:
RAM: 6058 Mb

Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Media Type: Undetermined
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 702087 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 40167 Mb
OS Install Date: Dec 31 1969
Game Controller: None detected
VR Headset: None detected



Thank you for your patience and generosity!


Additional info: Games like DragonBallz: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 run flawlessly, but my worst game so far has been Harry potter and the order of the phoenix, in which the game was nigh unplayable whenever I went outside. IDK if this helps or not...

in 3d settings (3d games) change render settings (good plugins) in 2d games just update emulator
anyway its a great machine you dont need change pc settings but in emulators
and update emulator to latest best os for emulation is windows 7

Thanks for the info, but I'm going to need a little extra help...


Where should I go to change my render settings? Also, where should I go to update the emulator?

Thanks!

To change render settings: click on config => video => plugin settings. A new window will pop up. First option will be your adapter - which will show intel hd 5500. Nothing to bother with there, right below is the renderer (sometimes called the backend) this is where you can switch from opengl to direct3d9 or 11 either software or hardware for each option. Software puts the load on the cpu while hardware on the gpu. I would just leave it on opengl hardware as it seems to work well (for me anyway) with a lot of games. If you do switch to software look down a bit to see software mode settings - rendering threads and set that to 2 to make use of both cores. Your cpu is decent so maybe it's worth a shot trying software mode.

On that same window you will see internal resolution - leave at native. If a game runs perfectly fine try bumping it 2x and see if it still runs well. If so excellent, your eyes will thankyou.

Config => video => coregs settings a new window will open. You'll see a list on the left side. Click on speedhacks.
You can increase the 2 sliders at the top (make sure enable speedhacks is checked above them) and move them to the right a step these generally increase framerate but can cause graphic glitches when moved all the way depnding on the game.
Below that you will see Other hacks. Make sure all are check marked except Enable fast cdvd. The mtvu hack is an all around great thing to be check marked - just the odd game doesn't like it though.

Checking google for settings based on a specific game is worth a shot too.

For the latest emulator just go to the pcsx2 website.

In the end though it's a laptop. Running ps2 games is generally not recommended. Be careful not to overheat.

when I open up the renderer I see 3 or 4 different hardware and software options: OpenGL (Hardware) Direct3d11 (Hardware) Direct3d9(hardware) and then the same 3 options with software. Which do you think is best for Intel drivers, best for hardware and software because I want to try both. Thanks again!