SNES Performance Tweaks

[Flavor]

Are you using a shader by any chance?

Not using any shaders. I know they can use up a lot of resources. I'm in the process of uploading my SD image so I'll send you that when it's done. 

Another thing to note. I've used a Lakka 2.0 image(http://lakka.tv) and everything runs perfectly. Their 2.0 image currently uses retroarch 1.5 and Retropie uses 1.6. I tried switching the binaries but I get errors in retropie when I do this. Not sure what can cause the stuttering in Retropie.

That is a very interesting observation.  In this research, I keep finding anecdotal evidence that things got slower in one of the more recent RetroPie releases, so I wonder if that's related to the update to v1.6.

[lion2]

That is a very interesting observation.  In this research, I keep finding anecdotal evidence that things got slower in one of the more recent RetroPie releases, so I wonder if that's related to the update to v1.6.

I've been trying to find older versions of retropie to test out, but they do not keep older versions on their site.

[Flavor]

Where we keep the images for the Freeplay Zero, there should be a fairly old one for the Game Pie Advance (which should work fine). I think there's also one that maybe has RetroPie v4.2.

[lion2]

Where we keep the images for the Freeplay Zero, there should be a fairly old one for the Game Pie Advance (which should work fine).  I think there's also one that maybe has RetroPie v4.2.

Awesome! I'll try those as soon as I get home!

[Flavor]

I ran some tests using an image from lion2, but I couldn't notice any stuttering. These were mostly done with Super Mario World, but I tried the other games we mentioned, too.

RPi: Zero W v1.1
INPUT: FC30
PC Monitor: 1680x1050 (no noticeable problems)
TV: 1360x768 (no noticeable problems)
TV: 1920x1080 (no noticeable problems)

After those tests, I connected to WiFi and tried the 1680x1050 monitor again and still no noticeable problems.

Just as I was writing this, I still had SMW intro running (for like 15min already) and I heard an audible stutter just real quick. If that was your issue, I think you wouldn't even notice/care.

===

The reason that I wanted to try multiple monitors was to see if different resolutions could cause the problem.

I just went back and watched your video, and I have definitely not noticed anything like that with the image you sent. Also, your video reminded me that you were experiencing these issues with no peripherals connected.

I feel like this points to SD or Pi as being somehow different. Where have your purchased your Pi Zeros from? Do you feel like it was a reputable source?

I'd ask the same for the SD card. I know that the SD shouldn't affect game play speed, but if the OS is trying to read/write the SD card and it's ultra slow, I think it could (in theory) cause stuttering.

When you got your second Pi Zero, did you do any soldering on it, or did you just plug it into the TV and try it there?

I'd really like to get this solved. Would you want to trade a Pi and/or SD card with me if we can't figure anything else out?

Edit: I just tried it with a different (smaller) SD card, and I don't notice an obvious difference. I thought I had some cheapo SD around here, but I haven't found it.

[lion2]

The stuttering I get happens every 3 or 4 seconds. I also tried Retropie 4.2 and 3.7 and still get the same stuttering. Below is a video of a direct capture from the Pi Zero showing the stuttering in Donkey Kong, Sonic and Mario World. I also included a video that shows it running a lot smoother on Lakka. Nes and SMS games work wonderfully so I'll just play those on the Freeplay Zero until I can find a solution.


https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ats-PEwhX9ZLg8IayYcLnzB7hAx5sQ

[Flavor]

I worked with lion2 a bit to track down his issue. The last I heard, I think that he figured out that the stuttering would disappear when he disconnects from his WiFi network and reappear when he connects to WiFi. Hopefully he will come back to this thread and explain his findings.

[lion2]

Yes, it was definitely the Wifi. Anytime I connect to my wifi network the stuttering was happening. Disconnecting from my wifi network it would all go away. Tried it multiple times to confirm. I didn't disable Wifi, I just disconnected from my wifi network.

I will try at a later time to connect to another wifi network outside were I live. Where I live there are 100+ wifi networks so maybe the congestion is causing the Pi to use more resources that it should over wifi.

[kon]

Yes, it was definitely the Wifi. Anytime I connect to my wifi network the stuttering was happening. Disconnecting from my wifi network it would all go away. Tried it multiple times to confirm. I didn't disable Wifi, I just disconnected from my wifi network.

I will try at a later time to connect to another wifi network outside were I live. Where I live there are 100+ wifi networks so maybe the congestion is causing the Pi to use more resources that it should over wifi.

Thanks for that thread! I also had the trouble of some occasional stutters... I will try with the WiFi turned off.

One more question: is there a simple way to disable wifi and turn it back on w/o having to connect a USB keyboard? I saw that it can be turned off/on in the Retropie rom. But I am not sure I wanna try it out because I rely on SSH

[Flavor]

One more question: is there a simple way to disable wifi and turn it back on w/o having to connect a USB keyboard? I saw that it can be turned off/on in the Retropie rom. But I am not sure I wanna try it out because I rely on SSH

The best solution I know is to use rfkill.

The basic idea is to install it with
sudo apt-get install rfkill

And use these commands to "kill" or unkill WiFi. You can also kill Bluetooth, I think, and you could add a menu item to do these if you wanted.
sudo rfkill block wifi
sudo rfkill unblock wifi

There's a bit more info at http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3239

I haven't heard from anyone that has set these up as a menu item yet, but I'd be very interested to know how that works out.