PCSX2 - PS2 emulator

PCSX2 is a PlayStation 2 (PS2) emulator for the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. With the most recent versions, many PS2 games are playable (although speed limitations have made play-to-completion tests for many games impractical), and several games are claimed to have full functionality. The main bottleneck in PS2 emulation is emulating the multi-core PS2 on PC architecture. Although each CPU can be emulated perfectly, getting the synchronization and timing between them to be accurate is very difficult (Sony itself has found it difficult in perfecting a software emulator of the PS2 on the PlayStation 3).



PCSX2, like its predecessor project PCSX, is based on a plugin architecture, separating several functions from the core emulator. These are the graphics, controls, CD/DVD drive, USB, sound and FireWire (i.Link) ports. Different plugins may produce different results in both compatibility and performance. Additionally, PCSX2 requires a copy of the PS2 BIOS to operate, which is not offered for download by the developer, due to the copyright concerns and legal issues associated with it.


Performance
Speed prior to 2006 was between 2 and 15 frames per second (frame/s) depending on the game, PC hardware, and plugin configuration―with the PS2 BIOS itself being one of the fastest pieces of software to emulate. Since the release of version 0.9 in April 2006, performance has greatly increased. Most 2D games and menus can reach 60-120 frame/s when specific plugins are used, and with the latest version, in-game 3D performance on a relatively new desktop computer can reach speeds greater than the native PS2 frame rate of 60 frame/s (NTSC) and 50 frame/s (PAL). In version 0.9, PCSX2 also began supporting dual core CPUs, resulting in a very significant increase in frame rate on systems with dual core processors. As of summer 2006, dual-core CPUs (Athlon 64 X2 and Core 2 Duo running at approximately 3.0Ghz) can run popular 3D games, such as Final Fantasy X, at well over 60 frame/s (when combined with an adequate video card such as the Radeon X1000 series or the GeForce 6+ series). The developers and beta testers claim that Final Fantasy X is fully playable to completion. The PCSX2 team continues to remain actively involved in the development of PCSX2.



I personally have tried this software and it is working. Just my graphic cards and my setting not perfect, so the games CG part is not smooth. But overall it is working and many games are playable.

PCSX2 Guide
PCSX2 Website