Input Lag Test: ShmupMame Vs Retroarch Run-Ahead

[Mark_MSX]

Hi everyone,

So recently I have been experimenting with the new Run-ahead feature in Retroarch to try and get as low of input lag as possible while emulating. The settings that I have had the most success with are as follows:

Finalburn alpha core (for save state support)
Run-ahead set to 2 frames
Second-instance turned on
Hard GPU sync on
Widowed Fullscreen off
Input poll set to early
V-sync off (though I have not noticed any screen tearing, which is cool)

I have now created a video comparing the input lag of Retroarch Run-ahead to the input lag of Shmupmame 4.2 and 2.2 (Jaimers suggested testing 2.2 as well).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw0hbW-05k0&t=0s

Thanks for watching!



For those who are at work, I'll go ahead and summarize the results (though I'd be really happy if you guys check out the video I put together when you get a chance).

Shmupmame 4.2 = bomb consistently activated 2 frames after the frame the button light turned on.
Shmupmame 2.2 = bomb consistently activated 2 frames after the frame the button light turned on.
Retroarch Run-ahead = bomb consistently activated 1 frame after the frame the button light turned on.

In summary, both versions of ShmupMame had 2 frames of input lag. Retroarch Run-ahead had only 1 (which is crazy).

[StarCreator]

Any summary of results for people who can't watch videos at work?

[Mark_MSX]

Any summary of results for people who can't watch videos at work?

Sure man! I'll go ahead and add them to the original post.

[WarpedByTheNHK]

This really is amazing. Thanks a lot for testing this. I don't really understand how to setup Mame in retroarch though. Is there a good guide for it anywherere?

I hope companies making console ports look into runahead and start using it for official releases as well.

[Mark_MSX]

I 'll make one man. It's something we need, I'll upload tutorial tonight.

[Mark_MSX]

This really is amazing. Thanks a lot for testing this. I don't really understand how to setup Mame in retroarch though. Is there a good guide for it anywherere?

I hope companies making console ports look into runahead and start using it for official releases as well.

As promised man, here is the guide:

https://youtu.be/lvIx_YsAI98

I'll also make a separate thread, for future reference for everyone else.