and I've finally come to the conclusion that my computer lacks the specs to get RetroArch's PS2 core to function.
:bawllin-sad:
Update:
Accepted the suggestions and managed to get the solo PSX2 emulator. Got it to fire up a PS2 iso. Now I get to play "guess the checkbox" to get the settings all tweaked so that it runs smoother. Boy howdy! The Armored Core games got all sorts of fiddly things in 'em since the PS1 days. :freeman-true:
I also recommend you download the current nightly 1.7 build of PCSX2 and give it a go.
I could run most games fine on a CPU from 2012 and a 5 year old mid-range GPU with some occasional slowdown when there were a lot of effects on screen.
Depending on what I'm reading my processor either MUST support SSE AND AVX2 (from the RetroArch pages). My CPU only supports SSE up to 4A (don't ask me what that means, I think it has to do with doing fancy math stuff) and AVX2 not at all.
Though reading through the PCSX2 guide it notes that AVX2 support is recommended but not required. So maybe my toaster running Windows 7 made from spare parts will have a chance of giving me another hit of my Armored Core habit.