To set up ePSXe 1.9.0 in 2021, you must manually acquire the BIOS and essential plugins, as they are not bundled with the core emulator due to copyright and licensing. 1. Essential BIOS Files The BIOS is the system software required to boot PlayStation 1 games. You must place these in the /bios folder of your ePSXe directory. SCPH1001.bin : The most common and recommended BIOS for North American (NTSC-U) games. SCPH7502.bin : The standard BIOS for European (PAL) games. 2. Recommended Plugins for 2021 Place these .dll files into the /plugins folder.
Setting up ePSXe 1.9.0 remains a classic choice for retro gaming, though as of 2021, newer versions like 2.0.5 or modern alternatives like DuckStation have largely superseded it in terms of accuracy and features. If you are sticking with version 1.9.0 for its specific compatibility or "low-spec" friendly performance, here is how to configure it for the best results. 1. Essential BIOS Files A BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the "soul" of the original PlayStation hardware and is required for full compatibility. While ePSXe 1.9.25 and later introduced a High-Level Emulation (HLE) BIOS, an official BIOS file is still recommended for the most stable experience. Recommended File : SCPH1001.bin (North American) is widely considered the most stable. Installation : Place your BIOS file into the /bios folder located within your ePSXe directory. Configuration : Open ePSXe , go to Config > Bios , click Select , and navigate to your SCPH1001.bin file. 2. Best-in-Class Plugins
ePSXe 1.9.0 — Full BIOS & Plugin Guide (2021) — Draft Post Note: Distribute BIOS files only if you own the original PlayStation console and games; sharing copyrighted BIOS is illegal. This guide assumes you legally own the required files. Overview ePSXe 1.9.0 is a popular PlayStation (PS1) emulator for Windows that uses external plugins for video, audio, input, and CD-ROM functionality and requires the PlayStation BIOS to run games. This post explains what you need, how to set it up, and common troubleshooting tips.
What you need
ePSXe 1.9.0 executable for Windows (official download). A PlayStation BIOS file (e.g., SCPH-1001.bin) — must match your region. Video plugin (e.g., Pete’s OpenGL2 GPU, or newer GPU plugins compatible with 1.9.0). Sound plugin (e.g., ePSXe SPU core or a third‑party SPU plugin). CD-ROM plugin if using original discs (optional). Input plugin or built-in controller mapping. Games in BIN/CUE or ISO format (or virtual drive).
Directory layout (recommended)
ePSXe.exe bios\ (place BIOS files here) epsxe 19 0 full bios and plugin 2021
SCPH1001.bin
plugins\ (store plugin DLLs here)
peops_gpu.dll peops_cdr.dll spu_peter.dll To set up ePSXe 1
memorycards\ (save files) cfg\ (configuration backups) isos\ (game images)
Installing & configuring ePSXe 1.9.0