This is a list of the options Dolphin currently provides. I'll try to explain each option, what it does, what the risk(s) is of enabling/disabling it is/are and which advantage(s) it provides:
Dolphin Configuration - General
Enable Dual Core (speed up)
Only useful if you have more than one CPU core
What it does:
Uses multiple threads on two CPU cores instead of one for higher processing speed
Advantage:
Major speedup for all games.
Disadvantage:
Really small chance of incompatibilities with games or causing crashes.
Enable Idle Skipping (speedup)
What it does:
Advantage:
Major speedup for all games.
Disadvantage:
Really small chance of incompatibilities with games or causing crashes.
Enable Cheats
What it does:
Makes people hate you. At least if its used online. Which is not possible with Dolphin. YAY!
Advantage:
Do whatever you want
Disadvantage:
Spoiler, glitches, crashes, faggotree
Framelimit
What it does:
Limits the framerate to a certain number (frames per second). Can be used to set the max game speed to 100%(full speed) instead of going faster
Advantage:
May limit games to run at the intended speed
Disadvantage:
Only partially compatible with vsync, which sets - if enabled - the upper limit for max fps
HLE the IPL (recommended)
What it does:
Uses IPL(GameCube BIOS) if available. ipl.bin should be in \Sys\GC\<region>
Advantage:
Allows you to play the GameCube logo on game startup
Disadvantage:
-
Enable OpenCL
Requires a OpenCl 1.x compatible graphics card and driver
What it does:
Uses your graphics card to decode texture
Advantage:
Major speed up for some games (eg Metroid Prime 2)
Disadvantage:
May be inaccurate for some games and result in graphical glitches (eg Eternal Darkness)
CPU Emulator Engine: Interpreter (VERY slow)
What it does:
Translates game code into code that is supported by your CPU and then executes it
Advantage:
Highest game compatibility
Disadvantage:
Unplayably slow
CPU Emulator Engine: JIT Recompiler (recommended)
What it does:
Recompiles the game code and then executes it
Advantage:
Fast and reliable
Disadvantage:
W.I.P., buggy and incomplete
CPU Emulator Engine: JITIL experimental recompiler
What it does:
Recompiles(optimized) the game code and then executes it
Advantage:
Might be faster than JIT
Disadvantage:
W.I.P., pretty buggy and incomplete
Lock threads to cores
What it does:
Each thread can only use one specific CPU core
Advantage:
Might be slightly faster
Disadvantage:
or slightly slower depending on the game and CPU
DSPLLE on thread
Only relevant in connection with the Dolphin DSP-LLE (Audio) Plugin.
What it does:
Runs DSP-LLE on a dedicated thread (not recommended).
Advantage:
Slightly faster
Disadvantage:
Audio skipping and terrible synchronization
Dolphin Configuration - Display
Fullscreen Display Resolution
What it does:
Defines the display resolution in fullscreen mode on your primary monitor
Advantage:
-
Disadvantage:
-
Window Size
What it does:
Defines the display resolution in windowed mode
Advantage:
-
Disadvantage:
-
Start Renderer in Fullscreen
What it does:
Starts the game in fullscreen mode instead of windowed mode
Advantage:
Fills the whole monitor, no more window frame
Disadvantage:
Takes up the whole monitor
Hide Mouse Cursor
What it does:
Hides your mouse cursor when hovering over the game
Advantage:
No annoying mouse cursor in your game
Disadvantage:
You loose track of where your mouse cursor is
Render to Main Window
What it does:
Displays the game inside the main window of Dolphin
Advantage:
No secondary dolphin window on game start
Disadvantage:
No secondary dolphin window on game start
Confirm On Stop
What it does:
Asks again if you really want to stop the game when trying to Stop the game or closing Dolphin altogether
Advantage:
No accidental closing of Dolphin and your game
Disadvantage:
Annoying
Use Panic Handlers
What it does:
Displays game errors in a popup on game crash or not supported/erroneous instructions used by the game
Advantage:
Provides information on the bug or incompatibility of Dolphin for the developers
Disadvantage:
Annoying
Theme
What it does:
Choose one of four different Dolphin skins
Advantage:
Make it look different
Disadvantage:
You might can't decide
Game List Language
What it does:
Defines what language to display of the game in your game list. Does not set the language of the game
Advantage:
Display description and name of the game as you know and can understand it
Disadvantage:
Not all languages are available for each game(-> no text at all). Depends on the game itself
Hotkeys
What it does:
Define hotkeys (key combinations) for toggling between fullscreen and windowed mode, pausing and unpausing the game, stopping the game and (re)connecting wiimotes
Advantage:
Quick
Disadvantage:
-
Dolphin Configuration - Gamecube
System Language
What it does:
Sets the GameCube system language and thus also the game language if available
Advantage:
Playing in your language of choice
Disadvantage:
-
Slot A/B
What it does:
Choose your type of memory card. <Nothing> for no card inserted, Memory Card and its path for proper saving ingame or Dummy for placebo card(acts as a memory card, but doesn't save anything)
Advantage:
Keeping savegames...
Disadvantage:
...or not
SP1
What it does:
Sets what is connected to the (emulated) addon port of the NGC for devices like BBA(Broadband Adapter), AM-Baseboard(Triforce motherboard) or a Dummy device
Advantage:
Might widen the options for games using these kinds of hardware addons(like Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II)
Disadvantage:
Buggy and possibly unstable as BBA and AM-Baseboard are not fully emulated
Port 1/2/3/4
What it does:
Sets what is connected to the (emulated) controller ports of the NGC for devices like the gamecontroller or GBA(-Adapter)
Advantage:
Might widen the options for games using these kinds of hardware addons(like Legend Of Zelda - Four Swords Adventure)
Disadvantage:
Buggy and possibly unstable as the GBA-Adapter is not fully emulated
Dolphin Configuration - Wii
Sensor Bar Position
What it does:
Set the location of your sensor bar
Advantage:
Position of choice
Disadvantage:
-
Enable Screen Saver (burn-in reduction)
What it does:
Use Nintendo Wii's automated screen saver option
Advantage:
Minimize display wearing (aka burn-in reduction)
Disadvantage:
-
Enable Progressive Scan
What it does:
Progressive instead of interlaced video output if it were a real console
Advantage:
-
Disadvantage:
-
Use EuRGB60 Mode (PAL60)
What it does:
Uses the (european) 24bit RGB(red green blue, 8bit each) color-formatting at 60Hz, a video-encoding standard known as PAL60
Advantage:
Supports more games
Disadvantage:
-
Aspect Ratio
What it does:
Optimal Aspect Ratio for your kind of computer monitor (4:3 or 16:9)
Advantage:
No stretching or borders
Disadvantage:
There might still be small borders for displays that are not 16:9 or 4:3 (like 5:4 or 16:10)
System Language
What it does:
Sets the Wii system language and thus also the game language if available
Advantage:
Playing in your language of choice
Disadvantage:
-
Insert SD Card
What it does:
Emulate an inserted SD card
Advantage:
Use SD card features (eg Wii Menu, Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
Disadvantage:
-
Connect USB Keyboard
What it does:
Emulates a connected USB keyboard to type with your computer keyboard
Advantage:
Use your computer keyboard for typing in games that support this feature(eg Monster Hunter Tri)
Disadvantage:
-
Dolphin Configuration - Paths
ISO Directories
What it does:
Set the path to directories containing Wii and Gamecube games in the supported formats(.iso, .gcz, .wad) in order to use the Dolphin game list
Advantage:
Faster to start games and it has cute little game icons
Disadvantage:
Dolphin takes longer to start as it scans the folders and files you set
ISO Directories
What it does:
Scans all sub-directories located in the iso directories paths you set
Advantage:
Sorting games in a folder structure doesn't require you to add each single folder
Disadvantage:
Takes longer to scan if there are lots of subfolders and files
Default ISO
What it does:
Set your default game of choice
Advantage:
Easy and fast to start your favorite game
Disadvantage:
-
DVD Root
What it does:
Set the path to your (emulated) DVD drive to directly play games
Advantage:
No need to rip already burned game to your computer
Disadvantage:
Slower and does only work with burned copies or virtual drives and not original game discs
Apploader
What it does:
???
Advantage:
???
Disadvantage:
???
Dolphin Configuration - Plugins
Graphics
What it does:
Select your GFX plugin. Either Dolphin Direct3D9(Windows only), Dolphin Direct3D 11(Windows only), Dolphin OpenGL or Dolphin Software Renderer
Advantage:
Choose compatible plugin for optimal performance
Disadvantage:
-
Graphics: Dolphin Direct3D9
Requires Windows, a DirectX 9 compatible graphics card and latest DirectX 9 installed
What it does:
Uses DirectX 9 instruction set for rendering games
Advantage:
Faster than OpenGL plugin
Disadvantage:
Buggier than OpenGL plugin
Graphics: Dolphin Direct3D 11
Requires Windows Vista or 7, a Direct3D10 compatible graphics card and latest DirectX 11 installed
What it does:
Uses DirectX 11 instruction set for rendering games
Advantage:
Faster than OpenGL and Direct3D9 plugin
Disadvantage:
Buggier than OpenGL and Direct3D9 plugin, incomplete plugin
Graphics: Dolphin OpenGL
Requires a OpenGL 2.x compatible graphics card and latest graphics card driver installed for OpenGL 2.1 support
What it does:
Uses OpenGL 2.1 instruction set for rendering games
Advantage:
Highest Compatibility
Disadvantage:
Slower than Direct3D9 or 11
Graphics: Dolphin Software Renderer
What it does:
Renders games using only software
Advantage:
Doesn't require a certain graphics card
Disadvantage:
Very slow, low compatibility
DSP
What it does:
Select your audio plugin. Either Dolphin DSP-HLE Plugin or Dolphin DSP-LLE Plugin for DSP(Digital Signal Processing)
Advantage:
Choose compatible plugin for optimal performance
Disadvantage:
-
DSP: Dolphin DSP-HLE Plugin
What it does:
Uses HLE(High-Level Emulation) for all the different audio streams and formats
Advantage:
Faster
Disadvantage:
Lower audio compatibility
DSP: Dolphin DSP-LLE Plugin
Requires dsp_coef.bin and dsp_rom.bin in \Sys\GC
What it does:
Uses GameCube's original LLE(Low-Level Emulation) code for all the different audio streams and formats
Advantage:
Higher audio compatibility
Disadvantage:
Slower
Wiimote
What it does:
Select your Wii Remote plugin. Either Dolphin Wiimote or Dolphin Wiimote New Incomplete
Advantage:
Choose compatible plugin for optimal performance with Wii games
Disadvantage:
-
Wiimote: Dolphin Wiimote
What it does:
Use older Dolphin Wiimote plugin to simulate a wiimote or connect a real Wii Remote
Advantage:
It works
Disadvantage:
-
Wiimote: Dolphin Wiimote New Incomplete
What it does:
Use newer Dolphin Wiimote plugin to simulate a wiimote or connect a real Wii Remote
Advantage:
Easier to configure and possibility to use IR on analog stick for emulated Wii Remote mode
Disadvantage:
Might not work, incomplete
Graphics Plugins - Dolphin Direct3D 11
Graphics Plugins - Dolphin Direct3D 11 - Direct3D
Adapter
What it does:
Select which graphics card is to be used for games via Dolphin
Advantage:
Choose fastest graphics card of optimal performance
Disadvantage:
-
V-Sync
What it does:
Force V-Sync. Graphics card will wait until a full frame is displayed until it sends the next image to avoid any tearing
Advantage:
Remove tearing
Disadvantage:
FPS limited by the monitors frequency(often 60Hz -> 60fps). Performance hit
Widescreen Hack
What it does:
Widens the Field of View(FOV) of the game
Advantage:
Widescreen gaming even if the game doesn't support 16:9(mainly for 3D GameCube games)
Disadvantage:
Aspect ratio has to be forced to 16:9. Glitches might appear in the new visible areas. Menu and HUD will most likely be stretched and loose their original aspect ratio. Huge hit on performance
Aspect Ratio
What it does:
Choose your favorite Aspect Ratio for unstretched gameplay. Auto will only work
Advantage:
Fix erroneous aspect ratios for certain resolutions.
Disadvantage:
Auto will only work properly with Widescreen Hack disabled
Enable CPU -> EFB access
What it does:
Allow the CPU to access the EFB cache, which is partially in charge of the graphics
Advantage:
Certain EFB effects need this on to be rendered properly.
Disadvantage:
Performance loss. A few games have graphical issues with this enabled.
Enable Safe Texture Cache
What it does:
Protect graphic texture from being accidentally overwritten or changed
Advantage:
Avoids game crashes(Metroid Prime) or strangely colored textures(Eternal Darkness)
Disadvantage:
Small(Fast) to huge(Safest) performance hit. Enabling/Disabling this feature ingame will result in strangely colored textures until they reload.
This is a work in progress. More tomorrow. If you know what to write for those with ???, please pm me and ill edit and add it. Thanks
Dolphin Configuration - General
Enable Dual Core (speed up)
Only useful if you have more than one CPU core
What it does:
Uses multiple threads on two CPU cores instead of one for higher processing speed
Advantage:
Major speedup for all games.
Disadvantage:
Really small chance of incompatibilities with games or causing crashes.
Enable Idle Skipping (speedup)
What it does:
Advantage:
Major speedup for all games.
Disadvantage:
Really small chance of incompatibilities with games or causing crashes.
Enable Cheats
What it does:
Makes people hate you. At least if its used online. Which is not possible with Dolphin. YAY!
Advantage:
Do whatever you want
Disadvantage:
Spoiler, glitches, crashes, faggotree
Framelimit
What it does:
Limits the framerate to a certain number (frames per second). Can be used to set the max game speed to 100%(full speed) instead of going faster
Advantage:
May limit games to run at the intended speed
Disadvantage:
Only partially compatible with vsync, which sets - if enabled - the upper limit for max fps
HLE the IPL (recommended)
What it does:
Uses IPL(GameCube BIOS) if available. ipl.bin should be in \Sys\GC\<region>
Advantage:
Allows you to play the GameCube logo on game startup
Disadvantage:
-
Enable OpenCL
Requires a OpenCl 1.x compatible graphics card and driver
What it does:
Uses your graphics card to decode texture
Advantage:
Major speed up for some games (eg Metroid Prime 2)
Disadvantage:
May be inaccurate for some games and result in graphical glitches (eg Eternal Darkness)
CPU Emulator Engine: Interpreter (VERY slow)
What it does:
Translates game code into code that is supported by your CPU and then executes it
Advantage:
Highest game compatibility
Disadvantage:
Unplayably slow
CPU Emulator Engine: JIT Recompiler (recommended)
What it does:
Recompiles the game code and then executes it
Advantage:
Fast and reliable
Disadvantage:
W.I.P., buggy and incomplete
CPU Emulator Engine: JITIL experimental recompiler
What it does:
Recompiles(optimized) the game code and then executes it
Advantage:
Might be faster than JIT
Disadvantage:
W.I.P., pretty buggy and incomplete
Lock threads to cores
What it does:
Each thread can only use one specific CPU core
Advantage:
Might be slightly faster
Disadvantage:
or slightly slower depending on the game and CPU
DSPLLE on thread
Only relevant in connection with the Dolphin DSP-LLE (Audio) Plugin.
What it does:
Runs DSP-LLE on a dedicated thread (not recommended).
Advantage:
Slightly faster
Disadvantage:
Audio skipping and terrible synchronization
Dolphin Configuration - Display
Fullscreen Display Resolution
What it does:
Defines the display resolution in fullscreen mode on your primary monitor
Advantage:
-
Disadvantage:
-
Window Size
What it does:
Defines the display resolution in windowed mode
Advantage:
-
Disadvantage:
-
Start Renderer in Fullscreen
What it does:
Starts the game in fullscreen mode instead of windowed mode
Advantage:
Fills the whole monitor, no more window frame
Disadvantage:
Takes up the whole monitor
Hide Mouse Cursor
What it does:
Hides your mouse cursor when hovering over the game
Advantage:
No annoying mouse cursor in your game
Disadvantage:
You loose track of where your mouse cursor is
Render to Main Window
What it does:
Displays the game inside the main window of Dolphin
Advantage:
No secondary dolphin window on game start
Disadvantage:
No secondary dolphin window on game start
Confirm On Stop
What it does:
Asks again if you really want to stop the game when trying to Stop the game or closing Dolphin altogether
Advantage:
No accidental closing of Dolphin and your game
Disadvantage:
Annoying
Use Panic Handlers
What it does:
Displays game errors in a popup on game crash or not supported/erroneous instructions used by the game
Advantage:
Provides information on the bug or incompatibility of Dolphin for the developers
Disadvantage:
Annoying
Theme
What it does:
Choose one of four different Dolphin skins
Advantage:
Make it look different
Disadvantage:
You might can't decide
Game List Language
What it does:
Defines what language to display of the game in your game list. Does not set the language of the game
Advantage:
Display description and name of the game as you know and can understand it
Disadvantage:
Not all languages are available for each game(-> no text at all). Depends on the game itself
Hotkeys
What it does:
Define hotkeys (key combinations) for toggling between fullscreen and windowed mode, pausing and unpausing the game, stopping the game and (re)connecting wiimotes
Advantage:
Quick
Disadvantage:
-
Dolphin Configuration - Gamecube
System Language
What it does:
Sets the GameCube system language and thus also the game language if available
Advantage:
Playing in your language of choice
Disadvantage:
-
Slot A/B
What it does:
Choose your type of memory card. <Nothing> for no card inserted, Memory Card and its path for proper saving ingame or Dummy for placebo card(acts as a memory card, but doesn't save anything)
Advantage:
Keeping savegames...
Disadvantage:
...or not
SP1
What it does:
Sets what is connected to the (emulated) addon port of the NGC for devices like BBA(Broadband Adapter), AM-Baseboard(Triforce motherboard) or a Dummy device
Advantage:
Might widen the options for games using these kinds of hardware addons(like Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II)
Disadvantage:
Buggy and possibly unstable as BBA and AM-Baseboard are not fully emulated
Port 1/2/3/4
What it does:
Sets what is connected to the (emulated) controller ports of the NGC for devices like the gamecontroller or GBA(-Adapter)
Advantage:
Might widen the options for games using these kinds of hardware addons(like Legend Of Zelda - Four Swords Adventure)
Disadvantage:
Buggy and possibly unstable as the GBA-Adapter is not fully emulated
Dolphin Configuration - Wii
Sensor Bar Position
What it does:
Set the location of your sensor bar
Advantage:
Position of choice
Disadvantage:
-
Enable Screen Saver (burn-in reduction)
What it does:
Use Nintendo Wii's automated screen saver option
Advantage:
Minimize display wearing (aka burn-in reduction)
Disadvantage:
-
Enable Progressive Scan
What it does:
Progressive instead of interlaced video output if it were a real console
Advantage:
-
Disadvantage:
-
Use EuRGB60 Mode (PAL60)
What it does:
Uses the (european) 24bit RGB(red green blue, 8bit each) color-formatting at 60Hz, a video-encoding standard known as PAL60
Advantage:
Supports more games
Disadvantage:
-
Aspect Ratio
What it does:
Optimal Aspect Ratio for your kind of computer monitor (4:3 or 16:9)
Advantage:
No stretching or borders
Disadvantage:
There might still be small borders for displays that are not 16:9 or 4:3 (like 5:4 or 16:10)
System Language
What it does:
Sets the Wii system language and thus also the game language if available
Advantage:
Playing in your language of choice
Disadvantage:
-
Insert SD Card
What it does:
Emulate an inserted SD card
Advantage:
Use SD card features (eg Wii Menu, Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
Disadvantage:
-
Connect USB Keyboard
What it does:
Emulates a connected USB keyboard to type with your computer keyboard
Advantage:
Use your computer keyboard for typing in games that support this feature(eg Monster Hunter Tri)
Disadvantage:
-
Dolphin Configuration - Paths
ISO Directories
What it does:
Set the path to directories containing Wii and Gamecube games in the supported formats(.iso, .gcz, .wad) in order to use the Dolphin game list
Advantage:
Faster to start games and it has cute little game icons
Disadvantage:
Dolphin takes longer to start as it scans the folders and files you set
ISO Directories
What it does:
Scans all sub-directories located in the iso directories paths you set
Advantage:
Sorting games in a folder structure doesn't require you to add each single folder
Disadvantage:
Takes longer to scan if there are lots of subfolders and files
Default ISO
What it does:
Set your default game of choice
Advantage:
Easy and fast to start your favorite game
Disadvantage:
-
DVD Root
What it does:
Set the path to your (emulated) DVD drive to directly play games
Advantage:
No need to rip already burned game to your computer
Disadvantage:
Slower and does only work with burned copies or virtual drives and not original game discs
Apploader
What it does:
???
Advantage:
???
Disadvantage:
???
Dolphin Configuration - Plugins
Graphics
What it does:
Select your GFX plugin. Either Dolphin Direct3D9(Windows only), Dolphin Direct3D 11(Windows only), Dolphin OpenGL or Dolphin Software Renderer
Advantage:
Choose compatible plugin for optimal performance
Disadvantage:
-
Graphics: Dolphin Direct3D9
Requires Windows, a DirectX 9 compatible graphics card and latest DirectX 9 installed
What it does:
Uses DirectX 9 instruction set for rendering games
Advantage:
Faster than OpenGL plugin
Disadvantage:
Buggier than OpenGL plugin
Graphics: Dolphin Direct3D 11
Requires Windows Vista or 7, a Direct3D10 compatible graphics card and latest DirectX 11 installed
What it does:
Uses DirectX 11 instruction set for rendering games
Advantage:
Faster than OpenGL and Direct3D9 plugin
Disadvantage:
Buggier than OpenGL and Direct3D9 plugin, incomplete plugin
Graphics: Dolphin OpenGL
Requires a OpenGL 2.x compatible graphics card and latest graphics card driver installed for OpenGL 2.1 support
What it does:
Uses OpenGL 2.1 instruction set for rendering games
Advantage:
Highest Compatibility
Disadvantage:
Slower than Direct3D9 or 11
Graphics: Dolphin Software Renderer
What it does:
Renders games using only software
Advantage:
Doesn't require a certain graphics card
Disadvantage:
Very slow, low compatibility
DSP
What it does:
Select your audio plugin. Either Dolphin DSP-HLE Plugin or Dolphin DSP-LLE Plugin for DSP(Digital Signal Processing)
Advantage:
Choose compatible plugin for optimal performance
Disadvantage:
-
DSP: Dolphin DSP-HLE Plugin
What it does:
Uses HLE(High-Level Emulation) for all the different audio streams and formats
Advantage:
Faster
Disadvantage:
Lower audio compatibility
DSP: Dolphin DSP-LLE Plugin
Requires dsp_coef.bin and dsp_rom.bin in \Sys\GC
What it does:
Uses GameCube's original LLE(Low-Level Emulation) code for all the different audio streams and formats
Advantage:
Higher audio compatibility
Disadvantage:
Slower
Wiimote
What it does:
Select your Wii Remote plugin. Either Dolphin Wiimote or Dolphin Wiimote New Incomplete
Advantage:
Choose compatible plugin for optimal performance with Wii games
Disadvantage:
-
Wiimote: Dolphin Wiimote
What it does:
Use older Dolphin Wiimote plugin to simulate a wiimote or connect a real Wii Remote
Advantage:
It works
Disadvantage:
-
Wiimote: Dolphin Wiimote New Incomplete
What it does:
Use newer Dolphin Wiimote plugin to simulate a wiimote or connect a real Wii Remote
Advantage:
Easier to configure and possibility to use IR on analog stick for emulated Wii Remote mode
Disadvantage:
Might not work, incomplete
Graphics Plugins - Dolphin Direct3D 11
Graphics Plugins - Dolphin Direct3D 11 - Direct3D
Adapter
What it does:
Select which graphics card is to be used for games via Dolphin
Advantage:
Choose fastest graphics card of optimal performance
Disadvantage:
-
V-Sync
What it does:
Force V-Sync. Graphics card will wait until a full frame is displayed until it sends the next image to avoid any tearing
Advantage:
Remove tearing
Disadvantage:
FPS limited by the monitors frequency(often 60Hz -> 60fps). Performance hit
Widescreen Hack
What it does:
Widens the Field of View(FOV) of the game
Advantage:
Widescreen gaming even if the game doesn't support 16:9(mainly for 3D GameCube games)
Disadvantage:
Aspect ratio has to be forced to 16:9. Glitches might appear in the new visible areas. Menu and HUD will most likely be stretched and loose their original aspect ratio. Huge hit on performance
Aspect Ratio
What it does:
Choose your favorite Aspect Ratio for unstretched gameplay. Auto will only work
Advantage:
Fix erroneous aspect ratios for certain resolutions.
Disadvantage:
Auto will only work properly with Widescreen Hack disabled
Enable CPU -> EFB access
What it does:
Allow the CPU to access the EFB cache, which is partially in charge of the graphics
Advantage:
Certain EFB effects need this on to be rendered properly.
Disadvantage:
Performance loss. A few games have graphical issues with this enabled.
Enable Safe Texture Cache
What it does:
Protect graphic texture from being accidentally overwritten or changed
Advantage:
Avoids game crashes(Metroid Prime) or strangely colored textures(Eternal Darkness)
Disadvantage:
Small(Fast) to huge(Safest) performance hit. Enabling/Disabling this feature ingame will result in strangely colored textures until they reload.
This is a work in progress. More tomorrow. If you know what to write for those with ???, please pm me and ill edit and add it. Thanks