FEX 2609, the latest monthly release of the open-source emulator, is now available. The update focuses on improving just-in-time (JIT) compilation performance and introduces a new on-disk cache for compiled code. This allows Linux x86_64 binaries to run on AArch64 systems, including enabling Windows games via Steam and Steam Play (Proton).
The new release includes optimizations to the PMULHRSW instruction family, which the developers say has increased Geekbench benchmark numbers and may result in up to a 2x performance uplift in some scenarios and games. Faster self-modifying-code detection, beneficial for Unity games, and reduced lock-contention within the JIT compiler for multi-threaded operation are also included. According to the release announcement, “There was an optimization for the PMULHRSW instruction family that increased some Geekbench benchmark numbers. Surely some game uses it somewhere to notice the 2x perf uplift.”
FEX 2609 also introduces an optional on-disk cache for the JIT compiler. Enabled via the `FEX_DISKCACHE=1` environment variable or JSON configuration, this feature stores compiled code on disk to reduce stuttering during subsequent game loads. Currently, the JIT cache lacks size limits or safeguards, but these are planned for future updates. The project also unveiled a revised logo.
More information about the FEX 2609 release can be found at FEX-Emu.com.
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