@FatTrucker,
You didnt mention about the latest plugins which improvement the speed and better graphics.
@koji-lik,
You forgot something... update to 9.5 and update latest plugins. This forum is not right for you. Go to
http://www.pcsx2.net/ and their forum is best for you because they have same questions as you and resolve the problem better and best of all.. the emulator developer of pcsx2 is there that can answer your question 100%.
Here will not take you anywhere.. it will keep circle circle circle until you solve it. Its waste time.. go there and you will get answer faster. That's how I learn alot from them (Yes i mean the developer who make pcsx2).