---
title: Kiln Lab — FPS, Settings, Reference Rig, Grades | Kiln
description: The Kiln lab: a PlayStation 5 emulator for Windows PC graded on one reference rig. Boost fps, best settings, the reference rig spec, how we grade, and the missing runtime fix. Own the games you already have. Not affiliated with Sony.
canonical: https://consolepc.net/lab
updated: 2026-10-13
---

# The lab.

One rig, blunt grades, no magic settings. Everything the lab knows about frames, settings, and statuses.

## Facts (2026-10-13)

- **Rigs:** One — the reference rig
- **Target:** 1080p 60 fps on Stable titles
- **Grades:** Stable · Beta · Test
- **Certifications:** Zero — lab results only

## What the lab is

Kiln is a PlayStation 5 emulator for Windows PC, and the lab is how we stay honest: every grade comes from [one reference rig](/lab/reference-rig) running the Windows build.

No averaged hardware, no cherry-picked drivers, no sponsored numbers. One machine, one target — 1080p 60 fps — and a status per title.

The grading rules are public: [how we grade](/lab/how-we-grade). Read them before arguing with a Beta.

## Fix your frames

- [Boost fps](/lab/boost-fps) — the checklist: discrete GPU, drivers, shaders, NVMe, no overlays.

- [Best settings](/lab/best-settings-ps5-emulator) — the baseline presets the lab actually uses.

- [Missing runtime](/lab/missing-runtime) — vcruntime errors fixed with the official Microsoft package.

## Know your hardware

The [reference rig](/lab/reference-rig) is the machine behind every grade. Compare yours honestly.

Below lab class? Check the [minimum rig](/rig/minimum-rig) for the floor and [GPU and CPU](/rig/gpu-cpu) for what actually matters.

## FAQ

### Why one rig instead of many?

One rig means comparable grades. Averaging ten PCs would make every number meaningless.

### My PC beats the reference rig. Will I get more fps?

Sometimes, not always. Emulator paths bottleneck differently than native games — CPU-bound scenes may not scale with a bigger GPU.

### Where do I start if games stutter?

Boost fps first, then best settings. Nine times out of ten it is the wrong GPU, an old driver, or first-launch shaders.

## Related

- [Boost fps.](https://consolepc.net/lab/boost-fps)
- [Best settings.](https://consolepc.net/lab/best-settings-ps5-emulator)
- [Reference rig.](https://consolepc.net/lab/reference-rig)
- [How we grade.](https://consolepc.net/lab/how-we-grade)
- [Missing runtime.](https://consolepc.net/lab/missing-runtime)

## Download

Free Windows app: [Download Kiln](https://consolepc.net/download)

Markdown mirror: https://consolepc.net/lab.md