MS Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 sample rate question?

[tWreCK]

Hey all, I have a question regarding the not-all-so-exciting subject of optical mouses. I recently bought the new MS Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 and while nothing optically has changed according to the specs from the predecessor Explorer 3.0 there appears to have been some changes in the way it responds within WinXP. Since I mainly use it for gaming and I'm running an older MB with only USB 1.1 ports I connect it to the PS/2 port. I have also tweaked the mouse sample rate within XP to 200 but when use Mouse Rate Checker 1.1b to check the sample rate it reads steadily around 90? When I use my old trusty Explorer 3.0 (PS/2) and check with the same sample rate utility I get a value closer to 200 where it supposedly should be. Why is this? has anyone experienced the same phenomenon? Since I have changed the value within XP's own drivers which of the 2 values should I consider the correct one - the one Mouse Rate Checker gives me or should I just trust XP?

I would also like to know if someone can clarify the different sample rates corresponding to the different input interfaces (USB 1.1, USB 2.0 & PS/2)? For example, if i were to buy a newer MB with USB 2.0 - what would the expected top sample rate be for an optical mouse such as the Explorer 4.0? Which is the best for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience? Any help/info is appreciated......

Thanks,
Peter

 

[tWreCK]

***Bump***

 

[brunswickite]

i would assume the mouse would not respond any faster if you were using it on USB 1.1 or USB 2.0, i highly doubt the mouse would use that much bandwidth

 

[BD2003]

Ps2 is the slowest, and USB and USB 2 are going to be the same speed. Use USB.

 

[hytek369]

i can't find a v4.0 anywhere, where did you get yours?

 

[tWreCK]

I'm not talking about the actual bandwidth/throughput of the USB or PS/2 interfaces - I'm more interested in the mouse sample rate within windows or put in laymans terms - how many times per second the mouse cursor in windows is updated on the screen. From what I've read USB 1.1 is limited to 60Hz (60times/second) whereas PS/2 can be tweaked all the way up to 200Hz making for a more responsive, smoother /lag free gaming. Most gamers prefer running mice on PS/2 because of the higher update frequency but now since USB 2.0 is offered on most MB's I'm wondering if the older limitation of USB 1.1 (60Hz) is a thing of the past and what the sample rate of a mouse would be if i should choose to use USB 2.0?

Btw, I'm in Sweden so I bought mine from an online retailer over here. Check all the good online retailer - they should have them in stock.

 

[BD2003]

USB polls at 120 or 125hz, not 60hz. You can tweak ps/2 to run higher, but why bother? Unless youre playing quake 3 at 200fps, your mouse isnt going to make any difference. When I O/ced my mouse, I had nothing but problems. USB is plenty fast at 120hz. Keep in mind the refresh rate of your monitor is going to be the major limiting factor here, not the speed of your mouse.

Id say its fairly safe to say that your RR isnt any over 120, and if you have an LCD its locked around 60-75, so therefore anything over that number is a waste.

 

[BD2003]

And how much did the 4.0 cost anyway? Im dying to get that.

 

[tWreCK]

I bought mine bulk packed (no driver disc, manual, fancy box etc) for $48 including shipping - not too bad considering it's the top of the line MS USB optical. The mouse itself has a much nicer feel to it and better design - feels better in the hand. The buttons feel sturdier than they did on the older 3.0 yet they still click smoothly. The tilt-scroll is the main update to the mouse but I don't really have any use for the tilt scroll (horizontal) function at this time - perhaps a graphics artist etc will benefit more. The scroll wheel is much better than on the previous version - it's stepless & very smooth. Overall the best mouse I've owned so far - was just curious about the sample rate.

If a mouse's sample rate is limited by the screen refresh rate & considering people are most likely not running a screen refresh rate higher than 100-120Hz anyway, why are gamers/people making such a big deal out of the whole USB vs PS/2 thing (200Hz)?

 

[BD2003]

I havent heard of it being a big deal for a long long time. Not since USB mice first started coming out, and people were wondering whether USB was better because it was faster. People will O/C anything, and a 200hz mouse just sounds cool. But it is a non-issue. In fact, having a mouse at 200hz can be detrimental to system performance since it hits the CPU harder.

Anyway, Ive got one question about the ms 4.0 mouse. In the intellimouse software or in a game, can you assign the tilt wheel left and right to functions?

 

[0roo0roo]

what matters more is the mouse sensor dpi/refresh

 

[tWreCK]

Unfortunately you can't assign the tilt scroll left/right to any functions in a game or otherwise - it's only function at this time is horizontal scrolling left/right. Perhaps in a later driver version it might be possible who knows? Why didn't MS think of this?

 

[Sabs]

Where did you buy it? I can't find it either.