Which is "faster" to connect the mouse to? USB port vs PS/2?

MegaVovaN

Diamond Member
May 20, 2005
4,131
0
0
I say PS2 is better because it is native.
Before even USB existed, mice and kbs were connected to PS2.
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
7
81
Most (if not all) newer motherboards support native USB (which basically means you can use the USB ports before the OS loads). So the PS/2 being native isn't nearly an issue as it used to be. Also, the USB ports offer far more bandwidth, although if a mouse actually uses the full PS/2 bandwidth I'm not sure...

Best thing is to try both and see if there is any change for your systems setup.
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
7
81
Originally posted by: DayLaPaul
USB because you don't have to crawl down to the back of the case to get to it.

Good point. USB definitely has something over PS/2 -- convenience. I have my kb, mouse, PDA sync cradle, and other devices plugged into a USB hub, so that I can switch all the devices at once between different machines. Absolutely wonderful, especially for the laptop, as I hate using the touchpad...
 

SuperNaruto

Senior member
Aug 24, 2006
997
0
0
doesn't usb have higher available bandwidth than ps2 .. well i dont know, just asking.. from lots of reading here and there..
 

Fox5

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
5,957
7
81
I think you can set a higher polling rate on PS/2 than on USB though, which might be useful for those without a lot of desk space.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
It really doesn't matter much because all of the described ports can handle any output the mouse has. The big swinger is convenience - access is best with USB, and the only option that is hot-pluggable is USB. With PS/2, parallel, serial, etc., the rodent has to be connected during boot or it will not register.
 

Gdepp519

Senior member
Jun 18, 2003
498
0
76
Originally posted by: corkyg
It really doesn't matter much because all of the described ports can handle any output the mouse has. The big swinger is convenience - access is best with USB, and the only option that is hot-pluggable is USB. With PS/2, parallel, serial, etc., the rodent has to be connected during boot or it will not register.



*nods in agreement*
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
485
126
Older mice are the fastest.

Why? Every geek knows SCUZZY = speed. :laugh:

USB polling rate can be increased beyond 125 samples/sec if you desire.

Most newer mice will work in compatibility mode when connected through a PS/2 to USB adapter so be aware that some of the advanced features their driversets may offer will not be available.
 

PianoMan

Senior member
Jan 28, 2006
505
10
81
I don't know definitely which is faster, but recent experience points to the USB mouse.

I was playing BF2 (single player) on my small IDEQ system w/Zboard and a PS/2 ball mouse. The pointer lagged enormously, and I thought it was my 9800Pro that induced the suckage.

Switched it out with my G5, and all was well again. Not sure if the differences in perceived speed was due to mouse design, or the interface.

PM
 

hurtstotalktoyou

Platinum Member
Mar 24, 2005
2,055
9
81
Hmm. I have no idea which is faster, but I do like PS/2 mice for convenience.

1) PS/2 mice are generally cheaper
2) They don't take up a USB port

Then again, that just happens to be what I care about most. You may prefer USB mice:
1) USB mice are hot swappable
2) They usually seem to come with a PS/2 adapter in case you need to free up a USB port.
 

AirForceElite

Senior member
Nov 8, 2004
268
0
0
does average gamer need to raise these so called "samples"?
i just play world of warcraft and battlefield2
and my mouse is connected via PS/2 thing but uses USB--->PS/2 adaptor...so do i need todo anything? will it give performance?
 

Noema

Platinum Member
Feb 15, 2005
2,974
0
0
Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Older mice are the fastest.

Why? Every geek knows SCUZZY = speed. :laugh:

Haha, I hadn't heard (or read) SCUZZY in a while. :)
 

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,715
38
91
Originally posted by: PianoMan
I don't know definitely which is faster, but recent experience points to the USB mouse.

I was playing BF2 (single player) on my small IDEQ system w/Zboard and a PS/2 ball mouse. The pointer lagged enormously, and I thought it was my 9800Pro that induced the suckage.

Switched it out with my G5, and all was well again. Not sure if the differences in perceived speed was due to mouse design, or the interface.

PM

you would need to use the same mouse w/ and w/out a usb adapter. comparing 2 entirely different mice is like comparig apples to oranges