MS Intellimouse Explorer 4.0 sample rate question?

T

tWreCK

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Jan 9, 2004
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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
 
For waht it's worth 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 120Hz (120times/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 (120Hz) 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?
 
i think the very max you can get on usb 2 is 240 but i think it's harder to achieve so ps2 is better. that is what i can remember from a thread quite a while a go though so i could be wrong.
 
MAN, I just switched my mouse for the hell of it after reading your post. HOLY HELL... PS2 > USB2.0, hands down. My mouse is back the way i like it.

Everyone, switch your mouse to PS2!!! Reboot twice, and set the refresh rate to 200
 
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