Call me old fashioned, but I’ve used an Xbox 360 wired controller for a decade on my PC. I’m turning my plex server into a media center gaming computer. Fiancé wants Wii capability and I’ve had it set up to stream Steam link for a while now. So I will need wireless controllers being it’s going to the living room. Is the Xbox wireless protocol and it’s associated dongle better than Bluetooth? I would be picking up 2 brand new OEM Xbox controllers, whatever generation that Walmart or the like has
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Pc and wireless Xbox controller
- Thread starter matt167
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pendragon1
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it seems to work better because its dedicated just to the controllers. get a controller and dongle kit plus a second controller. should end up cheaper.
This was along my thinking. I’m planning on getting the Dolphinbar for the Wii stuff as well because it’s reported to have less lag and that makes sense since the bar itself is the physical connection to the computer, and only the wiimotes connect to it
Zepher
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I have used the dongles with my Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers and they connect seamlessly and work awesome, but I have never used 2 controllers on the PC at the same time.
I did use my Xbox Elite2 conroller with BT on my Steam Deck and it worked fine but I was only a few feet from it and only used it for 30 minutes or so when I was testing Mario Kart 8 in the Yuzu Switch emulator.
I did use my Xbox Elite2 conroller with BT on my Steam Deck and it worked fine but I was only a few feet from it and only used it for 30 minutes or so when I was testing Mario Kart 8 in the Yuzu Switch emulator.
Domingo
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Bluetooth is a crapshoot on the PC depending on what kind of Bluetooth adapter you have. If you have one of those little USB fobs, they drop inputs constantly, have minimal range, and are known to crap out mid-game. All of them. I did a bunch of tests with a variety of them.
If you have a built-in Bluetooth/Wi-Fi adapter with antennas on your mobo (or a PCIe add-on card), they work fantastically even with multiple devices connected. Those antennas make all the difference.
If you don't have a built-in adapter or card, go with the Xbox dongle. It's actually a little bit better than Bluetooth, but they're also at least $25. Both Bluetooth and the dongle will let you connect multiple devices. I've never used more than 2 at once, but that has worked fine for me.
If you have a built-in Bluetooth/Wi-Fi adapter with antennas on your mobo (or a PCIe add-on card), they work fantastically even with multiple devices connected. Those antennas make all the difference.
If you don't have a built-in adapter or card, go with the Xbox dongle. It's actually a little bit better than Bluetooth, but they're also at least $25. Both Bluetooth and the dongle will let you connect multiple devices. I've never used more than 2 at once, but that has worked fine for me.
pendragon1
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buying straight from ms looks to be the cheapest way at the moment, $110
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-wireless-controller-adapter-win10
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-wireless-controller
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-wireless-controller-adapter-win10
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-wireless-controller
Armenius
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Bluetooth on the new Xbox controllers work really well with the Intel receiver built into my motherboard.
Domingo
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That should work absolutely fine then. Those Intel WiFi/BT cards are typically fantastic. If nothing else, give it a go. If it isn't working the way you want, you can look for other options.
I used my series x controller for a long time via Bluetooth worked great with no issues. How ever when I got a new motherboard with out Bluetooth and switched to the official USB adapter. I wouldn't be able to go back. Less input lag, instant connect, better range and I recently discovered that it will remember my controller when I move the adapter from my desktop to my laptop or steamlink
Hmm, lag is a reason I’ve always had wired controllers. I guess the dongle is probably best. It’s only $20.
pendragon1
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just make sure to get a real one. knock offs seem to be kinda flakey. another tip to save on controllers is to look at gamestop/walmart for discontinued special edition controllers. i snagged my pubg controller for only $30CAN.
I just thought about GameStop for a controller: I saw the knockoff dongles, but a genuine one is literally $3 more. I’d only buy Xbox branded
applegrcoug
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dang, that is a really good deal.
I was doing some controller stuff a couple weeks ago and decided to get the cheap knock off xbox 360 dongles because I have a bunch of 360 controllers from the days of using 360s as media extenders. Those dongles work fine after you go through all the steps to get the driver to work. I do seem to remember that it is one controller per dongle.
Zepher
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If you have Honey there is $8.74 and $4.99 cash back for the next 18 hours,
https://www.joinhoney.com/
I am not sure if you can apply the offer for both in the same order, or if you apply for the offer on one that the other one won't have the offer anymore.
pendragon1
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about 15'
I had a weird thought it would be cool to have usb ports and wired controllers on an end table. But this is a 6th gen Dell Optiplex so I have to be real at the same time.
Hit a snag with the Bluetooth side of the wireless card. Didn’t realize it takes a usb connection for the Bluetooth to work. There is no free internal connection. I’ll have to get an adapter and loop it through a vent in the case to a usb port
pendragon1
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thats one way to do it. i connected a aio block like that for years. all your usb2/3(adaptable) mobo connections are taken?
It’s a Dell Optiplex 3050 so the USB 2 header is proprietary. I could get an adapter for that at a cost of $30 I think
So a little digging and I found the 3050 does use a standard usb 3 header just as the older ivy bridge dells Ive had do. So I could use a splitter cable and a USB 3 to 2 header adapter. Theoretically that would work.. but would it really? I’ve adapted USB 2 header to usb C to get the front panel port working on a more modern case before, so I’m use to that kind of craziness