IntelliMouse Optical: USB vs PS2?

[Luke727]

I've got a usb IntelliMouse Optical (version 1.0A if that matters), which came with a ps2-usb adapter. Is there any advantage (or disadvantage) to using usb over ps2 for this mouse? I've disabled USB in my bios and don't want to use usb if I don't have to (conserving those irqs...). I don't really see any need to use usb for a device that transmits so little information. Or am I wrong? Yes, I will be playing Quake 3, etc...

 

[BeauJangles]

USB, I believe, consumes more resources then PS2.

 

[NaughtyusMaximus]

AFIK, PS2 samples at 60Hz (without tweaks), while USB samples at 100Hz, meaning that the USB mode should be more smooth.

 

[RolyL]

The resource burden of a USB mouse is rather low. The refresh rate under USB is much higher than under PS/2 (200 Hz vs. 40) unless you manually alter it (or use Win XP) and a highly clocked PS/2 port mouse will place a greater load on the system than a USB one. (I think.)

 

[beavens]

yeah - usb samples a lot more per second than ps2 does so your mouse will be a lot smoother, but it uses more cpu resources like said above.. ps2 samples less so it won't be AS smooth, but it doesn't tax the cpu as much

 

[RolyL]

Simultaneous post Naughtyus

 

[Soccerman]

hook up the PS2 adaptor, plug it in, DON'T install the drivers, and increase the refresh to maximum. AFAIK Win2K has the refresh thingy built into it (like, you can change it without a 3rd party program). if not, simple use of PS2Rate (or finding the registry keys that it changes) should get your PS2 port running silky smooth.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Hey guys, unless you CPU is in the sub-200 MHz range, do you have any HARD DATA that proves how much CPU is used with a USB mouse? I've got 6 (trying to configure a seventh) USB device, and have seen little to no serious degradation of performance. My CPUs have been Celeron 633@950, 1.4G T-bird, and now a single 1600+ MP.

-SUO

 

[Soccerman]

this isn't hard data, but I DO know that on my K6-2 @420mhz /w the Intellimouse Optical that the pointer speed/performance would depend alot on what was going on elsewhere. burning a CD? definate slowdown on the mouse (ie, both refresh and responsiveness slower).

it's just plain better to run PS/2, esp if you're trying to run Seti@Home and squeezing all the power out of the computer as possible for it..