Widescreen Gaming Forum

I'm currently using Logitech Classic Keyboard. It uses PS/2 input instead of USB. Recently I saw another Logitech Classic model but with USB support, selling only RM3 more than than the PS/2 model. Both models are identical: spill-resistant, height-adjustable and have no special features like mutimedia hotkeys, macros, LED backligthing etc. They're just standard keyboards.

I'm just wondering if it's worth buying the USB model & sell my current keyboard as 2nd-hand? Is there any advantage of using USB keyboard over PS/2, in FPS games or typing?

In general, usb is more supported on other devices. But PS/2 can always be recognized in bios. I had some issues with my usb keyboars not being recognized because they were attached to a hub.

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Technically speaking PS/2 is superior. So no there is absolutely no reason to replace your keyboard with a USB one. That being said theres no reason not to get a USB keyboard if you're buying one anyway.

Yeah, PS/2 is actually "better" as there is no polling rate as such, whereas USB (by default) polls every 8ms (125Hz).

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I'm not sure why nobody has mentioned ghosting yet. My old PS/2 keyboard couldn't handle more than two keys at once being pressed.

http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/AntiGhostingExplained.mspx

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I'm not sure why nobody has mentioned ghosting yet. My old PS/2 keyboard couldn't handle more than two keys at once being pressed.

http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/AntiGhostingExplained.mspx

You didn't get one of those awesome mechanical keyboards that allow for all the keys to be pressed and all be recognized.

_________________
System Core: | Intel Core i5-2500K + ASUS P8Z68-V + 16GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333 MHz | Win7 x64 | MSI R7970 Lightning 3GB [1105/1400] |
Display: | 3 x Dell Ultrasharp 3007WFP-HC @ 7680x1600 | Dell u3011 |

Yeah, PS/2 is actually "better" as there is no polling rate as such, whereas USB (by default) polls every 8ms (125Hz).

I don't understand what poll rate is...

I'm not sure why nobody has mentioned ghosting yet. My old PS/2 keyboard couldn't handle more than two keys at once being pressed.

http://www.microsoft.com/appliedsciences/AntiGhostingExplained.mspx

Seems like ghosting is more due to the keyboard's internal wiring rather than the I/O type

Poll rate is basically how often the PC queries the device for a status update/data transmit.

USB keyboards are inferior to PS/2 ones, at least in raw terms. In reality, USB keyboards can do more because you can provide more power down a USB connection than you can via PS/2, so integrated LCDs, backlights, thousands of extra knobs, buttons switches and other junk can be crammed on in the name of 'ergonomics' or 'gaming'.

Status update every 8ms? That's 125 times per second! Sounds like a lot of work for the PC.

Um... not really. Bear in mind that 1GHz = 1,000,000,000 cycles per second.