Mechanical keyboards: PS/2 or USB

[Phaetos]

As I search for an affordable mechanical keyboard, I've seen where they come with PS/2 adapters, one manufacturer even recommending using the PS/2 over USB due to polling rates on the CPU cycles polling the keyboard for input presses or something.

Does it really make a difference in gaming or typing in general to use a PS/2 over USB?

 

[corkyg]

The consensus here seems to be, if you have PS/2, use it. If nothing else, it saves you a USB port.
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/which-is-better-for-keyboards-usb-or-ps-2.148771/

 

[Phaetos]

The consensus here seems to be, if you have PS/2, use it. If nothing else, it saves you a USB port.
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/which-is-better-for-keyboards-usb-or-ps-2.148771/

Funny that's a 3 yr old thread. I didn't realize that Cherry switches had been around that long.

 

[corkyg]

3 years is not a very long time - I guess that depends on how it relates to your age. Cherry switches are not new, and PS/2 is decades old.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Most mechanical keyboards support N-key rollover (you press ALLLLLLLL of the keys!) over PS/2 and support something like 6/9 key rollover over USB.

That's basically the only difference. If you have PS/2, you might as well use it, since you're unlikely to use that port with anything else.

 

[ControlD]

Funny that's a 3 yr old thread. I didn't realize that Cherry switches had been around that long.

Cherry MX switches have been around since sometime in the 1980s. I believe the company itself is somewhat older than that.

I'm not a huge fan of the PS/2 connector, so I would go USB. That will also give you the best forward compatibility because chances are your next motherboard won't have a PS/2 port. You can always use an adapter I suppose if you really want the PS/2 option.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I love cherry mx blues like my ione uses. My logitech g710+ uses the browns and they don't feel as good, too mushy, but I'lll take them over rubber membrane any day.

 

[Phaetos]

3 years is not a very long time - I guess that depends on how it relates to your age. Cherry switches are not new, and PS/2 is decades old.

I know how long PS/2's been around as well, been in the computer biz going on 25 years.

 

[Phaetos]

I love cherry mx blues like my ione uses. My logitech g710+ uses the browns and they don't feel as good, too mushy, but I'lll take them over rubber membrane any day.

I was looking at getting brown's, but those keyboards are just ridiculous in price. Blacks may be the next option "down" so to speak.

 

[deustroop]

I have used a Logitech mechanical PS/2 board forever and this current model was hard to find--had to Amazon it, if I recall. USB is everywhere but what the PS/2 does is allow for a cold startup by touching the space bar. Hello ! Convenience is way up there.