Last Updated on August 4, 2023
What is the best mouse polling rate for gaming? why this mouse polling rate is important for you to know before buying a gaming mouse.
In this post, we would like to discuss in detail the best mouse polling rate for gaming. We hope, by reading this post, you can understand the mouse polling rate that suits your needs when playing games.
Let’s get started!
Many people who don’t know what polling rates are wind up purchasing a mouse that will actually hinder their performance in games. Fortunately, we’ve outlined everything you ought to know about gaming mice’s polling rates below.
You don’t need to be fully informed on polling rates. The highest polling rate your mouse can typically accomplish is the ideal polling rate for gaming mice. Most gaming mice have a 1000Hz frequency.
What is Polling Rate?
The frequency at which your mouse updates the computer on its location on the screen is known as the polling rate. Depending on the brand and type of the mouse in issue, the frequency can range from 125Hz to over 1000Hz.
A mouse, for instance, will refresh its position on the screen 125 times every second if the polling rate is set to 125Hz. The pointer movement you see on the screen will be more “real-time” the greater the polling rate. This table shows the overall millisecond delay at standard polling rates.
| Polling Rate | Total Delay |
|---|---|
| 125 Hz | 8 ms |
| 250 Hz | 4 ms |
| 500 Hz | 2 ms |
| 1000 Hz | 1 ms |
| 4000 Hz | 0.25 ms |
| 8000 Hz | 0.125 |
Polling rates—do they matter?
It’s simple to understand why a gaming mouse would benefit from a greater polling rate given what you’ve learned so far about polling rates. In writing, absolutely. Having a greater polling rate seems obvious given that the math is correct. However, there is actually just a 1ms delay between mice that poll at 500Hz and 1000Hz. So, barring superhuman vision, it will be impossible to tell the difference between the two.
However, it might be claimed that because they reduce input lag, greater polling rates are preferable. Even while this is true, any polling rate north of 500Hz already has input lag that is so negligible that it won’t be noticeable in games.
Furthermore, it has been discovered that CPU load increases at polling rates of 1000 Hz or higher. Actually, this load is small relative to what contemporary processors are designed to handle, thus it shouldn’t have an impact on the majority of systems.
However, people still utilizing older CPUs may experience problems when using mice with extremely high polling rates. In their situation, it would be much better to maintain a straightforward middle ground.
What is the best mouse polling rate for gaming?
What kind of game you’re playing can affect the polling rate you utilize with your mouse. The decreased input lag that comes from a faster polling rate is more advantageous for fast-paced eSports games. Other games, including those that include exploration and adventure, don’t always require a high polling rate.
Your polling rate might range from 500Hz to 1000Hz, depending on the games you want to play and the mouse you use. Since dropping below 500Hz creates quite a significant degree of input lag, we do not advise doing so (although there is no reason why anyone would).
In addition, the majority of contemporary gaming monitors tend to eliminate any input lag differences that the mouse may have initially introduced.
The majority of players typically choose one polling rate and stick with it for the whole mouse’s lifespan. Although there is nothing wrong with this method, you should always be mindful of your polling rate and whether or not it is appropriate for the games you play.
How to Change the Mouse Polling Rate?
Depending on the brand, there are a variety of ways to alter the polling rate of your gaming mouse. Some mice have physical buttons on the device that you may press to alter the polling rate. Others need specialized software to do so.
The methods required to modify the polling rate of the most popular brands of gaming mouse are described below:
1. Logitech Mice
Installing the Logitech G Hub program or the Logitech Gaming Software is required if you own a Logitech mouse. The polling rate options can be found in G Hub’s “Sensitivity (DPI)” section and in Logitech Gaming Software’s “gear-shaped icon.”
In both applications, the polling rate is referred to as the “report rate”.
2. Razer Mice
If your mouse was produced by the infamous three-headed snake, you will also require the company’s exclusive software. Obtain and set up the Razer Synapse application. After installation, launch the program and make a mouse click. Next, select “Performance” from the menu and scroll down to the section on polling rates.
There are two ways to change the polling rate of your mouse here. The initial choice is to choose a certain polling rate from the available presets. Typically, these are set to 125Hz, 500Hz, and 1000Hz. As an alternative, you can choose your preferred mouse polling rate by hand by clicking on the drop-down menu.
3. Glorious Mice
Installing the Glorious program is required if you own a Glorious gaming mouse and want to modify its polling rate. The program is jam-packed with settings that let you personalize your mouse however you choose.
But in the bottom right corner, under the “Mouse Parameter” menu, we can find the parameter we need. A list of sub-menus will appear after clicking this. The polling rate menu is located toward the bottom. When you click it, you may choose the polling rate you want.
SteelSeries Mice
SteelSeries mouse also require you to install customization software, just as the earlier manufacturers. It is the “SteelSeries Engine” in this case. It is a feature-rich program that enables you to adjust a wide range of variables, including polling rate. Apply the settings after choosing the desired polling rate.
Zowie Mice
The way in which BenQ Zowie mice modify their polling rates is extremely different. By performing a series of easy actions, you can really adjust the polling rate of the mouse using its physical buttons. However, it is debatable if this approach is superior to utilizing a straightforward software control.
Initially, confirm that your mouse is unplugged. Hold mouse buttons 4 and 5 (the side buttons) while connecting the mouse to the USB port to adjust your polling rate to 125Hz. To signal the polling rate change, the mouse wheel will illuminate.
Hold mouse button 5 while plugging the mouse back in to change the polling rate to 500Hz. The wheel will once more illuminate to signal the change.
Finally, hold down button 4 while plugging in the mouse to change the polling rate to 1000Hz. The wheel will illuminate (again).
Polling Rates in Wired vs Wireless Mice
Do wired and wireless mice have different polling rates now that you understand what a mouse polling rate is and what it does?
The quick response is “no”
The extended response is a little trickier than that. You see, early wireless gaming mice actually had significantly lower polling rates than their cable counterparts, which resulted in much larger latency.
However, because to advancements in wireless mouse technology, there is now little to no polling rate difference between wired and wireless mice. Any conceivable lag in a wireless gaming mouse will be caused by Bluetooth interferences rather than polling rate.
Therefore, if you choose a wireless mouse, you shouldn’t be concerned about experiencing disadvantages in terms of latency and polling rate.
If you want to extend the battery life of your wireless mouse, choose a polling rate of 500 Hz rather than 1000 Hz. This will save you some electricity.
How to Test Polling Rate on Any Mouse ?
Don’t worry if your mouse mysteriously lacks software that enables you to see what polling rate you’re at. You may test your mouse’s polling rate using a variety of internet programs.
You can test your mouse’s polling rate using the extensive web tool at https://devicetests.com/mouse-rate-checker. You will get two frequency numbers after pressing “start” for your maximum and average polling rates. It is particularly helpful if you want to diagnose any potential mouse faults without having to take your mouse to a repair shop (or even completely replace it).
Are Mouse and Keyboard Polling Rates Different?
Keypresses on keyboards are relayed back to the computer at different polling rates, just like mice. Similar to gaming mice, greater polling rates are typically desirable as they decrease latency and the chance of key strokes being missed.
The ability to customize is the primary distinction. Gaming mouse provide you a lot of latitude to customize the polling rate to your satisfaction, but not every keyboard provides the same level of adaptability.
The majority of wired keyboards have the highest polling rate out of the box and occasionally don’t include a mechanism to lower it (since why would you want to?). Some wireless keyboards do, however, provide users the opportunity to alter the polling rate because lowering it might lengthen battery life.
In summary, you won’t have to bother about adjusting the polling rates offered by the majority of keyboards.
Do Super-Fast Polling Rates Make a Difference?
Some specialized gaming mouse, like the Corsair Sabre Pro and the Razer Viper 8K, have polling speeds as high as an astounding 8000Hz! But today’s dilemma is: Is it truly worthwhile? Yes and no, I suppose.
On paper, a mouse with an 8000Hz polling rate should have practically zero latency. But so does a mouse with a polling rate of 1000 or 2000Hz. The difference is negligible after the polling rate crosses the 500Hz mark. Even a skilled eSports player will struggle to tell the difference between a 1000Hz mouse and a Razer Viper 8K.
Furthermore, a mouse with an 8000Hz polling rate would put a considerable additional burden on the CPU. This is particularly valid for CPUs in the low to mid range.
Software compatibility is a problem that also occurs when a mouse polls at extremely high polling rates. Some games are just not made to handle a mouse that refreshes so quickly. In some games, utilizing a mouse that polls at 8000Hz could actually have the reverse effect and make the input lag worse!
Stick with “quick mice” that feature excellent optical sensors and low-latency switches if you’re looking for one. Save the extremely high polling rates for later.
Final Words
If you read all the way through, kudos to you! Your knowledge of polling rates has advanced significantly. Now that you no longer have to worry about a gaming mouse’s polling rate, you may shop for one and choose a choice that best suits your needs.
