Polling Rate/VM Speed
Let's simplify and clarify how polling rates, response rates, and VM speeds affect gaming controllers and their performance in games.
~ Burak/x22 DOT
- Definition: The number of times data is sent from the controller to the console in one second.
- Example:
- PS Controller: 250 Hz (sends 250 data packets per second).
- Xbox Controller: 125 Hz (sends 125 data packets per second).
- Definition: The time it takes for the console to receive and process the data from the controller after a button is pressed.
- Flow: Controller (button press) → Console (processing time in ms).
- Importance: A faster response rate means quicker reaction times in-game.
- Definition: The internal calculation time of the Cronus Zen, influenced by CPU load.
- Impact:
- High VM Speed: Greater than 8 ms can process data too slowly, leading to delays/lag as it doesn't provide enough data to the console.
- Low VM Speed: Lower than 4 ms can process data too quickly for the Zen to handle properly, causing errors in data processing.
- Relevance: Affects the overall feel and responsiveness of the controller and , impacting your gaming performance and experience.
- PS Controllers:
- Poll faster than Xbox controllers natively.
- Poll at 250 Hz, sending data every 4 ms.
- Xbox Controllers:
- Poll at 125 Hz, sending data every 8 ms. (250Hz can sometimes work well).
- Some, such as the GameSir G7 SE can poll at 1000 Hz, sending data every 1 ms.
- Native Polling Rate: Games are optimized for the native polling rate of the console.
- Higher Polling Rate Issues: Using a higher polling rate than what the game expects can lead to problems like jitter and lower aim assist due to the game receiving more data than anticipated.
- PS controllers have a higher native polling rate than Xbox controllers.
- The response rate and VM speed are crucial for ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay.
- Games are designed to work best with the native polling rates of consoles. Overclocking (using a higher polling rate) can negatively affect gameplay, especially Aim Assist and Anti-Recoil.
This should clarify how polling rates, response rates, and VM speeds impact gaming controllers and their in-game performance.