1000 updates per second, or 500 updates per second? What is better? It seems obvious that 1000 is the correct choice. More updates mean a more accurate and smoother experience, right?
What Is Polling Rate?
Polling rate, in short, is the frequency at which your computer checks for signals from the mouse. There is a slight delay in the communication between your computer and your mouse, so increasing your polling rate, will reduce the delay as it updates more often. For example, a mouse with a 1000hz polling rate, will refresh its location 1000 times per second.
125Hz – 8 ms delay
250Hz – 4 ms delay
500Hz – 2 ms delay
1000hz – 1 ms delay
The More, The Better?
Yes. The higher the polling rate, the better. 1000hz is objectively better in any way. More updates, means your mouse movement will be smoother, and more accurate. There is really no reason to use something other than 1000hz. Especially if you have a higher refresh rate than 60hz, then using something below 1000hz is noticeably laggier and the difference is night and day.
But don’t take my word for it. Let’s take a look at the pros polling rates. After all, they are getting paid and they are playing for hundreds of thousands of dollars. They have to make sure that everything is on point.
What The Pros Are Using?
Valorant
This is the settings table from prosettings.net for pro players in Valorant. Let’s check the data.
I analyzed the top 100 players (by order) in this table, and these are the results:
- 1000Hz Polling Rate – 99
- 500Hz Polling Rate – 1
- 125Hz Polling Rate – 0
Roughly 99% of Valorant players are using 1000Hz. Okay, starts very strong for the 1000Hz team. Let’s see some more data.
Apex Legends
Top 100 players (by order):
- 1000Hz Polling Rate – 92
- 500Hz Polling Rate – 7
- 125Hz Polling Rate – 0
- 8000Hz Polling Rate – 1 (This guy is living on another planet, holy)
CS:GO
Top 100 players (by order):
- 1000Hz Polling Rate – 97
- 500Hz Polling Rate – 3
- 125Hz Polling Rate – 0
Overwatch
Top 100 players (by order):
- 1000Hz Polling Rate – 95
- 500Hz Polling Rate – 2
- 125Hz Polling Rate – 1
- Unknown – 2
Rainbow Six Siege
Top 100 players (by order):
- 1000Hz Polling Rate – 90
- 500Hz Polling Rate – 6
- 125Hz Polling Rate – 1
- Unknown – 3
As you can see, roughly 95% of pro players use 1000Hz. If that statistic alone, doesn’t convince you, then I don’t think there is anything else in the world that can convince you.
There is no reason to use anything lower than that, as lowering your polling rate will lower the frequency at which your computer checks for signals from the mouse. Therefore, increasing the delay and making your mouse feel laggier.
Huge shoutout to prosettings.net, for acquiring this data.
By the way, if you can’t choose your mouse polling rate, then I would suggest upgrading your mouse. Check out What Gaming Mice Do Professional FPS Players Use? – Top 5 Gaming Mice In 2022
I Don't Notice The Difference Between 1000Hz And 500Hz
Mouse polling rate becomes way more noticeable at higher frame rates and refresh rates. If you are playing at 60 FPS. The difference might be non-existent, but with a 100+ FPS, the difference is getting way more apparent. With higher refresh rates, your monitor updates more often. Therefore, the delay between frames is smaller and the delay in your mouse-to-pc communication is more apparent.
So if you see people saying that it doesn’t matter, they probably play on a 60Hz monitor.
Bonus: Is wireless mice latency still a problem today? Read more at Wired Vs Wireless Gaming Mouse: Honest Opinion.
How To Change My Mouse Polling Rate?
Your mouse polling rate should be in your mouse software. Every good mouse have a software to support it. Make sure you download the right software for your mouse and you can adjust it there.
- Logitech – G HUB
- Razer – Razer Synapse
- SteelSeries – SteelSeries Engine
If you are not sure how to change your mouse polling rate or your mouse is not from a well known brand, just google it and you should be set in minutes.
If you don’t have a gaming mouse, you can’t change your polling rate. Not sure if upgrading is worth it? Are Gaming Mice Worth It?: Honest Opinion
Conclusion
What’s the best mouse polling rate? Is it 500hz or 1000hz? You should 100% choose 1000hz. More frequent updates in the communication between your PC and your mouse means a more accurate, snappier and smoother experience. Plus, 95% of pro players use 1000Hz, then we should be too.
