What Controller Polling Rate Can Tell You About Latency
What Controller Polling Rate Can Tell You About Latency
Polling rate describes how often the host can receive an input report, one part of the overall response time.
A shorter reporting interval can reduce the wait between a physical action and the next report. The controller still has to read its sensors, and the game has to process the input before the display shows it.
Wireless conditions, game frame timing and display behavior can dominate the difference. A high polling rate on paper gives little information about inconsistent delays.
A meaningful comparison uses the same game, frame cap and monitor. Repeated measurements can reveal whether the controller reduces both typical delay and occasional spikes.
