Of course. The keyboard controller detects when PS/2 is used and can simply pass more simultaneous keystrokes (or more specifically...simultaneous grid connections)
You're not wrong, but the technical reason is that keystrokes detected over a PS/2 port are treated as hardware interrupts, which basically halts CPU's current processing to immediately handle what caused the hardware interrupt (in this case, it needs to immediately register that a key was pressed). It doesn't poll the port (as USB does) at a regular interval to detect if any changes happened, it simply registers the key stroke immediately.
"Hardware interrupts are used by devices to communicate that they require attention from the operating system.[2] Internally, hardware interrupts are implemented using electronic alerting signals that are sent to the processor from an external device, which is either a part of the computer itself, such as a disk controller, or an external peripheral. For example, pressing a key on the keyboard or moving the mouse triggers hardware interrupts that cause the processor to read the keystroke or mouse position."
"While it is very useful for mice, it's just about meaningless for keyboards. Let's assume for a minute that all switches have the 5ms debouncing time of Cherry MX switches (which is being very generous). Even if you had super human speed and reflexes, every single key would be delayed by at least that much. So really, any polling rate over 200Hz (at best) is absolutely useless, and nothing but market hype. It may even be a bit detrimental, because you'd be wasting CPU time polling the keyboard unneededly. And unlike USB keyboards, PS/2 boards aren't polled at all. They simply send the signal to the PC whenever they are ready to, which causes a hardware interrupt, forcing the CPU to register that keystroke."
I find it a very welcome feature - since a lot of high end users also have high end headphones. I myself use optical to a receiver but used to run an Auzentech card with a proper headphone amp that included a 1/4 jack.
I wish more manufacturers included it on their top tier boards.
"GODLIKE" and it still has fewer USB ports than many basic Sandy Bridge motherboards...
Was a little surprised when I upgraded to Kaby Lake and had to keep my USB expansion card. It used to provide an internal header for the USB3 ports at the front of the case, now I need it for extra ports on the back...
The PCH is connected via 4 DMI(PCI-E) lanes to CPU. How many millions of gigabit data do you want to push through those 4 lanes at same time? The board seems to have every port on the PCH filled and is likely double using the multiplexer chip to split the 20 generic PCI lanes to 4x8 ports(16 mechanical slots) and 3x4 m.2 ports. get Just get a hub and velcro to back of case.
"The performance claims are interesting, since the ASM2142 already had a pretty solid performance advantage over the Intel Alpine Ridge controllers" => got any detailed comparison for this claim ?
FFS, how are they going to top this ridiculous name? "GODLIKE GAMING"? "EXTREME" wasn't enough? "UBER" wasn't enough? What's next? "MULTI-PANTHEON CRUSHING GAMING"?
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Renagade - Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - link
A flagship MB like this, and STILL a PS/2 connector. When will those go away?unityofsaints - Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - link
PS/2 has n-key rollover, USB doesn't. Also, when extreme overclocking (e.g. LN2), USB can hurt stability.fazalmajid - Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - link
Will n-key rollover still work when it's not a real PS/2 keyboard but a USB one with adapter, as most are nowadays?Samus - Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - link
Of course. The keyboard controller detects when PS/2 is used and can simply pass more simultaneous keystrokes (or more specifically...simultaneous grid connections)JoeyJoJo123 - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
You're not wrong, but the technical reason is that keystrokes detected over a PS/2 port are treated as hardware interrupts, which basically halts CPU's current processing to immediately handle what caused the hardware interrupt (in this case, it needs to immediately register that a key was pressed). It doesn't poll the port (as USB does) at a regular interval to detect if any changes happened, it simply registers the key stroke immediately.Additional Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrupt
"Hardware interrupts are used by devices to communicate that they require attention from the operating system.[2] Internally, hardware interrupts are implemented using electronic alerting signals that are sent to the processor from an external device, which is either a part of the computer itself, such as a disk controller, or an external peripheral. For example, pressing a key on the keyboard or moving the mouse triggers hardware interrupts that cause the processor to read the keystroke or mouse position."
https://superuser.com/questions/341215/is-there-a-...
"While it is very useful for mice, it's just about meaningless for keyboards. Let's assume for a minute that all switches have the 5ms debouncing time of Cherry MX switches (which is being very generous). Even if you had super human speed and reflexes, every single key would be delayed by at least that much. So really, any polling rate over 200Hz (at best) is absolutely useless, and nothing but market hype. It may even be a bit detrimental, because you'd be wasting CPU time polling the keyboard unneededly. And unlike USB keyboards, PS/2 boards aren't polled at all. They simply send the signal to the PC whenever they are ready to, which causes a hardware interrupt, forcing the CPU to register that keystroke."
29a - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
I hope they never go away since I have a PS2 keyboard.helvete - Friday, August 25, 2017 - link
Exactly. And why waste a USB port for that?Ro_Ja - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
Because some people don't want to end up buying a mouse if their main ones broke.North01 - Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - link
Interesting how they have a 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) headphone jack on the back.mr_tawan - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
Guess they will add XLR in the future.Cellar Door - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
I find it a very welcome feature - since a lot of high end users also have high end headphones. I myself use optical to a receiver but used to run an Auzentech card with a proper headphone amp that included a 1/4 jack.I wish more manufacturers included it on their top tier boards.
Lolimaster - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
Why would you want an obsolete platform when you got AM4 with upgrades till 2020?Leonick - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
"GODLIKE" and it still has fewer USB ports than many basic Sandy Bridge motherboards...Was a little surprised when I upgraded to Kaby Lake and had to keep my USB expansion card. It used to provide an internal header for the USB3 ports at the front of the case, now I need it for extra ports on the back...
close - Friday, May 26, 2017 - link
GaudyLike Gaming....blahsaysblah - Monday, May 29, 2017 - link
The PCH is connected via 4 DMI(PCI-E) lanes to CPU. How many millions of gigabit data do you want to push through those 4 lanes at same time? The board seems to have every port on the PCH filled and is likely double using the multiplexer chip to split the 20 generic PCI lanes to 4x8 ports(16 mechanical slots) and 3x4 m.2 ports. get Just get a hub and velcro to back of case.Shrakito - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
"The performance claims are interesting, since the ASM2142 already had a pretty solid performance advantage over the Intel Alpine Ridge controllers" => got any detailed comparison for this claim ?CharonPDX - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - link
FFS, how are they going to top this ridiculous name? "GODLIKE GAMING"? "EXTREME" wasn't enough? "UBER" wasn't enough? What's next? "MULTI-PANTHEON CRUSHING GAMING"?Lord of the Bored - Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - link
D1X-CR-U5H3R is next. I guarantee it.