PS2 Port on a Motherboard: Pros, Cons & More

What is the PS2 Port on a Motherboard?

The PS2 port, also referred to as the mini-DIN 6 connector, is a circular port with six pins, typically used on older motherboards to connect input devices like keyboards and mice. The port is distinguished by its green color for keyboards and purple for mice.

Despite its prevalence in older hardware, the PS2 port has largely been replaced by USB ports for connecting input devices. However, for backward compatibility with older peripherals, some older motherboards may still include a PS2 port.

It’s important to note that PS2 ports do not support hot-swapping, meaning that you should only connect or disconnect input devices while the computer is powered off. Failing to do so may damage the port or the device itself.

Key Takeaways

• PS2 ports on a motherboard are having lower latency.
• These ports are good with connectivity and BIOS.
• PS2 ports on a motherboard are having key rollover which is loved by the gamers.
• The polling rates are very low in the PS 2 ports.

Understanding PS2 Port on a Motherboard

In the year 1987 PS2 was introduced by IBM. This port was there in the early 90s and 2000, but stopped for USB port and now again due to its features coming to the limelight.

This port was being used for connecting the mouse and keyboard thus it was also known as the mouse port on the motherboard. This port was being used for security reasons.

The DE-9 mouse connector and DIN keyboard connector were replaced by PS2. It simply allowed a beautifully easy way for connectivity.

It was introduced as a PC lineup namesake later others too came with its usage. Back in those days, it was used as a favored port for peripherals.

The teal green port was being used for the mouse and the purple one was for the keyboard.

For key rollover, there are no restrictions. Thus, gamers prefer a lot of these ports.

Now, most machines are coming with the PS 2 port on the motherboard with a single port where either a mouse or keyboard can be used.

But the PS2 ports with two are best. ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Apex can be a recent example using a full custom of dual color-coded PS/2 ports,

A PS/2 port entails 6 pins, with different features. The structure of a PS/2 interface:

• Pin 1: Data Transfer Pin 2 & 6:
• Not Connected
• Pin 3: Grounding
• Pin 4: Supply Voltage (+5V)
• Pin 5: Clock Pulse

There are old mechanical devices that still use this port for a different purpose.

The motherboards offering lower latency and connectivity are equipped with PS2 ports.

Even the BIOS works well with these ports with better compatibility; these are universally compatible.

Advantages of PS2 Port on a Motherboard

• PS2 ports on motherboards are freeing up USB ports for handling other devices like microphones to memory sticks.
• PS2 ports on motherboards are simply universally compatible with the devices.
• Old-school mechanical keyboards favored by gamers can be used by a PS2 port on motherboards.
• There is N-Key rollover which comes with the PS2 port keyboards loved by gamers and programmers.
• PS2 ports on the motherboard let the mouse with zero latency as there is a low polling rate.

Disadvantages of PS2 Port on a Motherboard

• PS/2 is not designed for hot-swappable. The system restarted with re-plugging and unplugging.
• PS2 is not durable like the modern connectors, the re-plugging and unplugging damage the pins.
• When you upgrade the computers with a motherboard having PS 2 ports you need to replace your external devices.

Questions & Answers:

Conclusion

PS 2 Ports relate to a computer usually used for a keyboard or a mouse or even other peripheral devices.

You can find it advantageous for handling other devices like microphones to memory sticks but when you upgrade the motherboard then it is replaced by the external devices.