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Comment by captainmuon | Hacker News Reader

I've been thinking about building a new PC, mostly for development (if the budget allows also for a bit of gaming), and was wondering what components to pick to reduce latency and to get a satisfying feeling of "immediacy". Like when I first got an SSD and apps started instantly. Or when I got my first > GHz PC and optical mouse, and the cursor moved so smoothly it was uncanny.

For input to screen latency, I think wired keyboard and mouse would be important. For "instant app opening" a recent CPU and enough RAM, and a NVME SSD. But beyond that I'm not sure. Does anybody have any recommendations or tips? Does a 140 Hz or G-Sync monitor help? Are there any pitfalls (I've heard anecdotically that some CPU power saving states can cause micro-stutter)?

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A 144hz monitor makes a huge difference. It will cut the inherent max latency of a display frame from 16ms to 6ms. They feel amazing.

Some days it feels like I have the last non 16:9 monitor ever made (and it’s not even 4:3, it’s just 16:10).

Every year I search for a true 10-bit IPS 16:10 (or better) hi-dpi or hi-FPS (ideally both) monitor and every year I’m disappointed. My ZR30W is the oldest part of my PC (Model F keyboard notwithstanding) and has survived maybe four builds.

There are a couple of 10 bit IPS 4096x2560 monitors these days. They are ludicrously expensive, but they are out there.

A high refresh rate monitor will cut down latency by 10-15ms. It'll also look/feel much smoother. You won't notice the 1ms added by a good wireless mouse in my experience. (I'm happy with my wireless Logitech G305 mouse on Linux, it's supported by the kernel so it's plug and play. Also surprisingly good battery life.)

144Hz monitors are definitely a noticeable improvement over 60. GSync/Freesync are nice in games, not really relevant elsewhere.

If you want to avoid microstutters associated with power savings you can adjust the minimum clock the CPU governor will set.

>and the cursor moved so smoothly it was uncanny

If you want that feeling again you should definitely get a 144hz monitor.

There are tests out there measuring the latency of wireless mouse and unless you are buying a dirt cheap one, you are fine. There is no real difference in latency against wired.

> There is no real difference in latency against wired.

I disagree, but that’s not important. What is important is that there’s a huge difference in the standard deviation of latency (i.e. jitter) and that is - to me - unacceptable.

I've noticed no such problem with my "Lightspeed" Logitech mouse and I'm very perceptive to slowdowns and stutters.

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