Which gamepad for PC?

durbs

durbs

durbs

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15 Oct 2005
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I'm not normally a fan of gamepads but have got a couple of games on the go at the moment that would probably benefit from one.

Never used a pad before on PC so was wondering what's the best, most universally compatible option?

Is it get an XBox controller, use my existing PS3 controller with motionjoy or get a dedicated PC pad?

Anyone got any particular setup that they've found works consistently well across a decent range of games? Don't want to spend more than £40 max really.

Ta.
 
There are unofficial drivers to use a dual shock 3 but I found it more hassle that it's worth.

In the end I just bought a wired 360 pad as it works on the PC without any hassle, plus it is a spare pad for my 360.
 
dogmanstaruk said:
There are unofficial drivers to use a dual shock 3 but I found it more hassle that it's worth.
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Cheers, yeah, that's why I'd held off on using the PS3 one as had read a few things that suggested it could be problematic, looks like you've confirmed that.

So the 360 one works well then? Had seen that MS had released drivers for it so hoped that would be the case.
 
if your ok messing about installing drivers and messing about opening the app then pairing up the controller up all the time then go with the ps3 controller. I did it for a while and just bought the XBOX controller for windows less hassle and just works out the box no faffing about
 
durbs said:
Cheers, yeah, that's why I'd held off on using the PS3 one as had read a few things that suggested it could be problematic.

So the 360 one works well then? Had seen that MS had released drivers for it so hoped that would be the case.
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they work mate, a lot of games are actually supported and show actual key mapping eg when u need to press a button the screen will show up the controller button. It does it in saints row 3
 
+1 for 360 controller, just get a corded one, wireless ones don't tend to have a long life. Running windows update has driver on there, don't think you even need it though, I always installed it just in case.
 
Cool, thanks all, I'll go for a wired 360 one then. Looks like they aren't a bad price either (better than the replacement wireless PS3 one I had to buy recently after one of mine died, cost me a ruddy fortune as needed it straight away so had to pay High Street price).
 
LokiS said:
+1 for 360 controller, just get a corded one, wireless ones don't tend to have a long life. Running windows update has driver on there, don't think you even need it though, I always installed it just in case.
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Not sure what you mean by the wireless controller not having a long life:confused: I've been using mine for about 4/5 years. Or are you talking about battery life?
 
another +1 for the wired 360 pad, tried the wireless one, but the fuse on the receiver died, there are fixes for it, but seemed like a lot of hassle, for no sure fire fix, so went to a wired one and had no problems in the last year of using it
 
smit101 said:
Not sure what you mean by the wireless controller not having a long life:confused: I've been using mine for about 4/5 years. Or are you talking about battery life?
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Maybe I've been unlucky, one we had broke outside of warranty and read similar cases online with the same issue, the receiver part on the pad goes bust. edit: I really can't type today 8(
 
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one problem i had was my analog started pushing to the side i opened mine up and caked it in WD40 fixed the problem, It did get physically abused on fifa tho
 
LokiS said:
Maybe I've been unlucky, one we had broke outside of warranty and read similar cases online with the same issue, the receiver part on the pad broke.
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Ah right, wasn't aware of that. I'm still using the wireless pad that came with my early release 360 console way back in 2007, the 360 died years ago but the pad is still going strong.
 
mame said:
I've used the wired xbox 360 pad for years. Never even installed a driver for it.
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+1 and it comes with a stupidly long cable!

PS3 or 360 controller, whichever you find more comfortable to be honest, neither is "better" but the 360 one is easier to install.
 
I use a wired XB360 pad and it seems pretty good compared to my old PS controller clone, that used to needed a bit of configuration to get working and often the analog sticks didn't work as analog if that makes sense.
One advantage of XB360 pad is a lot of games have native support (requirement for GFW certification I think) so it is probably the most 'hassle free' option. I'd say ironically it is better than dedicated PC pad in that respect because developers will tend to develop with XB360 controller in mind.

If you have a £40 budget that should be no problem at all, I think mine cost about £17 a few years ago.
 
If you prefer the ps3 setup then I highly recommend the Logitech F710. same ps3 style pad, fully wireless which imo is much better then awkward wires (and ive been using the pad every other day for 2 months an stlll on the same batteries) and supports both x-input and direct input (controlled by a switch) so as fully compatible as can be.
 
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