If you want rumble, get Logitech F510 (wired) or F710 (wireless) instead. Albeit, I am unsure if F510 is sold anymore, as Logitech homepages seem to list only F310 and F710 anymore.

Correct, the F310 has no vibration support whereas the F510 (wired) and F710 (wireless) do. The F510 is cheaper than the F710.

You are better off getting a Logitech gamepad, Xbox% controllers are meant for the consoles and have poor support on PC's, especially older games.
Logitech on the other hand has software that even in case a game gives problems it can be overcome using the software, to top it off, they're much cheaper also.
However if it's the D-pad you need then you are best off with the Playstation 1/2/3 controller.

If you looking for good, but not super fancy controller i can recommend (if its still sold) Logitech Chillstream - perfect comfort and full Xbox compatibility

I'm very satisfied with xbox360 wireless controller which I purchased with a wireless usb dongle, works like a charm, all games support it and it feels great in my hands.

I use a wired 360 controller and Im very happy with it.

I'm very happy with my PS3 controller. I use the driver from motioninjoy but I prefer to use Better DS3 to configure the controller.

On newer games I configure it to emulate the Xbox controller. On older games that supported only 2 buttons I map the keyboard on the extra buttons and it's very easy to do (I can play wing commander and only need the keyboard to tell my wingman to break and attack).

http://betterds3.ciebiera.net/

I don't see why you should buy a Xbox controller and also buy Xpadder to configure it when you get all the same for free with your current PS3 controller.

I'm going to throw my vote in for the F310/F510/F710. They're all essentially the same controller, although as already mentioned, the F310 has no vibration, the F510 is cabled and the F710 is wireless. I personally have a F510 as I'm no fan of battery problems with wireless controllers.

They all have a neato switch on the back that lets you toggle between DirectInput mode and XInput mode, which not only allows you force feedback in DirectInput games (a Xbox 360 controller can only achieve this with some effort), it also allows the triggers to be configured as normal buttons in DirectInput mode as opposed to axis. Anyone who's tried playing the GTA 3 trilogy with a 360 controller will know what a nightmare that is.

Lastly, they have a discrete analogue/digital switch button that switches out the analogue sticks and d-pad for console games. That means you don't have to fiddle about with Microsoft's own settings in the joypad config.

How's the d-pad on that one? I've been thinking of buying the F710 because of the switches but I don't like a d-pad that is one big button, I prefer them independent like on a dualshock controller.

Slightly wobbly, which means it's not a great pad for fighting games (I've since gotten used to using the analogue sticks for SF4, which I somehow get more precision out of). The d-pad's wobbliness makes it more difficult to pull off charge moves, which is especially irritating when you're trying to smoothly pull off an ultra with Blanka.

It's fine for other games though. I've not had any problems playing Taito Legends, Irem Arcade Hits or Sega Mega Drive Classics with it.

Thanks for all your answers.

1) I do have 360 controller I just don't want to use it because from my simple research I heard there are a lot of issues that the controller disconnects. I am also confused by the many drivers to be downloaded and button mappings. It is not supported on the Mac IIRC.

2) As for the ps3 controller, I thought those hard complex setup on a Windows system and I am not sure if they were with good OLD games. I know they work with some of the recent ones.

3) I never put into consideration Logitech controllers because I thought they wear cheap way to make a quick buck and not worth-while. I am also absolutely unaware of any Xinput or DirectInput.

4) I am surprised older games like Tomb Raider do not have Joystiq support. I have seen many kinds of add-ons/controllers for the PC since at least '93 . In addition, Who would play Tomb Raider using a keyboard? You must have gotten all kinds of strains and finger joints pain. Reminds me of a time when I tried Street Fighter on a PC.

Looks like the F710 is the best option. I will just get that. Here are the games I plan on using the controller on:
1- Rayman 2
2- Psychonauts
3-Tomb Raider 1-2-3
4-Pandemonium
5-Abe's Odyssey (but I might hold out on this one until the HD remake is released)
6-Dust
7-Guacamelee