If you think of buying a good gaming mouse and look at the specs sheet, the most obvious term will be the DPI. In case you are not sure what is DPI and why it is important, keep reading. In this article, I will explain the DPI in detail. It will help you when buying a gaming mouse.
What is DPI?
DPI is Dots per inch. It basically tells how sensitive a mouse is. The larger this value, the farther the cursor moves when you move the mouse.
Let’s take the example of a mouse with 1600 DPI. If you move this move by one inch, it will move 1600 pixels on the screen. If you are gaming in 1080p resolution and you play at a 1000 DPI setting, moving your mouse by 1 inch will move your crosshair by 1000 pixels.
So now you know that the mouse with high DPI settings can detect and react to even smaller mouse movements. DPI is the hardware capability and isn’t related to the mouse sensitivity setting available in Windows. Windows sensitivity is software-based while DPI is the physical attribute.
The regular mice usually have about 1600 DPI. But gaming mice come with 4000 DPI or more with the ability to change the DPI setting by pressing the dedicated DPI button. Most gaming mice let you change DPI from 400 to 4000. Razer Mamba Elite sports 16000 DPI.
How to check mouse DPI?
To check your mouse DPI, look for the manual that came with your mouse. It often contains information about the default DPI settings or how to check them. You can also visit the official website of the mouse manufacturer. Many companies provide detailed specifications for their products, including DPI settings.
There are also several third-party software tools can help you check mouse DPI. There are online tools available that help you estimate your mouse DPI by measuring the distance your cursor travels on-screen in relation to physical mouse movement.
Remember that the accuracy of online tools may vary, and for precise information, referring to the manufacturer’s specifications or official software is often the most reliable method.
Also see: Best Gaming Mouse
Why does mouse DPI matter in gaming?
DPI matters because it affects how quickly the cursor on the screen moves in response to physical mouse movements. Higher DPI settings allow for more precise and accurate movements. This is important in fast-paced games where quick and precise aiming is crucial. Gamers, especially in genres like first-person shooters, often need to make rapid and precise movements, and a higher DPI can help achieve this. Gaming mice often come with adjustable DPI settings, allowing players to customize the sensitivity based on their preferences and the specific requirements of different games. DPI settings can also be a matter of personal comfort. Some players find it more comfortable to use a higher DPI because it requires less physical movement of the mouse, while others prefer a lower DPI for better control.
What DPI is good for gaming?
There’s no specific answer to this. It varies from person to person and depends on the resolution you play games on, and on what game you want to play. Most pro gamers use a low DPI for more accuracy in FPS games. These gamers set their mouse on a dpi of between 400 and 800. The only way to find out the best DPI for you is to play games on different DPIs and see what works best for you.
Some gamers play different games at different DPI settings. If you keep playing on a specific DPI setting, you will become comfortable with it in 10-12 days. Most of the people who use high DPI settings usually use the wrist for quick aims. Gamers who use arm play on low DPI. Trust me, controlling the aim with arm offers better accuracy than controlling the aim with wrist movements.
Wrap Up
I hope you get why DPI is important now. Before buying a gaming mouse, make sure you know it well. Think of your mouse as your gaming weapon. If you are not comfortable with it, you won’t play your best.
We have several guides related to gaming hardware. If you are into gaming, you shouldn’t miss our gaming guides.
