What is DPI in a mouse?

Currently, mice focused on games are launched with high DPI and sounding rates. But what do these specifications mean and what high values are beneficial?

These specifications are usually more important for players, which is why you tend to see the values prominently in the advertising and packaging that mice bring for games. You have to know that you do not need high precision or quick reaction time when you browse the web or work on a spreadsheet. And you do not even have to worry too much unless you’re playing those typical games where a competitive advantage matters.

It could be said, however, that a mouse with good precision can also be famous for graphic artists and designers. Let’s see what these specifications mean.

Fundamentals of modern mice

 

There was a time when PC mice contained a rubber ball that rolled (and picked up dirt) as it moved through a pad. The movement of the ball was picked up by mechanical rollers that translated the movement of the mouse into something that your computer could understand. Those days are over, and today we have optical mice and lasers.

Modern optical mice contain a light, usually red, and a small camera. As the mouse moves, the sun shines on the surface under the mouse, and the camera takes hundreds of pictures per second. The mouse compares the images and determines the direction in which the mouse moves. Next, the mouse sends this movement data to the computer, and it runs the cursor across the screen. Laser mice work similarly, but use infrared light instead of visible light.

What is DPI in a mouse

The dots per inch (DPI) are a measure of the sensitivity of a mouse. The higher the DPI of the mouse, the farther the screen cursor will move when you move the mouse. A mouse with a higher DPI setting senses and reacts to smaller movements.

DPI means “Dot Per Inch” (dot by an inch). In theory, if a mouse has 8000, then, if you move the mouse an inch (2.54 centimeters), the mouse cursor will move 8000 pixels.

A higher DPI is not always better since you do not want the mouse cursor to fly across the screen when you move it a bit. On the other hand, a higher setting helps the mouse detect and respond to smaller movements so you can aim things more accurately.

 

For example, let’s say you’re playing a first-person shooter (FPS). By zooming in with a sniper rifle and trying to aim accurately at small targets, a high DPI could be valuable by allowing you to seek gently with small mouse movements. When the game is typically played without a sniper rifle with zoom, this high setting could be too sensitive and imprecise, which is why many mice incorporate a Sniper button, such as the Corsair Core RGB SE

That is the reason why many mice for high-end games have buttons that can be pressed to change the sensor settings on the fly when playing.

The DPI is different from the typical mouse sensitivity setting. DPI refers to the hardware capabilities of a mouse, while sensitivity is just a software configuration.

For example, let’s say you have a very cheap mouse with a low DPI and you increase the sensitivity. If you try to aim at small targets, you will see the mouse cursor jump when you move it. In this case, the mouse hardware is not as sensitive, so it will not detect the smallest movements. The operating system will only act by moving the cursor further when it catches an action, so the change will not be so smooth.

A high DPI can also be combined with a low sensitivity setting so that the cursor will not slide across the screen when you move it, and the movement will remain smooth.

Also, high DPI mice are more useful if you have a higher resolution monitor. If you are playing on a low resolution 1366 × 768 screens, you will not need that high DPI. On the other hand, if you are playing on a 4K 3840 × 2160 monitor, a higher DPI will allow you to move the mouse cursor around the screen smoothly without having to drag it around the entire desktop.

DPI is a marketing strategy for the gaming mouse. The importance of DPI is a myth. In fact, if you are a professional player in first-person shooter games, it would be a good idea to use a lower DPI (for example, 800 or 1200), since a smaller DPI will give you more precision.

How to find out the DPI of a mouse?

There is no easy way to get the exact number unless you have specialized equipment that measures this specification, as used by mouse manufacturers. The only way to know is to see the specs declared by the manufacturer in the product box,  if you bring proprietary software also appears or on the same website of the company.

How to configure the DPI of the mouse?

For cheap mice that are not for games, you can not. However, you can use the settings for Windows mice to accelerate it. It has the same effect as a higher range for non-recreational purposes.

Many gamer mice have settings for the sensor. Some are fixed, for example, three default settings. Some game mice allow you to configure any DPI within a range, for example, from 400 to 12,000. Typically, they also allow you to set the buttons to increase/decrease or activate it at a specific time.

Does DPI matter in the mouse for games?

The short answer is no. Even the cheap mouse today has at least 1600 DPI, which is enough. A value higher than that makes it difficult to control the position of the cursor.

If you have a high pixel density screen, like the Mac Retina Display with 300 pixels per inch, then you probably want a higher DPI. Professional first-person shooter players often prefer a low value, as low as 800. In this way, they have exact control of movements.

Players who choose a low value use a huge mouse pad. The mouse pad is as full as a full-size keyboard. So they swing their entire arm to use the mouse with a low value.

The industry has been very thriving in establishing this number as very important, although it does not mean much.

The technology has progressed to a level where you can move the mouse, for example, 2.5 cm on your desktop. And the cursor will run 2 or 3 times the length of your screen. That sounds impressive for sure. But where is the real value in that?

That does not make you more precise, but it does the exact opposite. A higher DPI in a mouse does not offer much value. And it is not a benchmark for calculating the accuracy or quality of a mouse. It is merely a measure of sensitivity.

In what DPI should I configure my mouse?

It is advisable to try different configurations. Different mice have different DPI, and we also have different screen resolutions, operating systems, and games, which interpret mouse signals differently. All of the above affects the optimal sensor setting.

Also, all people have their habits of holding the mouse and different motor skills. Players have been debating about DPI since Microsoft popularized the optical mouse in the late 90s, as it has become a cult theme.

Physical specifications

It is usual to run into a physical button on the top (below the scroll), bottom or side of the mouse. Press or slide the switch to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse. The LCD screen of the mouse shows the DPI settings. Or a message appears on the monitor informing of the change. It is possible that the mouse has more than one specific button, although some mouse models have only one switch.

Optional DPI control

If the sensitivity of the mouse is what you want, leave the switch in peace and continue using the device. Like other controls, you can adjust the switch, as well as return it to its original configuration, as appropriate. Any change in the mouse DPI is effective immediately and does not require you to restart the computer.

Models of mice with DPI

Not all mouse models contain specific buttons to adjust the speed of the mouse. Including the models that come with computers from large stores and resellers of electronic products. DPI-enabled mouse models are available from a variety of manufacturers, including Corsair, Microsoft, CM Storm, Logitech, and Razer, among others. Note that you can not add a DPI button to a mouse that does not contain one (logical thing).

Adjustment through Windows

You can also adjust the mouse sensor settings through Windows, even if the mouse does not have a physical DPI switch.

Press the Win + X key in Windows 10, click on ” Control Panel.” Then Scroll to the ” Mouse ” option. A window will open. Go to the “Pointer Options” tab.

Once there, in the “Movement” section, choose “Slow” or “Fast.” Click on “Apply”. And then click on “Accept” to accept the configuration.