Let’s say you have a new mouse and you see it moving too fast or slow as compared to the earlier speed you’re used to. This is because your mouse specifications may be different than the previous one. One of the most essential mouse specifications is the dots per second, or DPI for short. Can the DPI affect your clicking speed or gaming performance? Let’s find out.
What is DPI?
DPI is a term used to describe your mouse sensitivity. The higher your mouse DPI, the more sensitive it will be. Dots per inch or DPI shows how much physical distance your mouse covers. To be more specific, it is the speed at which the cursor of the mouse moves in relation to the distance moved by the user.
Effects of DPI on Mouse Speed and Sensitivity
What we believe is that the sensitivity of the mouse and its DPI are closely linked. Most people say that if you raise the DPI, it also raises the mouse sensitivity. While the sensitivity is determined by the software of the system, the mouse’s hardware is responsible for handling the DPI. Since the sensitivity of the mouse is how fast it responds, a higher DPI requires less moving of the mouse and gives more coverage. Therefore, the mouse sensitivity and speed will be affected by the DPI.
Clicking Speed and DPI for Games
The DPI has a significant role when it comes to gaming performance which is why you’ll need to set the mouse DPI according to the game you’re playing. When you’re playing a fast, or shooter game, you’ll need smaller movements of the hand. Hence, in this case, a higher DPI will be suitable. With a higher DPI, you can quickly drag, shoot, and whip around which is a necessity in games that require speed or high resolution. However, a higher DPI isn’t always the best in gaming.
In some situations, a lower DPI may be better suited. If you’re playing real-strategy games, you need to make careful selections where a high DPI may not be as beneficial. Or in a first-person shooter game when you have a zoomed-in weapon. In this case, a low DPI will give more accuracy and space to make the right click.
Most gaming mice have a DPI of at least 5,000. Even so, you may be well off with just 1,500 too in some games.
DPI for Regular Tasks
For regular use, other than gaming, a DPI of 800 to 2000 would be more than enough. This is a good DPI in most cases to get all your work done. However, with games, you’ll need to get a little higher.
The Verdict
As we have seen above, the DPI of the mouse does have an essential part to play in your clicking speed and sensitivity. While a regular DPI works well for regular tasks, you’ll need a higher DPI when it comes to gaming. But then again, not all games. Some games are better played with a low DPI!