Mouse DPI value, which is important in the game world and is known to almost everyone who is interested in this field, may be a subject that beginners do not know. The fact that the mouse cursor moves slower or faster than you are used to is actually directly related to the DPI value. So, what is this DPI and how to set it?
You need to pay attention to the mouse DPI values in order to enjoy the game at the highest level and not fall behind your competitors while playing on the computer. In this situation, which is directly related to the reflection time of your movements and reflexes in the games, it is important to say that it is important to make adjustments as well as to buy a good mouse. Let’s take a look at what you need to pay attention to use the right settings for speed, competition and ultimately victory during the game.
What is Mouse DPI?
DPI stands for “Dots Per Inch”. Thanks to this value, which gives information about how sensitive your mouse is, you can understand the sensitivity during use. The higher the mouse DPI value, the more sensitive it is. For example; if your mouse is set to 800 DPI, the cursor will move 800 pixels for each short distance you move. When you increase the DPI value, the cursor will move faster. When you drop it, it will react more slowly.
Every brand and model of mouse has a DPI value. Some models allow you to edit the value with the press of a key or through a program. The DPI of a standard mouse is generally between 800-1600 DPI. Models with higher DPI have slightly higher prices.
How Mouse DPI Value Affects Gaming Experience?
If you are a standard computer user, mouse performances of 800 DPI or below should not be a problem for you. However, high DPI value is very important for gamers, graphic designers, those who need to perform overlapping and fast operations on large screens. Here, of course, the demands change according to the game played or the work done. For example; you don’t want high DPI when drawing. A lower DPI value makes more sense to control the cursor more comfortably.
In games, high-end gaming mouse models are preferred and most of them have values around 5000 DPI. It is more advantageous to use a low DPI setting in a situation that requires precision, such as aiming in an FPS game. However, in games that require high reflexes and instant response, models with low response time are required. Here, getting a mouse with a high DPI value alone does not mean you will get results. The size and resolution of your monitor is also very important. A display with a higher resolution has more pixels. This requires a higher DPI value. If you are using a high resolution and large screen, you can turn to mouse models that offer 10,000 DPI and higher values.
So, is high DPI always good? DPI range for standard users is around 400 – 800 DPI. This value can be reduced to 100 on the best models and increased to very high levels. However, it is best to adjust the value according to your usage area. Too high a DPI value can cause control-related issues. Even with a slight movement, you can move the cursor to one end of the screen. The usage area of the computer is also important for the DPI value. Low-sensitivity models require more room for movement on the screen, while higher DPI gives better results in less space. High DPI also requires precise wrist adjustments, so the choice should be made accordingly. High DPI is fine if you’re playing precision work or fast-paced games on monitors with high resolutions and refresh rates.
Learning DPI Value and Adjusting Mouse DPI
Browse the manufacturer’s page: You can browse the brand’s page for a mouse whose brand and model you know. You can find the value of the mouse on the specifications page.
Install drivers: If you are using a branded mouse, you can download its software from the web page. Thanks to the software, it allows to change the mouse DPI setting and update the function of all keys.
Use the DPI calculator (DPI analyzer): If these two methods did not work for you, you can use the DPI calculator. For this, it will be enough to download one of the specially written programs and follow the instructions.
For the basic DPI setting, you can follow these steps:
- Click the start button and then open Settings.
- Click on Devices on the page that appears and find and click Mouse.
- On the mouse page, open the “Additional mouse options” section under the relevant settings and go to the “Pointer Options” section.
- You can use the “Choose the speed of your pointer” section for the DPI setting. You can swipe left to decrease the DPI value and right to increase it.
