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The majority of PC games permit players to change the sensitivity of their mice. MOBA and strategy titles demand precise actions, and a high DPI would be a detriment to these genres. Low DPI means every pixel counts, giving players full control over the cursor at the cost of speed. That said, a high DPI can complement stuff like RPGs or MMOs where players wish to move their camera quickly. However, as previously mentioned, high DPI results in less accuracy, which can be a death sentence in precision-based first-person shooters. RELATED: Most Important Things To Consider When Buying A Gaming Mouse Benefits Of High DPI (>1000)Īs high DPI equals more rapid cursor movement, these levels are generally considered to be a good fit for twitch shooters and games that require quick reflexes. In fact, users with 1080p and 1440p do not need a mouse that supports more than 1600 DPI, and even that can be overkill. Like any other component of a gaming PC, compatibility between the monitor and mouse should be the deciding factor when selecting a DPI.Įven though some mice have a DPI that can reach 20000+, those numbers will be impractical for most people unless they happen to be using an 8K monitor. DPI Depends On The Monitor's ResolutionĪ 4K monitor has 4x the pixel count of a 1080p screen therefore, a mouse with a DPI of 1600 will seem much slower on the former than the latter. Do not hesitate to experiment to find the perfect setting. A large selection of gaming mice include a DPI button that cycles through different levels (typically starting from the lowest and ending on the highest), and some even allow this input to be customized through an app. Ultimately, DPI comes down to personal preference, and users are recommended to try out a mouse's full range to see which one works best for them. Players can use the mouse's app to set their preferred DPI. While exceptions exist, most gaming mice promote flexibility, allowing players to choose from a range of DPI.įor instance, the SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless has a DPI range (or CPI, which can be treated as the same thing in these cases) between 100 – 18000, split into increments of 100.
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Office mice typically come with a DPI of somewhere between 800-1600 however, gaming mice are different. RELATED: What Does DPI Mean For Gaming Mice? On paper, this might seem like nothing but a good thing, but this can result in lower accuracy.
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Therefore, a high DPI translates to faster on-screen movement or a more sensitive mouse. The higher the DPI, the more monitor real estate the cursor will cover. Basically, a mouse with 1300 DPI will move 1300 pixels per inch. "Dots Per Inch" determines the number of pixels a cursor will travel on the screen for every inch the mouse is dragged on the pad. Before progressing further, a brief explanation of DPI is necessary.
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