Best DPI For Gaming: How To Use Your Mouse For Better Gaming
If you just got a new gaming mouse, you can’t just plug it in and expect a massive improvement in your in-game performance. There is a lot more to a gaming mouse. There are tons of features of a gaming mouse that you can tweak for optimal performance. The one feature that will create the most impact is the DPI of a mouse. Here we will be discussing everything there is to know about the best DPI for gaming and how you can optimize your gaming mouse for improvement in your in-game performance.
What Is DPI?
In simple terms, DPI, or dots per inch, is the number of pixels that the pointer will move on a screen for every inch a mouse moves on a mousepad or any other surface. Gaming mice are generally capable of providing high DPI values. However, a gaming mouse does not come with only one DPI. Users can set whatever DPI they want from a wide range of options. For example, with a gaming mouse with a maximum DPI of 4000, you can also select a DPI of 800 or 1600 if you want.
A DPI of 800 is quite normal for desktop use. Let's say that you selected a DPI of 800 using the mouse software. This means that the pointer or the crosshair on your screen will move a total of 800 dots or pixels if your mouse moves one inch on the surface.
If you choose a DPI that is way lower than 800, you will have trouble reaching certain icons located on the far corners of your screen. You will have to move your mouse a certain distance, pick it up, place it back on the starting location, and then move the mouse some more. If you choose a DPI that is way higher than 800, then the slightest movement of your mouse will move the crosshair way too far.
What Is Sensitivity?
As we have already discussed, the DPI of your mouse determines the number of dots or pixels that the crosshair will cover as your mouse moves one inch on the surface. However, this does not paint the full picture of the “distance” that the crosshair will move with the movement of your mouse. The distance that the crosshair will move on the screen along with the movement of your mouse is determined by the net sensitivity, usually called sensitivity for short.
The net sensitivity or sensitivity is a combination of the mouse sensitivity from windows, the in-game sensitivity, and the DPI. If all of the things mentioned above are set to lower values, then you will experience that the crosshair is not covering a lot of distance on your screen, even with a lot of movement of your mouse. If it's the other way around then even the slightest movement of your mouse will cause the crosshair to cover a lot of distance.
Let's say you are playing CSGO. Now let's assume that you have set the values for the DPI, sensitivity, and in-game sensitivity to high values. This will result in a large net sensitivity. If you try to move your mouse even the slightest to the right, you might make a full 360 rotation or at least a 180. On the other hand, if your net sensitivity is lower, then you will have to move your mouse a lot further to make a full 360 rotation.
What Sensitivity Do You Need For Gaming
When it comes to first-person shooters, the main thing that determines your success in a particular match is your ability to aim. If your aim is good, you will generally do well in first-person shooters.
For "aim" to be considered good in first-person shooters, it needs to be accurate and precise. Both accuracy and precision can be perfected by training and practice. However, low net sensitivity is generally better for precise aim.
To understand how low sensitivity is necessary for precision, let's take the example of a crane operator trying to move some load. The crane operator requires high amounts of precision and only needs to move the load a few inches. If the net sensitivity of the joystick is too high, then even the slightest movement of it will move the load by several feet or meters. If the sensitivity is low, then the crane operator will be able to move the joystick quite a lot and the load will only move a few inches or millimeters. This way, the movement of the load can be much more precise.
In the same way, if you want to have a precise aim, you need a lower sensitivity. However, there are a lot of professional players that play really well at the top level with high sensitivity. This is simply because they have adjusted to that sensitivity. Hence, if you are adjusted to high sensitivity, you don't have to constantly think that you are doing something wrong.
Concluding the discussion of what sensitivity is best for gaming, it really depends on the individual and the game. For MOBA games a high sensitivity is preferable. For FPS games a low sensitivity is preferable. However, you can only decide which sensitivity is best for you if you try different ones for yourself. Try a different sensitivity for a week or two and see if your in-game performance improves. If it does then you are certainly in the right direction. If it gets worse, then switch back to the original sensitivity or try out a different one.
What DPI Do You Need For Gaming
A common misconception that most gamers make is that the best DPI for gaming should be as low as possible. However, the best DPI for gaming is not necessarily as low as possible. This stems from the belief that the net sensitivity while playing a game must be as low as possible for first-person shooters. While it is true for most cases, there is no need to lower your DPI to achieve a low sensitivity. You can lower the in-game sensitivity despite having a high DPI and get a low enough net sensitivity for precise and accurate aiming.
It is also recommended that gamers should set their mouse DPI to as high values as possible to avoid frame skipping. Frame skipping can lead to choppy and jittery motion of the crosshair. While this may not be evident in fast-paced aiming, it is clearly visible in precise sniping.
So what is the best DPI for gaming? It all boils down to the sensitivity that a gamer is comfortable with. While the best DPI for gaming is always near really high values, if you like to have low net sensitivity but can not lower the in-game sensitivity any further, you can lower the DPI by a slight amount to achieve your desired sensitivity.
How To Change DPI?
If you want to change the DPI, the first thing that you will need to do is download the customization software for your gaming mouse. There are different software for different manufacturers, and you can easily find one for your mouse by going on the manufacturer's website.
Once the download is complete and you have installed the software, you can launch it. Nearly all software have a similar UI and it is not that hard to navigate through them. Make your way into the DPI section and select the DPI that you want. Some gaming mice have separate buttons that you can press to increase or decrease the DPI while being in the middle of a game. This is really helpful if you want to try our different sensitivities. You can set the DPI that you want for each increment as well.
How To Change Sensitivity?
To change the sensitivity, you can change one of the three things that make up the net sensitivity. Firstly there is the DPI, increasing which will increase or decrease the net sensitivity. Next, there is the windows sensitivity, which we do not recommend changing as it is not easy to remember what value you were using if you re-install a fresh window or hop on another computer. Lastly, there is the in-game sensitivity.
We have already explained how you can change the DPI of your mouse. To change the in-game sensitivity, the first thing that you have to do is launch the game and go into the in-game settings. Now you can make your way to the sensitivity section, which is different for all games but can easily be found, and set the sensitivity to whatever option that you want. Make sure that the DPI has been set to a high value before you change the sensitivity.
Now you have all the tools that you need to optimize the DPI and sensitivity of your mouse for a massive improvement in your in-game performance. After you make changes in either the sensitivity or the DPI, make sure to test them out for a week or two before deciding if it is the best for you.
