What role does DPI actually play in gaming? We from MeinMMO explain the basics around DPI settings and also give you tips on how to properly set up your mouse.
Almost every gaming mouse offers you the option to set the DPI value. But how do you set the DPI value correctly and what is it anyway? In our article, we explain to you:
- What does DPI mean?
- How much DPI do you need for gaming
- How you can set your DPI
- Tips and tricks on how to find your individual DPI values
We also explain to you how you can test your gaming mouse to find the best DPI values for yourself personally.
What does DPI mean?
What is DPI? The abbreviation stands for “dots per inch”. The more dots the mouse can capture in this section, the higher the value. The DPI value specifically indicates how many dots per inch my mouse can detect.
Specifically, this means: If you set your mouse to 800 DPI, then you move your mouse pointer 800 pixels for a movement of one inch (2.54 cm).
Why is DPI important? The pointer of your mouse is visually transferred to the screen. You do not move the pointer directly, but through movements of the mouse. The movements are then transmitted.
The higher the set DPI value is, the more sensitive and precise the tracking is. This also means that the sensor essentially receives data and can forward this data to the PC.
While cheap office mice often have a fixed DPI value, you get the option to adjust the DPI value to your needs with software or a button with more professional office and most gaming mice.
The best gaming mice you can currently buy can be found in our buying guide here on MeinMMO.
How much dpi for gaming – How much DPI is good?
What is better – more or less DPI? There are currently both players with high (high sens) and low (low sens) DPI settings. Often, one talks about the DPI setting, but the sensitivity setting in the game is also relevant.
Those who play with “low sens” have to move the mouse further than “high sens” players to cover the same distance on the screen. The higher the DPI value, the shorter distances you have to cover on your mousepad.
Simply put, with lower settings, you can hit more accurately, as wrong movements do not count as much.
With high DPI values, however, you can perform movements and turns faster, for example, if you are attacked from behind. However, you lose some precision when hitting.
How much DPI should you have? Here, no universally valid recommendation can be given, and this is due to several factors:
- On one hand, from the game you want to play.
- On the other hand, from the individual person sitting at the PC and wanting to play.
- If you work at a desk or surf the internet, a different DPI setting comes into play.
Here is our recommendation: Many modern gaming mice now also offer integrated memory that can save DPI values or various DPI levels. Here, we would recommend you to create profiles for your favorite games. For an RTS like Starcraft II, you need different DPI values than for a fast first-person shooter like Call of Duty: Warzone.
How much DPI for gaming? The majority of competitive gamers use a DPI setting between 400 and 800 DPI (via prosettings.net). Overall, there are hardly any professional players who use a higher DPI setting than 3200. In games like CS:GO, lower values are typically used, and instead, the sensitivity of the mouse pointer in-game is increased.
The best gaming mice for shooters can be found here on MeinMMO. Here you can also find the G Pro Wireless, which is one of the most popular gaming mice among eSports players.
Gaming mouse: finding and setting DPI
How do I set the DPI of my mouse? Basically, it depends on which gaming mouse you have. Depending on the manufacturer, it may differ how you can change the DPI value:
- Either you can use the software of the respective manufacturer.
- The mouse has a DPI button. With this, you can also change the value. Some manufacturers place the button on the underside of the mouse, such as with the Roccat Kone Pro, which MeinMMO tested.
If your mouse offers software, it is very easy to find and set your DPI setting.
Download the corresponding software suite, and within the software, you can make all the settings. You can find 6 important manufacturers and their software in an overview in the following gray box.
If there is no software for your mouse, but you can still change the DPI, then you need to take a look at your packaging or manual. You will normally find the different DPI values of your mouse there.
If your mouse offers, for example, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200, then the mouse pointer is slowest at 400 DPI.
Gaming mouse: testing DPI
Take your time to try out your gaming mouse and its settings. Use practice areas like in Overwatch, Apex Legends, or Call of Duty: Warzone before you jump into real matches or even competitive battles where every mouse click can be crucial.
We can give you some assistance with what can help you when testing:
Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Gaming mouse: testing DPI
- Search for test environment
Find a practice area or a map from the workshop in your favorite shooter.
- Test with fixed points
First test your setting on fixed points. These can be any points like a lamp post or
Find targets on the map and try to aim at or hit them quickly. - DPI test at fixed points
If you often glide past the target while aiming, the DPI value is too high. If you feel you have to move your hand too much, the DPI value is too low.
- Test with moving targets
In a second test, look for moving targets or move yourself. Moving targets like in Apex Legends or Overwatch are particularly good for this. Now, try to keep the moving target in the crosshairs the whole time. If it is a stationary target, move around it, jump, or turn.
- DPI test with moving targets
If you have trouble keeping the target in the crosshairs at a distance, then the DPI value is too high and you should lower it.
If you have difficulty keeping the target in the crosshairs at short distances (close combat), then the sensitivity is too low.
These settings should be considered for your gaming mouse
With your gaming mouse, you should pay attention to various settings. In addition to sensitivity (DPI), there are three things you should also consider:
- Polling Rate: The polling rate describes how often information is sent to your PC. Gamers should choose at least 500 or 1000 Hz here.
- Scroll Speed: If you have, for example, your weapon or ammunition selection on the mouse wheel, it is important to adjust this setting to your needs.
- Click Speed: With some mice, you can set the click speed. This matters if you need to click quickly in succession or how double clicks should be recognized by the system.
But there are also special gaming mice like a 300 Euro mouse that was featured in the cave of lions. It only offers two buttons and no mouse wheel or additional buttons.
What DPI setting do you prefer? Do you have different settings or do you use one setting for multiple games? Let us know in the comments.
