The DPI Mouse Trap – What Is Dpi?

So you’re looking for the best gaming mouse out there, right?

It’s time to upgrade your equipment or maybe you’re buying for the first time—either way you need to know what to get.

Computers have changed and evolved a lot over the decades and so has the mouse. The humble mouse that used to work using a little rubber ball now relies on laser microsensors.

It seems impossible to find a mouse these days without laser sensors and complicated numbers that don’t make sense to the average person.  As long as it does what it’s supposed to, that’s fine, right?

For simple, everyday tasks, sure. But you’re probably looking to use your mouse for something a little more complex, and there is a lot more to consider.

If you’ve already been looking/shopping around, you have noticed the term DPI thrown around quite a lot. Initially, it would appear that if you want a nice gaming mouse you’re going to need something top of the line if you want a great gaming mouse.

But since you’re here, you are probably wondering what DPI is, what a mouse with a high DPI will cost you, and if you really, absolutely need it.

Worry not—there is no need to spend the big bucks on a gaming mouse with uncertainty still looming over you.

So…What Does DPI Even Mean?

DPI stands for “dots per inch”. That is, how many pixels your cursor will travel across the screen when you move the mouse, and at what speed.

The higher the DPI, the more sensitive the mouse is. With a high DPI, it won’t take much movement from your cursor to go from one end of the screen to the other.

It is something that’s been attached to every mouse since the beginning, but now more than ever, it is more important to understand this number if you’re using a computer for more than just checking your e-mail.

Getting into specific numbers, the average computer mouse will have around 1600 DPI, and the average gaming mouse will come at 4000 or more.

To get a better picture of that difference, consider that a computer mouse from the year 2000 would have somewhere around 800 DPI—two times less than what is generally available these days.

So, you can imagine that huge difference between 1600 and 4000!

But Does a Higher DPI = Better?

It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the bigger the DPI is, the better the mouse must be but it’s not so simple.

A higher DPI can be best explained as a double-edged sword. Even some professional gamers advise against it—citing it as being unnecessary and even problematic.

At the same time, others will insist that it’s an invaluable asset for gamers.

Let’s discuss the negative claims:

  • People claim that a gaming mouse with a high DPI is not necessary and be counterproductive due to the extreme sensitivity. If you’re in a first-person shooter game, one small nudge and your cursor can go flying across the screen just as you were about to make your shot!
  • A lower DPI mouse is more dependable for accuracy and stability.
  • There has been some buzz about how a higher DPI mouse is just a ploy for companies to make money off of people who don’t know what they’re doing.

Now let’s take a look at some of the reasons why a higher DPI mouse might be essential:

  • If you have a newer computer and the latest equipment, a high DPI gaming mouse might be a necessity. If the DPI is too low on an HD screen, the cursor will lag and jump around on you.
  • The higher the resolution of the screen, the more pixels it has, thus the need for a high DPI mouse.
  • If you have a large screen, you will want a higher DPI mouse. The bigger the screen, the more movement it requires. With a high DPI mouse, you won’t be swinging your arm all across your desk.It’s not really about whether or not a high DPI mouse is good. It is about whether or not it is good for you and your equipment. 

There is a way to decide what you need and what will work for you.

What You Need to Consider

The first thing you need to consider is definitely the most important. Typically, a gaming mouse with a high DPI runs anywhere between $14 – $75.

The difference in prices depends on the DPI itself and the brand of the mouse. No need to dig too deep into your pockets for one of these!

There are also some models that allow you to adjust the DPI on your mouse! Pretty sweet function.

However, some are fixed and give you few options to choose from. Those that will probably be more beneficial are the ones that let you adjust the DPI as needed.

You can even assign several different DPI to buttons directly on your mouse so that as you play, you can slow down or speed up the DPI as needed.

With options like that, you can easily experiment with different DPIs and find one that works best for you.

And that perfect number can change depending on the game you’re playing or even what kind of computer you are on.

If you are using an older computer with a moderate or average sized screen, then there’s no real need to go out and buy a 4000 DPI gaming mouse.

If you have a new computer or have plans to upgrade, then a high DPI mouse might be just what you need!