DPI is an abbreviation for “dots per inch” or “pixels per inch.” The DPI of the mouse determines how far the pointer goes per inch of mouse movement.
The mouse becomes less responsive as the DPI decreases. This implies that if you’re using a higher DPI mouse, even a small movement of your mouse will move the pointer a long distance across your screen.
DPI is not the same as the standard mouse sensitivity level. DPI relates to physical capabilities, whereas sensitivity is only a software option.
What’s The Difference?
Despite their close relationship, DPI and mouse sensitivity are not the same things. DPI relates to the capabilities of the real mouse, whereas sensitivity is a software parameter.
DPI refers to resolution, whereas sensitivity refers to how quickly the pointer travels. Higher DPI means the cursor has a smoother, more accurate feel, which is useful for pinpointing specific places.
Higher DPI mice have more increments for the LED or laser to read, resulting in a denser scan. Going too high in DPI, on the other hand, might have a negative impact on sensitivity for tasks that don’t require exact pinpointing.
Although a higher DPI is advantageous in some situations, it is not always preferable. While you want your mouse to move rapidly and correctly, you don’t want it to fly across the screen or out of sight.
By raising DPI rather than sensitivity, you may get quicker sensing without changing the angle at which each count advances your crosshair. Your sensitivity will remain quicker, but it will not become more jumpy/snappy.
Can I Adjust Both?
DPI
The most popular method for determining your mouse’s DPI is to examine the mouse manufacturer’s specs, which may be found in the manual or when you buy it.
On average, a worse quality mouse had approximately 800 DPI in the 2000s, while in the 2010s, they had around 1200 – 1600 DPI.
The techniques for adjusting your mouse’s DPI differ depending on the mouse; however, there are two common approaches.
One approach is to utilize a piece of software or a button on your gaming mouse dedicated to changing DPI settings.
Sensitivity
From your Windows desktop, you may easily change the sensitivity of your mouse. Adjusting your mouse sensitivity in Windows settings will apply to all your applications, apps, and games.
Search the computer for Mouse Settings by clicking the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen or by using the Windows key on your keyboard.
From here, you may adjust the speed of your mouse cursor to get the ideal sensitivity throughout all of your activities.
Even if you discover the ideal mouse sensitivity, many games have different mouse settings set by default.
While your mouse settings may be overly sensitive in one game, they may be insufficient in another.
Fortunately, most games allow you to adjust mouse precision and accuracy in-game using various sliders.
If the sensitivity of your mouse feels odd in a specific game, check the mouse settings in the menu.
