Is a Gaming Mouse Necessary?

I was playing Just Cause 2 and it was hard to get head shots because I need precision mouse input. But do I need 400 dpi or 6000 dpi? - I don't know! If a higher 6000 dpi moves the mouse cursor more per inch than 400 dpi then maybe I just need 400 dpi?

Anyone have a gaming mouse and what are your experiences with it? Is higher or lower dpi better?

 

I have a very cheap mouse and got some head shots on that game. I believe is a matter of practice. Recently bought one Xbox360 gamepad and I'm still trying to get use to it. Is very comfortable, but needs practice

 

I'm going to re-post something I wrote up a few months ago for another thread on pretty much this exact topic. Long story short, yes, you do want good DPI, although unless you play at really high sensitivity, 2,000 or so is probably more than enough for you.

Ideally, you're supposed to keep the Windows sensitivity at the default 6th notch out of the 11 in the cursor speed bar, and adjust DPI and game settings accordingly.

The way Windows works with mouse sensitivity, that 6th/11 notch gives you 1:1 tracking, and using a higher or lower sensitivity basically applies a multiplier to your mouse's "natural" sensitivity. For example, at 3/11 bars, you have a 0.25x multiplier, meaning your cursor only responds once every 4 points of movement. Naturally, 6/11 notch sensitivity with high DPI yields crazy mouse speed, so you'll probably want to use a lower DPI for the Windows desktop. I'm personally comfortable at 1,800 DPI, and I prefer 800 with my large mouse pad.

Frankly, DPI in mice these days is highly overrated; you can calculate the minimum necessary DPI to be able to turn one pixel at a time at a given sensitivity. For example, with a 9-inch 360 (medium-low sensitivity), the minimum useful DPI to be able to aim to an accuracy of one pixel is about 580 DPI. Any less than this, and you'll end up skipping pixels because the mouse doesn't have enough data to send to provide pixel-precise movement at such a sensitivity.

While you may get the exact same sensitivity in inches per 360 degree turn with a high DPI/low sensitivity and low DPI/high sens configuration, the former will be more accurate, because the latter will likely have DPI lower than the minimum necessary for single-pixel precision.

This means that high-sensitivity players benefit more from higher-DPI mice than low-sensitivity players. However, the DPI of most mice these days are still way more than enough for even high-sensitivity players. Take a 3-inch 360 for example; by just about any standards that's pretty high sensitivity. The minimum useful DPI to be able to maintain single-pixel precision is around 1,800. Significantly higher than that of a low-sensitivity player, but still within the scope of just about any gaming-grade mouse these days; even the original 2007 DeathAdder had 1,800 DPI, as does the old-but-good Logitech MX518.

Now let's take it to extremes: a one-inch 360 degree turn. That's pretty insanely high sensitivity; just about uselessly high, actually. A brief flick of the wrist can rotate you around several times. The minimum DPI for such a ridiculous sensitivity is around 5,400, which exceeds the capability of all but the highest-end gaming mice like the Logitech G500 and G700 (5,700 DPI) and the Razer Mamba, Naga, Lachesis and Imperator (5,600 DPI).

So, higher DPI has its uses, although primarily for high-sensitivity gamers, and even low-mid grade gaming mice usually have more DPI than you'll ever need.

tl;dr - the ideal combination is 6/11 Windows mouse cursor speed setting, low DPI on your desktop to your own preference for cursor speed. As for your in-game DPI setting, as long as it exceeds the minimum DPI for your desired sensitivity, you're set, and you can adjust the in-game sensitivity setting to compensate. If you're a medium to low sensitivity gamer, you can use the same relatively low DPI that you use for your desktop for your gaming, as it will still exceed the minimum DPI for maximum precision.

As for polling (or report) rate, that's basically how often the mouse sends data via USB to your computer. Your average mouse does this 125 times per second (125Hz), which yields 8/1000's of a second (8ms) per poll. This means the mouse takes 8ms to respond. Gaming-grade mice are typically capable of 1,000Hz polling, meaning each poll takes only 1ms. Basically, you should always use the highest polling rate your mouse is capable of to minimize input lag. This does have a higher toll on your CPU, but the effect is negligible.

This is an excellent link with some handy tools for calculating your sensitivity in inches (or centimeters) per 360-degree rotation, and your minimum useful DPI for a given sensitivity. The "in-game sensitivity" entry is based on the sensitivity scale for games based on id Tech 3 and its derivatives, including Source. So your sensitivity in Counter-Strike or TF2 or any CoD game will work.

worthless information about your worthless mouse

One last protip: Source engine games (TF2, CS:S, L4D/L4D2) have an option for "raw input" in the mouse settings, which I highly recommend checking. This basically allows the game to read input data directly from your mouse rather than filtering it through Window's settings.

Oh, and whatever you do, make sure mouse acceleration is disabled!

Sorry for the wall of text, but I hope you all find this useful.

 

Good read!

 

Only if it has more buttons than your current mouse.

 

I think it's just important to find something that is comfortable. I got a free MX518 gaming mouse when I bought my first Asus G Series notebook. I've been using it ever since. When it broke, I just bought anothe MX518, I didn't care what new mouse was out etc, I just wanted what I was comfortable with.

When this one breaks, I'll probably just buy the same one again or whatever is most similar.

 

I have a logitech M305, a 25 dollar mouse I got at target. i find it perfectly capable of precision and it fits comfortably in my hand. I guess I could benefit a little from a gaming mouse, maybe more buttons, but I find mine perfectly fine.

 

Yes...

10 char

 

For MMOs, I decided to give the Razer Naga a try. Now I'm never going back to a mouse with less buttons.

 

i dont notice any positive effect on my Logitech G500 going from 800 to 5000 DPI. All 5000 DPI does is making the mouse way to fast so u cant aim anything.

For CS i keep the ingame sense at like 0.3 and DPI at 800 anything above that and the mouse flies everywhere and makes it impossible to aim so i think lower DPI is better. I never go above 1000 in any game, evwn with mouse sense at minimum anything above 1000 makes the mouse way to fast and inaccurate

 

Maybe what's best is to set the mouse at high dpi settings and then set the mouse pointer speed to the slowest setting...

Change mouse settings

Right now I game and use on all of my computers a $10 1600 dpi mouse that's only 2 buttons + a scroll wheel.

 

the advantages of gaming mouse is when it is properly meant for something like RTS, when you can assign other buttons that you usually do in the keyboard. but im not a fan of RTS games so that is as far as i know.

in the fps department, here. when you can make a quick switch from a normal sensitivity to lower sens when you switch weapons to sniper, and back to high sens when you switch on heavy weapons.

but again, a year before, i was not using a gaming mouse and i was using the ordinary generic but durable mouse and it only has the basin left/right/scroll buttons and my hand is used to it.

another thing to consider is how big your hand is, and how comfortable your grip (or claw) to your mouse when you use it.

 

Logitech G700 FTW

 

I have the microsoft sidewinder mouse, and it is so helpful to have two extra buttons on the side...it makes games a lot easier in terms of control

 

The extra configurable buttons are necessary specially for mmos / rts.
for FPS games accuracy is needed more, it also depends if you're more comfortable playing with slow mouse speed or fast.
also another factor is on the fly dpi switching, so you could still get fast speeds once you start using that sniper rifle scope .

 

I think the extra buttons help ALOT on fpses

I have two very easy buttons on the side, one that I use to sprint and the other for melee attacks, and its so much easier than relying on the keyboard for those functions

 

the g700 is really, really good.

 

heh you're right, forgot i bind my jump and sprint on my side buttons as well for fps game.

 

I need at least 5 buttons. (Left Click, Right Click, Scroll wheel button, And two buttons for my thumb)

 

amen. I don't get the dpi stuff lol but I do love the fact that you can adjust it on the fly and set multiple profiles, really useful that you can set keyboard keys to buttons as well

 

I currently use a Logitech MX518, the little brother of the good old G5, and the only gamers I have met thus far at university, all have this mouse. In the UK it was around £20-25 with good reviews and good value for money it was a no brainer, they are getting a bit old now and no doubt Logitech have something new out, but I can't complain one bit. Extra buttons are a must for general use.. I don't know what I'd do without on-the-fly sesnitivity adjustment, such as for tanks in Battlefield 3, increase the turret speed to turn whilst being able to reduce it again for accuracy. I can't go back to a conventional mouse, even the electronics department in university have mice with side-buttons now!

 

I bought one of these cheap ebay gaming mouses for my laptop to throw around with it, i really like it though. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I hotglued some coins to it to add some weight and now it feels really good, alot better than my very old logitech lx7

 

For me, I set in game sensitivity at a minimum, windows sensitivity at 6 with acceleration off, and adjust the mouse's sensitivity to taste.

This is somewhat inaccurate. Polling every 8ms means that on average it will take 4ms for any acceleration of the mouse to be accounted for. Also there more to input and overall lag than just polling rate. You want to reduce lag as much as you can, and having a higher polling rate helps this.

First there is what happens in the game. Then there is what the monitor displays, which is delayed Xms (turn all displays to "game" mode and maximize your FPS to minimize this lag). After that you have your reaction time, the time between when something is displayed and when you move you hands and fingers. Then there is the time between when you move your hands and fingers and it is reflected in the game, which is a bit higher than the average lag due to the polling rate.

There are programs, some of which are online, which can measure one complete cycle.

 

today at woot they have the Razer TRON at a very good price!

 

if you're spending more than 20 pounds on a mouse you are wasting your money.

 

How is this true?

 

more comfortable for your hand + more speed + more accuracy + $40 = win win

 

Did you even read my explanation? It's a bit long-winded, but well worth taking a few minutes of your life to educate yourself.

 

Interesting write up! I started off with cheap mice, then a few years ago upgraded to a very nice Logitech G series wireless mouse. Really really liked it, great feel, kinda annoying how I had to keep swapping out the rechargeable internal li-ion batteries. It then unfortunately died on me. I bought a stop gap $12 Logitech mouse, and haven't replaced it in over 6 month's of use now. Can't really see any fault with it.

I game, BF3 and others, and I find I do ok. I'm not a L77t gamer, but I get headshots when I want them etc.

I'm trying to toss up buying a Logitech G700 at the moment, but can't bring myself to spend the $100AU on one. Not because I can't afford it, but because I can't really see the point?

 

I got one for $50 in the USA pretty recently. Hunt for a deal.

 

You don't want your aiming to be like there is some sort of a "grid" on your screen. The pointer, or cursor, should precisely move from one pixel to the next, even with very fast hand movements.

If your mouse is low DPI and you play with high sensitivity, and you try to make oval-like movements, the cursor's movements will be all jaggedly and ugly looking because it is skipping pixels. If you do it with a decent-dpi mouse (1600+), however, it will be a lot smoother and you can actually picture the cursor make nice circles on screen.

This is a horrible problem with Borderlands. With low DPI and high in-game sensitivity, you will see your aiming skip a bunch of pixels, even with VERY slow mouse movements. Thats mostly Borderland's fault, but it is a good example of the worst that can happen.

Owning a gaming mouse is not a "shortcut" to playing better. It will improve your aiming, but not by a lot. It will mostly help if you use high sensitivity. You won't like going back to a cheap mouse, though... THAT I know for a fact. The only shortcuts you can count on are fixing mistakes on your part, such as having mouse smoothing on or sitting in a uncomfortable position.

If you are a really good, competitive player, using a cheap mouse is like setting a limit to your abilities, just like playing under 60fps or on a terrible, small mouse surface.

The extra buttons, comfort and flashy lights are cool btw

 

I don't live in the US, located in Australia. Did you buy yours off Ebay?

 

A gaming mouse isn't "necessary", it's just a nice thing to have. Getting one won't make you significantly better though, being good is 95% skill and experience.

 

I follow the argument that a "gaming" mouse with high DPI always helped me in FPS games. I've played with every type of mouse I could imagine playing with and I've found that each new mouse I get - I game better with and like more. I know my last mouse was a Razer Sidewinder? (not sure, it was blue) and my new one for almost half a year is my G500 and I love it. I do agree that it is mainly skill but there's a large difference in what hardware you use and how well/quickly you are able to use it.

 

amazon.com

try eBay possibly. see if you can find a new one.

refurbs are going for 60, new for 75 on eBay

 

If you are competitive then yes it's needed, I have a sidewinder X8 does the job for me.