CPI - what is it on a mouse?

The diversity of the range of computer mice is obvious, as is the price difference between models with the most standard functions and more advanced and sophisticated devices. With regard to gaming computer mice, manufacturers are actively promoting the idea of ​​​​the need to purchase models with high sensitivity. Increasingly significant CPI indicators convince the potential buyer of their importance for quick response, speed, improved results and player skills. Of course, any user needs a mouse that is easy to use, equipped with the necessary functionality and that suits his needs. However, before making a choice, it is important to understand what these characteristics mean and their impact on the speed of movement and sensitivity of the mouse.

What is CPI on a mouse?

To begin with, it is important to distinguish between the definitions used by mouse manufacturers and users. The term "CPI", which is an abbreviation for "Counts per inch", is often mistakenly replaced with concepts such as:

• “DPI” (“Dot Per Inch”), which was originally used to determine image accuracy and is currently an incorrect option for characterizing optical mice;
• “mouse sensitivity,” which is usually understood as one of the items in the cursor settings. Thus, sensitivity is actually a modifier of the parameter in question.

Essentially, CPI measures the distance the cursor will travel when the mouse moves 1 inch (2.5 cm) across the table. So, if it is equal to 50, then the cursor on the screen will move 50 pixels. It follows from this that a higher value of this parameter indicates greater sensitivity of the sensor installed in the mouse.

Why do you need a CPI button on your mouse?

Most standard mouse models have a fixed sensitivity. The CPI parameter cannot be changed except through the control panel. The difference between bloody gaming mice and others is the presence of a special button for changing the resolution. Moreover, some gaming models have several such buttons.

With their help, the user can quickly change sensitivity, practically without being distracted from the process. For example, rapid changes in indicators may be required to achieve the most accurate aiming possible.

Why is a high CPI necessary?

The question naturally arises about the possibilities of using high CPI parameters and the need to purchase devices that provide them. The larger this value, the faster the mouse cursor moves on the screen. For ordinary users, the sensitivity of a mouse is perceived as the ratio of the length of the screen to the path it travels. At the same time, a high screen resolution requires greater accuracy from the sensor.

REFERENCE. The higher the CPI, the more comfortable the mouse will be to use on high-resolution screens.

So, if the monitor has a resolution of 2,000 pixels, then a low CPI value makes it inconvenient to move the mouse across the entire screen.In turn, if you have a monitor with a lower resolution and are accustomed to lower mouse sensitivity, a lower setting will be sufficient for the user.

How much CPI does a gaming mouse need?

There is no specific answer to this question; for each player, the most comfortable and appropriate indicator may be completely different.

REFERENCE. It is worth noting that high CPI parameters will certainly lead to a significant decrease in accuracy.

In strategies, a higher CPI value will be very useful, but in fast shooters, on the contrary, it may be superfluous. In situations where several pixels are of decisive importance, the player’s hand movement should be as precise as possible. Often, experienced players choose lower settings to achieve high shooting accuracy.

Today, some models of gaming mice have 8,000 CPI. At the same time, player reviews allow us to conclude that a value of 3000 is more than enough for most computer games.

This, however, does not mean that devices with higher parameters are the result of marketing tricks and are of no use to users. A high CPI value indicates a truly powerful device sensor.

The obvious advantage in this case is the ability to change the parameters, adjusting them to suit yourself, which almost all gaming mouse models can do. Alternatively, these changes can be made using the mouse software. When adjusting indicators programmatically, you need to understand that if the selected value is higher than the hardware capabilities of the sensor, this will lead to its incorrect operation and will negatively affect the accuracy and response speed of the sensor.If for the average user “jerks” when moving the cursor are acceptable and do not cause much discomfort, for the player these factors are of great importance.

To summarize, we can draw the following conclusion: the need for high/low indicators depends on the preferences of each individual player, however, when choosing a gaming mouse, you should focus on a CPI of 3000.