The Importance of DPI for Gamers

This question gets asked quite a bit, but before we can answer it we need a firm understanding of what DPI is. DPI (Dots Per Inch) is the measure of how many individual dots that fit within a single inch, CPI (Counts Per Inch) is the more accurate yet often ignored measurement when talking about computer mice.  So essentially, DPI means how many individual 'units' a mouse reports when it moves an inch - the higher the DPI, the faster the mouse pointer moves on the screen.

So what is the importance of DPI when it comes to gaming? First Person Shooters (FPS) are where DPI is most called into question, as the ability to aim quickly and accurately is paramount. Here is where DPI becomes a matter of personal preference. Using a mouse with a high DPI means that moving the mouse will result in more drastic movements within the game. By that I mean, moving your mouse one inch with a mouse set to 800 DPI may move your crosshair 30° in the game, however on a mouse set to 2000 DPI your crosshair might move a full 360°! 

It generally comes down to a question of what games you play, and your individual play-style. If you play extremely fast paced FPS games where aim isn't as important as reaction speed, a higher DPI will probably be better. Alternatively, if you play a game where precision (aim) is the difference between winning and losing, a lower DPI will afford you more control over the crosshair.

If you're unsure of what DPI you should be using, most gaming mice on the market allow for on-the-fly changing between DPI settings, meaning you don't even have to leave the game to adjust your DPI. Some good examples are the Logitech G9x or the Razer Lachesis.