Gaming mice - do they really make any difference?
- Thread starter NeilF
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As others have said, DPI is useless. I run my 5600 dpi mouse at 1600 dpi because any more than 2000 is just ridiculous and too fast.
Macro buttons however are fantastic, I only just started using the macros on mine for GW2 and can't believe I never tried using them before.
I have a Gigabyte M8000x, terribly underated mouse, it costs around £40 and has everything that a £70 Logitech or razer mouse has, though I would have preferred a bags they cost to much, and I have 4 extra buttons on my gigabyte with macro controll plus 5 profiles which is more than enough.
Macro buttons however are fantastic, I only just started using the macros on mine for GW2 and can't believe I never tried using them before.
I have a Gigabyte M8000x, terribly underated mouse, it costs around £40 and has everything that a £70 Logitech or razer mouse has, though I would have preferred a bags they cost to much, and I have 4 extra buttons on my gigabyte with macro controll plus 5 profiles which is more than enough.
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I've had a Deathadder for a bit over a year now, and the cable's fine - however recently the mousewheel button (don't know the correct term, but I mean pressing the wheel) doesn't always register. Other than that it seems solid so far.
DPI is useless, but the general feel and smoothness of a proper mouse is unmatched. I have a Razer Deathadder. I run it on fairly low DPI but it is incredibly smooth and accurate. I wouldn't want to game without it.
Incidentally, it was a significant improvement over the ancient MX518 I had before, so I guess the quality of the sensor is the main thing.
Incidentally, it was a significant improvement over the ancient MX518 I had before, so I guess the quality of the sensor is the main thing.
In fairness to the deathadder, my experience was 3, maybe 4 years ago. I believe I am right in saying that the current "Respawn" is slightly different/improved from the original that I owned.
Thinking back, my other issue with it was it's tendency to 'skip' if I ever moved it incredibly fast. I seem to remember reading that this only happened if you used a very low sens. I might be making that up though
Anyway, yes, if you have one that works perfectly, it's an excellent mouse!
Thinking back, my other issue with it was it's tendency to 'skip' if I ever moved it incredibly fast. I seem to remember reading that this only happened if you used a very low sens. I might be making that up though
Anyway, yes, if you have one that works perfectly, it's an excellent mouse!
A gaming mouse allows you to use a much lower sensitivity in FPSs. More specifically, the mouse tracks better at high speeds and accelerations.
Lower sensitivity is better because it forces you to use your arm more.
I'm currently using a 60-70cm distance for a full 360 degree turn in some games.
Lower sensitivity is better because it forces you to use your arm more.
I'm currently using a 60-70cm distance for a full 360 degree turn in some games.
WMO 1.1a w/ 250+Hz polling is still the best gaming mouse by far unless your running at a resolution where the dpi isn't good enough or need extra buttons on your mouse. Need to find a replacement for when my last one dies as they are getting hard to source.
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the main thing for me is comfort. I use a G9x and it fits my hand perfectly. The buttons are in the ideal places and feel awesome to press. In addition, it has a nice braided cable, has a good driver program, and is highly responsive and accurate.
Cheaper mice are perfectly useable, and many progamers do fine with such mice, but more expensive ones do make a difference. It'll depend on personal preference whether the difference is notceable/major/minor or worth the money.
I had a RAT9 (pretty much the most expensive mouse available) and hated it. Replaced it with the G9x which was less than half the price and am loving it. There's a big element of subjectivity.
Cheaper mice are perfectly useable, and many progamers do fine with such mice, but more expensive ones do make a difference. It'll depend on personal preference whether the difference is notceable/major/minor or worth the money.
I had a RAT9 (pretty much the most expensive mouse available) and hated it. Replaced it with the G9x which was less than half the price and am loving it. There's a big element of subjectivity.
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I bought my first DA in 07, and another to replace it after losing it when moving a few years ago.
After finding the first again, they're both in constant use and neither have skipped a beat.
Gaming mice certainly aren't a gimmick although the ever increasing DPI race is. At low sensitivity you've got far more control, and the extra buttons and macro functions can be a godsend for some games.
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high DPI mice are great for allowing you to disregard the Windows mouse sensitivity setting. For years with previous mice, I increased my Windows mouse sens by two notches, but this is actually a really bad thing - the windows mouse sens scale basically acts like Digital Zoom, whereas Mouse DPI acts like Optical Zoom. Check out point 1.2 here (I've seen it better explained elsewhere but can't find the link):
http://www.cybergamer.org/forums/th...ion-Guide:-Acceleration-Fix-and-Polling-Rate/
Don't increase your mouse sens in Windows settings, keep it at default and use a higher DPI on your mouse.
http://www.cybergamer.org/forums/th...ion-Guide:-Acceleration-Fix-and-Polling-Rate/
Don't increase your mouse sens in Windows settings, keep it at default and use a higher DPI on your mouse.
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Yes it's the difference between being bottom of the scoreboard or not.
My 2c:
- laser is better than optical because it more accurately tracks the surface under the mouse, always get laser and pair it with a good surface (e.g. razer goliathus)
- DPI does help, but you don't need as much as some mice offer. e.g. my Mamba can do 5600 I think, but I run it at 2500 and most people struggle to control that. to clarify, this means you can get the same movement on the screen with a smaller movement of the mouse, because the mouse can detect smaller movements based on its DPI. So more DPI isn't necessarily better, it lets you customise the DPI to allow you smaller movements which is completely personal preference. However, in terms of time - you can do a smaller movement much quicker than you can do a larger movement - so really you should turn the DPI up a bit and move from the wrist.
- comfort is important, usually you get a better shape from a gaming mouse than you would from a cheapo standard mouse. That's especially important if you're clutching it for long periods of time, which as a gamer you are.
- buttons are personal preference. I like to have a thumb button for voice comms and then just standard buttons. changing DPI on the fly has never been something I've needed.
- wireless is god awful, even on the Mamba - ALWAYS game on a wired mouse over USB. Gaming mice do/should come with software which lets you overclock your USB bus. You should make use of this - the difference is huge. You can go up to 1000hz, but I find 500hz to be just fine. This is the time it takes between when you start moving the mouse and when the computer realises you've started moving it -
1000hz = 1ms, 500hz = 2ms, USB = 125hz = 8ms, PS2 = 80hz = 12.5ms
My 2c:
- laser is better than optical because it more accurately tracks the surface under the mouse, always get laser and pair it with a good surface (e.g. razer goliathus)
- DPI does help, but you don't need as much as some mice offer. e.g. my Mamba can do 5600 I think, but I run it at 2500 and most people struggle to control that. to clarify, this means you can get the same movement on the screen with a smaller movement of the mouse, because the mouse can detect smaller movements based on its DPI. So more DPI isn't necessarily better, it lets you customise the DPI to allow you smaller movements which is completely personal preference. However, in terms of time - you can do a smaller movement much quicker than you can do a larger movement - so really you should turn the DPI up a bit and move from the wrist.
- comfort is important, usually you get a better shape from a gaming mouse than you would from a cheapo standard mouse. That's especially important if you're clutching it for long periods of time, which as a gamer you are.
- buttons are personal preference. I like to have a thumb button for voice comms and then just standard buttons. changing DPI on the fly has never been something I've needed.
- wireless is god awful, even on the Mamba - ALWAYS game on a wired mouse over USB. Gaming mice do/should come with software which lets you overclock your USB bus. You should make use of this - the difference is huge. You can go up to 1000hz, but I find 500hz to be just fine. This is the time it takes between when you start moving the mouse and when the computer realises you've started moving it -
1000hz = 1ms, 500hz = 2ms, USB = 125hz = 8ms, PS2 = 80hz = 12.5ms
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Another vote for optical mice here. However, there are exceptions.
Generally the qualities you want to look for are:
- No mouse acceleration
- 1000 Hz "out the box"
- Little to no prediction if possible
The G400 would be a good bet as a starter. I have high hopes for the Zowie EC Evo mice though. They are basically the MX518 with an improved lens to reduce lift off distance, and they have virtually no prediction so I'm told.
Generally the qualities you want to look for are:
- No mouse acceleration
- 1000 Hz "out the box"
- Little to no prediction if possible
The G400 would be a good bet as a starter. I have high hopes for the Zowie EC Evo mice though. They are basically the MX518 with an improved lens to reduce lift off distance, and they have virtually no prediction so I'm told.
http://www.overclock.net/t/951894/the-truthful-mouse-guide
It's not worth my time to copy and paste the crucial info. It's all relevant anyway.
Long story short, I use my trustful MX518 forced to work at 500 Hz and with three custom DPI presets to suit my style in different games/scenarios, all calculated for mouse movement/turn.
IMO Logitech and Razer mice excel in gaming but there are some models from other brands that are up there with the best. I prefer Logitech for the shape, build quality and their superb customer service.
It's not worth my time to copy and paste the crucial info. It's all relevant anyway.
Long story short, I use my trustful MX518 forced to work at 500 Hz and with three custom DPI presets to suit my style in different games/scenarios, all calculated for mouse movement/turn.
IMO Logitech and Razer mice excel in gaming but there are some models from other brands that are up there with the best. I prefer Logitech for the shape, build quality and their superb customer service.
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