The computer mouse tends to be ignored when buying yourself a new system for gaming. It is usually an afterthought that is not planned for in the budget. You end up picking something that can be had for the money left over after you have spent everything on your gaming machine. Well, we are here to convince you otherwise. Gaming peripherals are an integral part of the experience and none is more important than the humble mouse.
Gaming variants of mice have extra features that make your gaming that much more enjoyable. They might not make you a better gamer but they will definitely remove the barriers to being one. Let us take a look at all the ways a gaming mouse can be beneficial to your gaming setup.
Do Gaming Mice Make a Difference?
Gaming mice are definitely a noticeable upgrade for your gaming setup. If you are considering playing ranked then you definitely need that extra edge for the best possible chance of getting those kills. It won’t necessarily make you the best gamer but it will be one less thing to blame for missing those critical shots. If you are coming from a regular mouse, you will instantly feel the responsiveness especially if you couple the mouse with a high refresh rate monitor and decent PC hardware. It is important to keep in mind that you will need that extra oomph in your other hardware to truly appreciate and feel the fluidity that a gaming mouse can bring. The extra features like buttons for macros can also help with your productivity in other software. Since they are made for long gaming sessions, your regular use should also receive an upgrade. There are a lot of benefits of getting a gaming mouse and you will definitely notice them!
What Makes a Mouse Good for Gaming?
High DPI
This is the defining feature of a gaming mouse. This is the reason that gamers spend extra money on getting a gaming mouse. A high DPI means that the mouse laser polls the position of the mouse at a higher rate than regular mice. This means even the slightest movements are registered by the hardware. This is essential in games where the action is fast and pixel perfect accuracy is desired.
Low Input Lag
This is also a feature that dictates how responsive and smooth a mouse feels. The lower the input lag, the lesser the time between actually moving the mouse on the surface and getting the response on screen. For a medium that requires fast reflexes from its players, this is a very important feature to have. This low input lag is achieved by hardware that reduces the processing of input and focuses primarily on speed of execution.
Ergonomic Design
For long gaming periods, it is very important to have a mouse that fits and feels well in the hand. The mouse shape should be contoured to match the curves of the hands so that it is comfortable to hold. There are mice with adjustable weights that allow the player to set it to as heavy or as light they want it. All these factors make the mouse easy to use for a wide variety of player types.
Adjustable DPI Settings
This is usually implemented in a button on the side where you can adjust the DPI of the mouse according to preset software values. These are essential when different weapons or commands on screen demand different mouse sensitivity. This is a feature that is mostly used by pros who know what they are doing when they have to switch between different play styles.
Macro Buttons
These are extra buttons that can be mapped to macros in software to execute tasks in game. They can be mapped to functionality that would usually take multiple clicks or would be inconvenient to carry out on the keyboard. Players of strategy and management games swear by these keys because they offer a chance to quickly carry out complex tasks with just one click.
Aesthetic
The aesthetic of the mouse is not too important for functionality but unless you want to get laughed at, at the LAN party, get yourself a good looking mouse that has that gaming aesthetic look to it. Not to mention that using one will make you feel like a pro gamer out to prove your worth.
How Much are Gaming Mice?
Gaming mice are definitely more expensive than others with the same general feature set. You can find a wireless mouse for under $10 but the same wireless functionality with high DPI is going to cost you at least $25 on the low end. These are numbers for the cheaper no name brands. For something like a Logitech or Razer mouse, you are definitely going to pay at least twice as much for the same features. You do get a measure of reliability and warranty with the branded ones though. There are even fancy vain features like RGB that might pique your interest. You can even find mice tailored to particular game genres like MMOs which have a whole array of buttons(around 20) for all your complicated macros. If you want to go for something muted and classic, you can find those designs too. The choices are endless and are available at every budget.
Yes, Gaming Mice are Worth It
Gaming mice are a nice-to-have for most gamers but essential for those who plan to test their skills online or against other opponents. It gives you an edge that you don’t want to miss out on. There are also tonnes of quality of life features that gaming mice come with that improve on your ergonomic experience and overall productivity. If you use a gaming mouse once then you will find it hard pressed to go back to using regular mice. Once you get spoiled, there is really no going back. We highly recommend the upgrade if you are getting a new system or even if you just want a smoother experience.
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