Gaming Computer Mice

Gaming mice offer unique benefits for gamers, including high levels of responsiveness and precision. They come in a variety of configurations; some have multiple programmable buttons for improved macro use, while others excel with smooth ergonomics and high-end design. Choose a gaming mouse that suits your play style and preferences. Companies such as Razer, Steelseries and EVGA offer options for a range of users, as do many other brands.

A Precise Gaming Mouse Improves Your Stats
Whether you're playing first-person shooters or competing with others in MMORPGs, a precision mouse is a must. Most gaming mice use either optical or laser sensors. Laser mice usually boast high dots-per-inch (DPI) ratings. However, optical mice also have very high DPIs, and most users can't tell the difference between the two at the higher end of the range, which goes up to about 12,000 DPI. Similarly, laser mice can be more prone to tracking problems on rough surfaces than opticals, but high-end versions of each offer similar performance. Another factor that influence's a gaming mouse's performance is its processor. It enables the mouse to pair sensor data with other information, such as acceleration and movement speed, to support a realistic and intuitive experience for the player.

Choose a Gaming Mouse With the Right Number of Programmable Buttons
Many gaming mice have buttons that are programmable so you can activate a macro or any other series of keystrokes with just one press. This is a significant advantage in games that use multiple commands. When playing games that don't require many commands, a simpler model might be the best gaming mouse for you. Simple mice with few buttons enable a firmer grasp, lessening the chance of accidental button presses. Clicks per minute is another consideration. Some mice are more responsive than others, and a mouse that will let you click more times per minute is an advantage in PVP matches.

Consider a Mouse With Ergonomic Features for Comfortable Play
For gamers who play for hours at a time, an ergonomic mouse reduces stress on the wrists and fingers. Size is also a consideration – mice come in different sizes to suit large and small hands. A mouse that accommodates your grip style, whether it's claw or palm, ensures comfort and improves performance. Mice with custom setting options foster an individualized experience, allowing users to specify metrics such as the sensitivity, rate of acceleration, and polling rate. Create multiple user profiles, so you have the right one for each game.

How Do You Install a Gaming Mouse?
Game mice require a driver to function. Sometimes the driver installs automatically the first time a mouse connects with a computer. If that doesn't happen, visit the manufacturer's website to download the latest version of the driver. Some drivers require users to create a free account. Drivers need periodic updating, so check for new versions often.

How Do You Program a Gaming Mouse?
Each mouse has its own instructions, but most have software that lets the user customize settings, create multiple game profiles and program the buttons. That program may come stored in the mouse itself, or it may be a downloadable file hosted on the manufacturer's website.

Can You Use Gaming Mice for Other Tasks?
Thanks to their high level of precision and programmable buttons, gaming mice are handy for many computer tasks. Professionals such as data entry workers and graphic designers can set up macros for frequently used processes to increase efficiency.