DPI and pointer speed are different settings
Mouse DPI is normally configured by the mouse hardware or its manufacturer software. Windows and macOS also provide pointer-speed controls, but those controls are software-level multipliers and should not be described as changing the sensor's DPI.
Games add another layer through their own sensitivity setting. Changing DPI and changing game sensitivity can both alter how far the camera moves, but they are not the same control.
Change DPI with manufacturer software
Install the official configuration software for your mouse model, open its sensitivity or DPI section, select the desired stage, and save the profile to the mouse or application. If your mouse supports several stages, you may be able to assign a dedicated DPI button.
After changing the value, run the Mouse DPI Analyzer if you want an independent browser-based check.
Use the physical DPI button
Many gaming mice include a button underneath the scroll wheel or on the underside. Pressing it may cycle through preset DPI stages. The exact stages and indicator behavior vary by manufacturer, so the manual or configuration utility is the authoritative source.
Do not confuse DPI with Windows sensitivity
Windows pointer speed changes how the operating system presents pointer movement; it does not necessarily rewrite the sensor's configured DPI. For repeatable gaming measurements, keep the OS pointer configuration consistent and make changes deliberately rather than changing several variables at once.
Choose a DPI by testing the whole setup
There is no universal best DPI. A useful starting point is a value you can control comfortably, followed by adjustments to in-game sensitivity. Compare setups with eDPI or physical cm/360 rather than comparing DPI alone.
A simple change-and-check workflow
- Record your current DPI and game sensitivity.
- Change only one variable.
- Play or test for long enough to notice control differences.
- Use eDPI or cm/360 to document the setup.
- Use the analyzer if you want to independently check the mouse's pointer behavior.