Comparison Razer Viper Ultimate vs Razer Mamba Wireless

The model of the sensor installed in the mouse. This information is indicated mainly for models equipped with high-end sensors, which are significantly superior in their capabilities to simpler solutions. Such characteristics are important primarily for gaming mice, so most of the devices for which the sensor model is specified belong to this category.

Knowing the name, you can find detailed data on the sensor and evaluate its capabilities. Note that one of the most popular brands nowadays, under which advanced sensors are produced, is PixArt ; on the market are often found, in particular, sensors PixArt 3212, PixArt 3325, PixArt 3327, PixArt 3335, PixArt 3360, PixArt 3389, PixArt 3395, PixArt 3950.

Resolution of the sensor responsible for tracking mouse movements on the work surface. Specified in DPI — dots per inch.

The physical meaning of DPI as a whole is as follows. The sensor of a modern mouse works on the same principle as the camera matrix, and consists of pixels. And DPI is the number of pixels that fall on 1 inch of the underlying surface (length or width), "visible" by the sensor.

It is believed that more DPI means a more advanced sensor and mouse in general; nowadays, models for 3500 – 5000 DPI, 12000 DPI, 16000 DPI even more are not uncommon. In a way, it is — high resolution contributes to accuracy. However, the only thing that is directly determined by this indicator is the speed at which the cursor moves across the screen: the higher the resolution of the sensor, the greater the number of pixels that the cursor will move when the mouse itself moves a certain distance. At the same time, it is worth recalling that too high a speed is even more undesirable than too low. So the real need for high DPI ( 1000 and above) arises mainly when working on large screens (4K resolution and more); for more modest displays (HD and Full HD), smaller values are often enough.

The greatest acceleration during movement, at which the mouse maintains normal performance; if this indicator is exceeded, the cursor may “break down” (moving to an unexpected place due to incorrect processing of data from the sensor).

The faster the mouse moves, the greater the acceleration acting on it. Accordingly, this parameter determines the sensitivity to sudden movements, the extent to which this model is able to normally perceive and process such movements. High values of maximum acceleration ( 40 G, 50 G) are important first of all in dynamic games, especially for professional e-sportsmen and advanced enthusiasts. If the mouse is bought for relatively simple tasks (working with documents, surfing the web, etc.), you can ignore this indicator.

The ips (inches per second) parameter is the linear speed of mouse movement, expressed in inches per second, at which the manipulator's sensor is able to read the surface. In top models, the maximum mouse movement speed often reaches 400-600 ips, but devices with ips in the region of 200 are more common.

The polling rate shows how often the mouse sensor exchanges data with the computer about cursor movement. This parameter is measured in hertz (Hz), with one second being taken as the unit of time for its assessment. The smoothness and speed of cursor movement directly depend on the polling rate of the sensor. Directly connected to it is the mouse response time — this is the time interval required for the signal about the manipulator's movement to reach the display of the cursor position change on the screen. Response time is measured in milliseconds (ms). The higher the mouse's "hertz rate," the lesser the response time it demonstrates. The most common value can be considered 1000 Hz with a response time of 1 millisecond. For competitive games, attention should be paid to faster mice, including 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 8000 Hz. Values below might negatively manifest just in gaming scenarios.

The type of switches in a mouse indicates the mechanism used under the main buttons to register a click. It affects the feel when pressing, actuation speed, lifespan, and resistance to accidental double clicks.

— Optical. Button mechanisms where the press is registered not by closing metal contacts but by interrupting a light beam. This makes them faster, less prone to wear, and almost unaffected by accidental double-click issues.
These switches are especially valued in gaming mice, where response speed and stability after a large number of clicks are crucial. For example, in shooters or MOBA games, they help achieve clear feedback without delay and contact bouncing.

— Mechanical. Classic button mechanisms where a click is registered due to the closing of metal contacts. They provide a familiar tactile feel, a well-audible click, and are widely used in both office and gaming models.
Compared to optical switches, mechanical ones are usually simpler and cheaper, but over time the contacts may wear out. For example, with active gaming or daily work, after a few years, a double click might occur instead of a single press.

The switches in a mouse indicate which specific switches are installed under the main buttons, such as Omron, Huano, Kailh, TTC, or proprietary solutions from the manufacturer. These determine the click characteristics, actuation force, click volume, lifespan, and the likelihood of double-clicking over time.

Unlike the general switch type, which refers to the working principle—mechanical or optical—the brand and model provide a more precise understanding of the performance level. For example, two mice with mechanical switches might feel different when clicked: some may be softer and quieter, while others could be stiffer, louder, and feel more "gaming-like."

An indicator showing the current resolution of the mouse sensor.

The DPI value indicator is found only in models that allow you to switch the sensor resolution and are equipped with the appropriate buttons (see above). The indicator allows you to easily monitor the set DPI settings. Note that it does not necessarily show specific numbers — conventions can be used, for example, different backlight colours.

The presence in the mouse of its own built-in memory.

The main and, in fact, the only way to use such memory is to store various advanced settings (for example, the functions of programmable keys, or even entire user profiles for various games or other tasks). This feature is relevant mainly for gamers, so almost all models with this feature are gaming.