How it works
The sensor reports movement counts as the mouse crosses a surface. DPI sets counts per inch; game sensitivity converts them into camera movement. Desktop pointer settings may matter differently when a game uses raw input. A higher DPI number alone does not make aiming more accurate or consistent.
Important differences and limits
DPI multiplied by sensitivity helps compare settings within one game, but sensitivity scales differ between games. Field of view, acceleration and aiming modes alter the feel. Polling rate is separate: it describes reporting frequency rather than movement sensitivity. Do not treat all these numbers as interchangeable performance scores.
A useful practical check
Choose a comfortable desktop DPI profile and adjust game sensitivity deliberately. Measure physical travel for a full turn as a repeatable reference. Test slow tracking and quick movement, then save the profile. When investigating inconsistent aim, change one setting at a time and confirm the correct game profile is active.
An example in practice
Changing DPI while compensating with game sensitivity can preserve a similar turning distance within that game. It does not guarantee identical desktop behaviour or identical aiming in another title. Save both values together so the tested combination can be restored.