Page 3 - Subjective Performance Tests
After plugging the Cooler Master MM712 in with the wireless dongle and setting up the software, I ran the mouse through our series of standard tracking performance tests. This includes normal office usage in the Windows environment as well as gaming. Some graphics work and testing were done with Adobe Photoshop. Games used in this test primarily include VALORANT and League of Legends. This spans different genres and allows us to get a feel as to how the mouse responds in different situations. All testing was completed on a ROCCAT Sense CTRL XXL. Please note these are subjective tests, but we will attempt to make it as objective as possible with our cross-reference testing methods. I did use the MM712 in wired and wireless operation modes, but majority of my testing was with the mouse connected via the wireless dongle.
Compared to the usual mice I have been daily driving, the Cooler Master MM711, the MM712 felt exactly the same, even with the slight weight reduction. This familiar shape was quite easy to get used to and one that I really enjoy. Its shape is a bit flatter than other mice I have used, but the bump at the back is not really suited for palm gripping, unless you have small hands. Even so, those with small to medium-sized hands will probably use a claw grip, while those with larger hands would probably prefer a fingertip grip. I personally use a bit of a hybrid grip between a palm and claw grip. The loss of any holes in the body also means the back and sides of the MM712 feel a bit more slippery. The surface of the MM712 is still a bit coarse, but some users may want to use the grip tape provided. Weight-wise, the MM712 is very light at around 58g. The lighter weight is still a preference thing, as some may want something heftier. The weight is generally aligned with the center of the mouse, but not with the sensor, which is located above the middle. For the sensitivity range, I rarely went above 1600DPI in my daily use despite Cooler Master allowing up to 19000DPI of sensitivity. As for inputs, I found all of the buttons, both primary and secondary, to be placed in a reachable place, yet away enough to avoid accidental presses. Audible and tactile feedback of the primary buttons were quite good as well.
Practically every mouse we look at here is meant for gaming, so it only makes sense I gamed with the Cooler Master MM712. While I am not the best gamer, I found the Cooler Master MM712 and the PixArt PAW3370 to be excellent. Tracking was consistent and smooth. In games like VALORANT, flick shooting was very easy with the mouse's light body. Getting a grip on the mouse was alright with the slightly textured surface. The sensor position on the bottom may affect some users in the way they use their mouse and wrist movement. However, I did not notice a huge difference in my own use and is probably dependent from user to user. I also was unable to spin out my mouse, which is good for consistent tracking with fast movement. In games like League of Legends, the tracking performance held up and clicking felt consistent and crisp. Compared to the wired and wireless operation, I barely noticed any differences in terms of latency. There are numerical differences in click latency, but these were so minute for me to notice. While there were prior reports of wireless issues, I was not able to observe any with the latest firmware.
When looking at more technical flaws, the PAW3370 in the Cooler Master MM712 was again very capable. Some Photoshop tests with free-hand lassoing revealed small details and movements were picked up without problem. Moving in straight lines showed zero signs of prediction or angle snapping at reasonable sensitivity settings. There was a slight amount of jitter at higher DPI settings, but this was not observable at lower sensitivity. Response time felt consistent throughout my use. Lift off distance, when configured to low, was less than the thickness of one optical disc. One flaw I did notice was the ability to trigger accidental slam clicking, specifically when the click latency was set to 2ms or less in the utility. Once it was set to any slower setting, this introduced enough debouncing to remove any accidental clicks.
Overall, the Cooler Master MM712 is an excellent mouse with its recognizable shape, clean finish, and generally great performance. Tracking was great in both gaming and technical tests. Its shape was comfortable for me and should be for small to medium-sized hands, but I still recommend trying it out before you buy. The slam clicking flaw is a bit unfortunate, but can be worked around with a slightly higher click latency. Overall, I was quite impressed with wireless performance that felt very similar to its wired performance, which is a good trend for Cooler Master.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware and Software
3. Subjective Performance Tests
4. Conclusion
