Introduction
The mouse, at one time, was considered one of the most simplistic peripherals, and has evolved quickly to keep pace with the more sophisticated software programs and games of today. Many years ago, the functionality was quite basic. Most mice had two main buttons, minimal customization and a useable design void of comfort, style and color.
EVGA, which was founded in July 1999, originally produced video cards and motherboards, but since 2010 has expanded its product line to cover, but not limited to, power supplies, monitors, CPU coolers, cases and mice.
Today a person has a plethora of choices when considering peripherals. Choice could be considered a founding principle on the evolution of all electronics; however mice have always pushed the envelope to ensure their place amongst modern computer hardware.
These essential components come in various sizes, colours, and functionality. Configuration can go from easy to complex, and allow for some truly amazing customization. Not only are they wireless versions, but ambidextrous, and programmable, which goes a long way to please different sections of the population.
EVGA has produced the TORQ X5 to be a gaming mouse. At first glance, it is very evident that EVGA is serious about gaming, and the larger gaming community, when designing their hardware.
EVGA's Take on the TORQ X5
Introducing the EVGA TORQ X5 gaming mouse. Built with the highest quality materials, this mouse was designed from the ground up to satisfy the needs of the hardcore gamer with a high quality optical sensor that provides up to 6400 DPI, eight programmable buttons, and a customizable RGB LED.
We didn't stop there though. The EVGA TORQ X5 features the highest quality Omron switches with a lifespan of over 20 million clicks, 512Kb of onboard storage for saving up to 5 seperate profiles, robust tuning software, a Pixart 3988 Optical sensor providing up to 6400DPI with 1000Hz polling rate, and much more.
Features and Specifications
- 6400 DPI Optical Sensor
- Ambidextrous grip which support both left and right handed users
- 32-bit ARM MCU
- Highest quality Omron switches which last up to 20 million clicks
- Supports up to 8 programmable buttons
- Allows for up to 4 DPI settings to be accessed on the fly
- Built in 512k memory
- 6 ft silver coated copper USB cable with braided surface
- Black nickel plated USB connector
- Innovative surface material provides comfort and ease of grip
- Fully customizable RGB LED
- Unleash software for full control including Macros, profiles and OSD
Packaging and unboxing
The front of the package illustrates the specification highlights, profile LED indicator settings and colours. This mouse is also windows 7, 8 and 10 compatible.
On the bottom we find product information, interface, dimensions, input rating and warranty.
The back of the package explains a detailed list of features and specifications in seven popular languages.
Unboxing the EVGA TORQ X5 was strait forward. The contents include the EVGA TORQ X5 mouse and a gaming mouse quick reference guide and a set of pads. The EVGA UNLEASH software was available on their download site, and took under a minute to receive the 78MB file.
A Closer Look
EVGA chose a white glossy enamel which contrasts very well with the black base. This mouse is very visually stunning when paired with one of the many white cases we have reviewed at PROCLOCKERS like the BitFenix Nova, Xigmatek Nebula C, or a Corsair Graphite Series 780T that I use.
Using the profiles, the TORQ X5 can be customized to match your case lighting. Although it’s not an article of clothing, many gamers believe that sometimes your hardware just has to match.
Here is the green LED accent. The colours red, green, blue, yellow and orange cover a wide range to match that of many different keyboards, and keep your desktop looking classy. When first plugged in the TORQ X5 will cycle through all the available profile colours then default to blue.
The underside shows the profile button, located bottom left, which is used to change the profile and colours. The EVGA logo, model number, upc and voltage are also listed. The pre- installed pads, are also visible, and provide a smooth glide for the device.
The USB cable is well protected with a braided material which is resistant to wear for even the most serious games. A Velcro strap helps tame the cord when stored or not in use.
Software
The EVGA TORQ X5 uses the EVGA UNLEASH software to unlock the full potential of this mouse. Initially I didn’t know what to expect, as many times there may be a steep learning curve, however I was quite pleased at the user friendly interface.
The default screen allows the user to set up the basic functions and select which hand is the dominant. The settings are listed on the left and the functions you want the TORQ buttons to perform are on the right.
The advanced settings permit different DPI settings for the various profiles. If you are playing Battlefield 4 you would use a higher setting than on Excel or Word, it all depends on the application. Having the TORQ setup this way allows for quick DPI settings on the fly with a push of the button. Your current DPI settings can be seen at a glance in the upper chart, and you can quickly customize the colour and brightness of the LEDs with the lighting controls.
If you are a big fan of macros, they can be easily created by filling in the name, then pressing the record button, and pressing the appropriate keys. Once your done with the key, be sure to turn off the record button or you may find yourself repeating the macro setup.
Finally, using the Profile Management tab, you can customize your individual profiles to suit your needs. For most FPS games I tend to use the same profile, however if you have multiple users, it can be tailored to each users preferences and immediately changed. Users can then simply remembered their profile by colour.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Overall I was pleased with the EVGA TORQ X5. Unpackaging was simple, however I didn’t immediately find the link for the UNLEASH software. A simple google search provided the download site, and the compressed size took minimal time to acquire. The software was very functional and I was quickly setup to play some of my favorite games in minutes.
When scrolling at the lowest setting, I found this device initially a little sluggish, however after increasing the DPI, it became very responsive. This may have been due to the device being new, as these issues disappeared after the first 20 minutes of use. For an optical mouse, it can achieve settings which one would expect from many laser mice. IT performed very well on a variety of surfaces, and I found little difference between gaming mouse pads or the plain surface on my desk.
The EVGA TORQ X5 can be found for around the $50 USD price point. Many devices can be purchased for four times as much, all with a variety of software, functionality and customization. At this price, the user gets quite a bit of bang for the buck. It can easily mirror colours of other peripherals to add style to anyone’s computing or gaming experience. The eight programmable buttons allow for a robust performance in a variety of modern games, consistent with other mice in the gaming field. With a solid feel and ambidextrous properties, it is sure to attract many gamers and at an affordable price point, which will get the user to a competitive level of gaming. Currently the EVGA TORQ X5 can be found on Amazon.com for $47 at the time of this writing. Although I mainly use laser mice, the EVGA TORQ X5 is definitely an affordable alternative.
