ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Gaming Mouse Review
The ASUS ROG Impact III delivers a premium sensor in a lightweight, repairable body for under $50, but its simple button layout may limit some gamers.
The 30-Second Version
A lightweight, wired FPS mouse with a best-in-class sensor and repairable switches. It's a fantastic value for under $50, but lacks extra buttons and wireless convenience. Buy it for pure click performance and longevity.
Overview
The ASUS ROG Strix Impact III is a wired gaming mouse built for speed and simplicity. It's a 59-gram featherweight with a 12,000 DPI sensor and a focus on FPS gameplay. There's no wireless charging or a dozen extra buttons here, just a lightweight tool designed for fast, precise clicks.
Performance
The sensor performance is a standout, with a 1% deviation rating that's among the best we've seen. The click latency is near-zero, and the 70-million-click lifespan on the switches is impressive. However, our database shows its overall gaming score is surprisingly low, which suggests it might be missing some features competitive gamers expect, like more programmable buttons or a higher polling rate beyond 1000 Hz.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight 59-gram design.
- Sensor accuracy is top-tier.
- Swappable switches for easy repair.
- Paracord cable feels almost wireless.
Cons
- Only 5 programmable buttons. 1th
- Wired connection only. 5th
- Semi-ambidextrous shape may not suit all grips. 9th
- Armoury Crate software can be bloated. 17th
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 |
| Cores | 4 |
| Frequency | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB |
Display
| Panel | IPS |
Physical
| OS | Windows 10Windows 11 |
Value & Pricing
The price range across vendors is wild, from $31 to over $5000. Ignore the high end; that's for bundles or incorrect listings. At its real price around $30-$50, this mouse is a solid value. You get a high-performance sensor and a durable, repairable design for the cost of a basic office mouse.
Price History
vs Competition
If you want a similar lightweight wired FPS mouse, the Logitech G305 is a direct competitor. The G305 is wireless but uses a battery, while the Impact III is wired with a paracord. The Impact III's swappable switches are a clear win for longevity. For more buttons and features, a Razer Viper or SteelSeries Rival 3 might be better, but they'll cost more and often weigh more.
| Spec | ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Gaming Mouse | Apple MacBook Pro Apple MacBook Pro MD101LL/A Intel Core i5-3210M X2 | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft Surface Pro 3 - Intel Core i3 4020Y (1.5 | HP HP - 14" Laptop - Intel Processor N150 2025 - 4GB | Lenovo ThinkPad Lenovo ThinkPad S431 Intel i3 3227U 1.90Gz 8GB RAM | Dell Latitude DELL LATITUDE E7250 12.5" INTEL CORE I5-5300U 2.30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-3210M | Intel Core i3 4020Y | Intel Processor N150 | Intel i3 | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U |
| RAM (GB) | - | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
| Storage (GB) | - | 500 | 64 | 128 | 128 | 128 |
| Screen | - | 13.3" 1280x800 | 12.1" 2160x1440 | 14" 1366x768 | 13.3" 1280x720 | 12.5" 1280x720 |
| GPU | - | AMD Graphics | AMD Graphics | Intel Graphics | AMD Graphics | AMD Graphics |
| OS | Windows 10Windows 11 | - | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 11 Home in S Mode | Windows 10 | Windows 10 Pro |
| Weight (kg) | - | - | 0.8 | 1.5 | - | - |
| Battery (Wh) | - | - | - | 41 | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Screen | Compact | Storage | User Sentiment | Reliability | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Strix Impact III Gaming Mouse | 0.6 | 20.5 | 17.2 | 9.4 | 47.3 | 37.9 | 4.7 | 50 | 56 | 56.5 |
| Apple MacBook Pro MD101LL/A Compare | 31.8 | 96.1 | 2.8 | 41.5 | 2.3 | 86.2 | 35 | 0 | 95.1 | 36.1 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Compare | 31.8 | 96.1 | 2.8 | 49.8 | 73 | 99 | 11.9 | 0 | 76 | 85.3 |
| HP 14" Compare | 6.6 | 58.3 | 2.8 | 93.7 | 2.1 | 77 | 14.1 | 91.9 | 30.6 | 96.5 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad S431 Compare | 31.8 | 96.1 | 17.2 | 34.6 | 1.3 | 86.2 | 14.1 | 0 | 76 | 60.7 |
| Dell Latitude E7250 12.5" Compare | 16.8 | 96.1 | 17.2 | 83.9 | 1.3 | 94.7 | 17.3 | 0 | 30.6 | 21.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Is this mouse good for large hands?
Its semi-ambidextrous shape is more suited for medium-sized hands. If you have very large hands, you might want a larger, ergonomic mouse.
Q: Can you use it without the Armoury Crate software?
Yes, it will work at default settings, but you need the software to change DPI, RGB lighting, or program the buttons.
Q: How does the paracord cable feel?
It's very flexible and light, reducing drag significantly. Most users say it feels almost like a wireless mouse.
Who Should Skip This
If you need a ton of programmable buttons for MMOs or macros, skip this. It only has five. Also, if wireless freedom is a must for you, look elsewhere because this is strictly a wired mouse.
Verdict
Buy this if you're an FPS player who values a super-light mouse, a precise sensor, and the ability to easily replace the switches yourself years down the line. It's a no-frills performance tool.