The Ultimate Weapon for Gamers: Unveiling the Unmatched Performance of the MSI Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless Mouse

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Design

Charging the Clutch GM51 Wireless

MSI Center Software

Performance

Conclusion

Related Products

MSI, a reputable manufacturer known for its high-quality motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, and a wide range of components, is relied upon by competitive gamers. While their other peripherals may not receive as much attention as top brands like Logitech, Razer, and Corsair in North America, MSI's Clutch Series gaming mice have gained a dedicated following. These mice provide exceptional performance at competitive prices.

There has been a new addition to the MSI Clutch gaming mouse lineup with the introduction of the GM51. This wireless gaming mouse offers a higher maximum DPI, improved battery life, and even comes with a wireless charging dock. At first glance, the GM51 may seem a bit excessive for a lightweight mouse, but there are plenty of reasons why this device is worth considering for various gaming needs. Game Rant recently had the opportunity to test out the Clutch GM51 Wireless and evaluate its performance, ergonomics, and software in comparison to other gaming mice on the market.

MSI Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless

Save $15 on the MSI Clutch GM51 Wireless Mouse, a lightweight form factor that offers heavyweight gaming performance. Equipped with a powerful PixArt PAW-3395 optical sensor, this mouse has a maximum DPI of 26,000, 650 IPS, and 50G acceleration, allowing for precise and smooth movement on mouse pads. Gamers can choose between MSI SwiftSpeed 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, or wired connectivity options to connect the Clutch GM51 to their gaming PCs. The mouse also comes with a charging dock, ensuring a battery life of up to 150 hours on a single charge. This mouse weighs 85 grams and features programmable buttons, Omron switches, RGB lighting, and a polling rate of 1000 Hz / 1 ms. Offering excellent specs for its price, the MSI Clutch GM51 is an ideal choice for gamers.

Diamond LightGrips feel secure and look fantastic

Includes charging dock

Reliable wireless connection with a Bluetooth option

Serves a compromise between lightweight and bulkier mice

Cons Software could use refinement

Somewhat large and heavy for a lightweight mouse

Basic scroll wheel

$85 at Amazon $88 at Walmart

Contents of Package and Setup

The MSI Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless Mouse is packaged in a elegantly designed white box with a combination of black and gray accents. Inside the box, you will find the mouse itself, a charging dock, and a braided USB cable. The cable can be used to connect the dock to a PC or to use the mouse in wired mode. Additionally, there is a helpful quick start guide included, which effectively explains the mouse's key features within limited space.

Unpacking a new mouse is always entertaining, especially when it comes to locating the small wireless USB dongle. In this case, the dongle was securely stored at the bottom of the mouse where the USB cable can be attached.

Setting up the Clutch GM51 Wireless mouse for initial use is a simple plug-and-play process. Windows will detect the USB dongle, allowing gamers to start using the mouse right away. However, it is highly recommended to download the MSI Center software for full functionality and customization. Once the software is installed, users may be prompted to reboot their PC. The Clutch GM51 arrived here almost fully charged, but for optimal performance, it is advisable to fully charge it before testing it out.

Design

The Clutch GM51 weighs around 85 grams or approximately 3 ounces, making it a bit heavier compared to most lightweight mice preferred by gamers. However, it is still lighter than small ultra-lightweight mice that weigh 60 grams or less. In comparison to the 134-gram Razer Naga Pro, which is great for MMO games, the Clutch GM51 is noticeably more agile. It may not be the ideal choice for highly competitive FPS gamers who make quick movements with their mice, but its balanced profile makes it suitable for most types of games.

Measuring 4.8 inches in length, 2.6 inches in width, and 1.8 inches in height, the Clutch GM51 is quite long for a lightweight FPS mouse. However, it is narrower than certain mice that are specifically designed for games like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV. The GM51 has a prominent hump that allows for easy control with a conventional palm grip, although those who use a claw grip may find it slightly too heavy. The main left and right mouse buttons have slanted edges on the sides, making it convenient to click with the appropriate fingers. The MSI dragon logo is located near the bottom of the top shell and, as expected from a gaming mouse, it illuminates with various RGB effects.

The most notable feature of the Clutch GM51 Wireless is its Diamond LightGrips, which sets it apart from other gaming mice like the Glorious Model O with its honeycomb pattern. Instead, the GM51 employs a grate-like texture on its sides. Initially, gripping the MSI mouse may feel unusual for those accustomed to smoother rubber or plastic surfaces. However, by pressing thumbs and fingers into the small perforations, users experience a remarkably secure grip. Additionally, the Diamond LightGrips showcase stunning RGB effects that emanate from the sides of the GM51. Thanks to the mouse's contours, even when viewed from above, users can still partially see the side lighting, enhancing the overall visual appeal.

The MSI Clutch GM51 Wireless features prominent side buttons that are not meant to go unnoticed. With their pointed edges and protruding design, there may be concerns about accidentally clicking them at a high cost. However, these buttons are specifically designed to require a certain amount of pressure, ensuring that activation is deliberate and accidental misclicks are minimized. During testing, there was no frustration encountered when pressing these buttons, and they provide a satisfying clicking response that is comparable to using a high-quality mechanical keyboard.

To cater to right-handers, the MSI Clutch GM51 boasts an ergonomic shape. The right side of the mouse is specifically curved to comfortably accommodate the last two fingers for those who prefer palm grips. While this portion of the mouse does not house any of the 6 buttons, including the bottom DPI selector, it utilizes the available space effectively by providing an even more pronounced grip and adding visually appealing RGB effects.

From the front view, the Clutch GM51 mouse reveals its full height, along with its left and right buttons that slope downward noticeably. The entire surface of the mouse is coated in a hard plastic anti-smudge material, which has a textured finish that effectively prevents fingerprints. Even after several weeks of use, smudging was never a concern, and only minimal wiping was required.

Below the Clutch GM51, 6 PTFE pads provide excellent coverage, allowing the mouse to glide smoothly across any surface. Users will also find a switch to toggle between Bluetooth and RF connections, as well as a DPI button. The assignable 6th button, typically located near the scroll wheel, is replaced by the DPI switch located underneath the device. Towards the top of the mouse's bottom side, there is a slot that serves as storage for the wireless USB dongle while securely connecting to the braided USB cable provided. Additionally, the underside of the mouse features magnets that securely attach to the top of the charging dock.

Charging the Clutch GM51 Wireless

The Clutch GM51 wireless gaming mouse comes with a charging dock included, which is a nice addition considering its affordable price. Although the dock may not look very sturdy, it is actually easy to position the mouse correctly for charging. In comparison, some expensive Razer gaming mice require a separate purchase of a charging dock that can cost $50 or more. While the MSI version lacks flashy RGB lighting, it does have rubber grips on the bottom to prevent it from sliding on desktops. Additionally, the dock has a slot for cable management and can hold the wireless USB dongle, saving gamers from using extra ports. However, it is worth noting that the MSI logo is only visible on the backside of the dock where the cable connects.

When using the charging dock, gamers can expect the mouse to be fully charged in approximately 220 minutes. For faster charging, MSI offers snap charging with a USB cable, allowing for a full recharge in just one hour. The Clutch GM51 boasts a maximum battery life of 150 hours. In real-world usage, the mouse lasted around five days when used for eight hours per day with RGB effects set slightly below 50% brightness. Disabling the RGB lighting extended the battery life significantly, with the GM51 still performing well after a week of use. Overall, the mouse's battery capacity is impressive considering its lightweight design.

The Clutch GM51 has the ability to indicate battery life through its RGB effects. When the device reaches a predetermined level set in the MSI Center software, it will emit pulsating red-colored warnings. While charging, the current charging level is displayed through different colors. Unfortunately, even if the low battery warnings are disabled in the software or the RGB lighting is turned off completely, the MSI logo continues to flash red.

MSI Center Software

The Clutch GM51 isn't the only high-performance gaming peripheral that has been let down by subpar software. Unlike programs like Razer Synapse or Corsair iCue, which tend to cram a lot of information and options onto one screen, MSI Center takes a different approach. The font is large enough, even on a 4K display, making it easy to navigate through its menus.

By default, gamers have limited control over the RGB lighting on the Clutch GM51 mouse. To have more customization options, they need to download the Mystic Light add-on separately. However, accessing Mystic Light from the Features menu requires a few extra clicks, which was primarily designed for modifying various MSI gear rather than just a mouse. While the RGB lighting on the Clutch GM51 may not be as customizable as competing software, it still provides three different lighting zones and a variety of preset patterns that should fulfill the needs of most gamers.

There are additional mysterious options in the Mystic Light tab, including Game Sync, a slider to sync with Razer Synapse, and an Ambient Link button. Game Sync allows supported titles to activate game-specific effects, although there is no control over which game triggers which effect. Despite the presence of Razer peripherals alongside the Clutch GM51 and an MSI module in Synapse, attempts to sync the mouse with these devices were unsuccessful. It is possible that the mouse currently does not support this functionality, but synchronizing RGB lighting from multiple brands is typically not an easy task. Lastly, Ambient Link enables owners of popular smart lighting systems from brands like Philips Hue and Nanoleaf to synchronize their lights with MSI hardware.

MSI Center allows users to customize their settings through 3 profiles, offering options for DPI, polling rate, and lift-off distance. Different levels of DPI can be easily selected by pressing the DPI button located at the bottom of the device. Gamers also have the ability to remap 5 of the Clutch GM51's buttons, which is useful considering the limited default commands. Although learning how to record new macros initially takes time, it becomes easier with practice. The program also includes a tab dedicated to MSI Speed Shift, catering to gamers with varying mouse movement intensity and frequency. This feature may affect the mouse's accuracy and the speed at which it enters power-saving mode.

Despite the somewhat confusing layout across multiple screens, the MSI Center is stable and does not crash. Furthermore, sensitivity and lighting settings remain intact throughout the day without the need to constantly reopen the program.

Performance

Content:

A gaming mouse cannot survive in today's increasingly fierce competition without a top-notch optical sensor. The MSI Clutch GM51 boasts a PixArt PAW-3395 sensor, enabling an impressive 26000 DPI. With a 650 IPS and acceleration of up to 50 G, the GM51's specifications put it ahead of other wireless mice in its price range.

During testing with Apex Legends, the GM51's precise tracking allowed for quick and accurate targeting of new opponents. This mouse, more of a middleweight than a lightweight, offers easy control for gamers who are not experienced with claw grips. Its design ensures that even slight hand movements will not send the device flying. While MSI's mouse may not be the top choice for the most competitive Esports professionals, it offers a smooth experience for the majority of FPS gamers. There is little to no learning curve when it comes to accessing its buttons comfortably or adjusting to its tracking speed.

Motion Sync is a unique feature exclusive to MSI that strives to ensure seamless synchronization between mouse movements and PC processing, regardless of the abundance of information being handled simultaneously. Additionally, the mouse swiftly detects when it is lifted off the mouse pad, irrespective of whether the lift-off distance is set to low or high in the MSI Center.

The wireless performance of the Clutch GM51 with its polling rate capped at 1000 Hz is incredibly stable. Even when the MSI SwiftSpeed 2.4 GHz USB dongle is positioned far away from the mouse, the cursor glides seamlessly. However, when using Bluetooth, there may be occasional slight delays when opening and closing windows, so it is recommended to opt for either an RF or wired connection when gaming.

One aspect of the MSI Clutch GM51 that is somewhat ordinary is its scroll wheel. The MSI Center does not offer any software options, and there are no physical mechanisms to adjust the default scroll speed. Therefore, users may need to rely on their operating system settings or third-party applications for increased productivity. On a positive note, scrolling is fluid and relatively noiseless, and the heavily textured wheel is appealing for the index finger. Moreover, unlike some other mice, assigning an additional macro to the scroll wheel button is practical as the wheel does not slip when pressed.

Conclusion

The MSI Clutch GM51 is a powerful wireless gaming mouse that offers precise tracking and unique RGB styling. Its large Diamond LightGrips not only look appealing but also provide comfortable positions for the thumb and pinky finger. The 5 mouse buttons and durable Omron switches deliver satisfying clicks, meeting the expectations of any avid gamer. With its impressive maximum DPI and acceleration, along with a charging dock included, the GM51 is a highly desirable option for gamers in search of high-performance gaming gear.

Although the software can be frustrating to use at times, it slightly hinders the Clutch GM51. Customizing RGB lighting and macros in the MSI Center is not as straightforward as with other peripheral manufacturers' apps. However, once users personalize the mouse to their liking, the app is refreshingly streamlined compared to the increasingly bloated alternatives.

Introducing the MSI Clutch GM51 Lightweight Wireless mouse - a compact and lightweight gaming mouse that might not suit the most hardcore FPS gamers due to its modest dimensions and feather-light weight of just 85 grams. However, don't let its name deceive you, as this MSI mouse offers a perfect balance between ultra-light mice designed for precision and maneuverability, and larger MMO mice packed with numerous buttons.

Save $15 when you purchase the MSI Clutch GM51 Wireless Mouse for $85 instead of $100. This mouse offers the perfect balance between a lightweight design and high-performance gaming capabilities. It is equipped with a powerful PixArt PAW-3395 optical sensor that provides a maximum DPI of 26,000, 650 IPS, and 50G acceleration for precise movement.

You can connect the Clutch GM51 to your gaming PC using MSI SwiftSpeed 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, or wired connectivity options. Additionally, it comes with a charging dock that extends the battery life up to 150 hours on a single charge.

This mouse weighs only 85 grams and features programmable buttons, RGB lighting, and durable Omron switches. With a polling rate of 1000 Hz / 1 ms and excellent specifications, the MSI Clutch GM51 Wireless Mouse offers remarkable value for its price.

Diamond LightGrips feel secure and look fantastic

Includes charging dock

Reliable wireless connection with a Bluetooth option

Serves a compromise between lightweight and bulkier mice

Cons Software could use refinement

Somewhat large and heavy for a lightweight mouse

Basic scroll wheel

$85 at Amazon $88 at Walmart

Related Products

The Clutch GM51 Wireless, despite its weight, lacks comparable mice in the same weight class. For those willing to invest in a top-tier alternative, the RGB-less Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro weighs 63 grams and offers slightly faster acceleration and a maximum DPI of 30,000. Its Hypershift feature allows for a greater number of commands. However, its battery capacity is rated at 90 hours compared to the Clutch GM51's 150 hours.

The Logitech G Pro Wireless is similar in size to the Clutch GM51, although it has a less pronounced hump. Weighing 80 grams, it is not as lightweight as some of its competitors. Unlike the Clutch GM51, the Logitech G Pro is an ambidextrous mouse that allows for button removal and installation on both sides. While it shares similar specs, it disappoints with a battery life of only 48 hours and does not come with a charging dock or pad. Additionally, its RGB effects are more basic.

Buyers considering the Clutch GM51 should also take into account the similarly priced Corsair Katar Elite. Weighing just 69 grams, this wireless mouse is exceptionally lightweight and offers a maximum DPI of 26,000. The Katar Elite also features a remappable top-side DPI button for added convenience. With a battery life of 110 hours, it provides impressive longevity; however, it falls slightly short of the durability offered by MSI's device.

FAQ

Q: Which is a better mouse for gaming, wired or wireless?

Q: What does DPI mean?

Wireless mice generally have higher latency compared to their wired counterparts. Although in today's market, the difference between the two is minimal. Despite advancements in battery life, wireless mice still cannot match the long-lasting performance of wired alternatives.

DPI, in simple terms, is the rate at which the mouse detects movement. A higher DPI means a mouse can detect movement more precisely.

Q: Why do some gamers prefer a lightweight gaming mouse?

The most competitive FPS gamers often use claw grips to fling gaming mice around mouse pads. Lightweight mice are ideal for rapid and accurate movements.