Raw Input Buffer in Valorant is a mouse setting that makes the game read your mouse movements directly and more quickly, cutting out extra processing from the operating system so your aim feels more responsive and consistent.

What Raw Input Buffer Actually Does

Think of it as letting Valorant “talk” to your mouse without a middleman.

  • It lets the game process raw inputs directly from your mouse , instead of going through extra OS layers that can slightly delay or modify them.
  • This helps reduce input latency , so the time between moving your mouse or clicking and seeing it in-game is shorter.
  • It removes some OS or software “smoothing” or filtering, which can make your crosshair movement feel cleaner and more 1:1 with your hand motion.

In a tactical FPS like Valorant, even a few milliseconds can matter for flicks, tracking, and peeking, so this setting is aimed at competitive players looking for every small advantage.

In simple terms: Raw Input Buffer tries to make your crosshair follow your hand as closely and as quickly as possible, with fewer software obstacles in between.

Key Benefits (And When You Feel Them)

Many players describe the difference as “small but noticeable,” especially with good hardware.

Main benefits

  1. Lower input lag
    • Your mouse actions reach the game faster by skipping some OS processing, so reactions feel snappier and shots register more quickly.
  1. More precise & consistent aim
    • Because your input isn’t altered by other software layers, your mouse movement is translated more faithfully into in-game camera movement.
 * This can help with micro-adjustments for headshots and tight angles.
  1. Better for high polling rate mice
    • Valorant already uses raw input by default, but Raw Input Buffer is Riot’s custom method to handle very high polling rates (like above 1000 Hz) more reliably, which can otherwise cause performance issues or inconsistent feel.

When you’ll notice it most

  • You use a gaming mouse with a high polling rate (1000 Hz or higher).
  • You’re sensitive to small changes in mouse feel and play a lot of aim-heavy agents or roles.
  • You sometimes feel micro-stutter, weird smoothing, or tiny delays when aiming.

If you use a basic mouse with a low polling rate, Windows can handle the input fine and the difference may be far less noticeable.

How to Turn It On (Quick Steps)

The exact menu names can differ slightly by patch, but the flow is roughly:

  1. Open Valorant and go to Settings (gear icon top right on main menu).
  1. Go to the General or Controls / Mouse section.
  1. Find Raw Input Buffer (sometimes labeled as [BETA] Raw Input Buffer).
  1. Toggle it On and hit Apply / Save.

Then hop into the practice range, do a few flicks and tracking drills, and see how it feels for you.

Should You Use It?

Different players and forum discussions land on slightly different takes, but you can boil it down to this:

  • Turn it ON if:
    • You have a decent gaming mouse, especially high polling rate (1000 Hz+).
* You care about competitive performance and want the lowest possible input delay.
* Your aim sometimes feels “mushy,” delayed, or inconsistent.
  • Consider OFF or testing both if:
    • Your PC is very low-end and you’re troubleshooting stutters (rare, but some people test it off just to compare).
    • You don’t notice any difference and prefer how it feels with your current setup.

A good way to test:

  • Play 10–15 minutes in the range and a deathmatch with it off , then repeat with it on , using the same sensitivity and mousepad area. Pay attention to how your crosshair stops when you stop your hand, and whether your flicks overshoot or undershoot more.

Mini Story-Style Example

Imagine you’re anchoring B site, holding a tight angle for a swing.
With normal settings, your crosshair might feel just a hair behind your actual motion—something you only notice in clutch moments.
With Raw Input Buffer on, your crosshair feels like it’s glued to your hand movement; your counter-strafe, micro-correction, and click line up a bit more cleanly.
That small improvement might be the difference between trading and winning the duel.

Short TL;DR

  • Raw Input Buffer lets Valorant read your mouse input more directly and quickly , skipping some OS processing.
  • It mainly reduces input lag and can make aiming feel more responsive and precise , especially with high polling rate gaming mice.
  • For most competitive players with decent gear, turning it on is recommended and worth testing to see if your aim feels better.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.