What Is a Good Internet Speed for Gaming? (Tips on How to Reduce Lag)

Internet connection speed: The basics

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s clear up some terms first. 

1. Mbps — or megabits per second — with it, we measure how much information flows to and from the web every second. The higher the number, the more you can either upload or download.
2. Download speed — shows how many Mbps it takes to get data onto your device from a server elsewhere. For example, listening to music on Spotify or streaming shows on Netflix requires downloading data.
3. Upload speed — indicates how many Mbps you can send from your device to another one or to a server on the web, and it directly shows how upload speed affect gaming performance. This includes emailing, taking part in multiplayer games, making video calls. To send data elsewhere you need fast upload speed.
4. Latency — the time between action and response — tells you how long it takes for data to go from your device to the gaming server and then back again to your system. Low latency is a must for online games.
5. Ping — it’s how we measure latency milliseconds (ms). Ping tells you how long it takes for your device to respond to a request from the game server. Let’s say, for example, you have a ping rate of 200ms and you’re playing a game. When you tap a button on your keyboard to complete some action, it will take 200 milliseconds for you to see it happen on screen. Unlike download and upload speeds, a low ping is better as data is being sent quicker. 
6. Lag — is caused by high ping rates. Slow speeds and delays are lag in action. 

What is the right Internet speed for gaming?

Here’s what speeds are considered good for common deeds. 

We see that the greater the speeds are, the more traffic-intensive tasks you can do while online. 

Ideal Internet speed for gaming 

But now, let’s get to gaming — that is, figure out the recommended download and upload speeds on different consoles. All gaming consoles aren’t manufactured equal and differ in terms of recommended speeds for online games. To slay in a game with no lags, you should know your system’s precise requirements. Based on the gaming console you have, here’s the minimum download speed and recommended connection speeds for each popular gaming device.

Swift online gaming also depends on the number of devices connected to your household network. For example, if your household consists of 4 people, and each of them stream or game a lot, your bandwidth must be able to support multiple users. And if several people are engaged in traffic-intensive activities at the same time — for example, one is downloading a huge file while the other is playing Call of Duty — your ping will grow.

But when you’re using a PC or Mac for gaming, the Internet speed should be somewhat different.  

Here are the recommended internet speeds for PC or Mac gaming:

Note: It should be noted that these numbers are approximate using general guidelines. Gaming can be different depending on which device you can play the game and what game you are playing on.

If your Internet connection hits the above speeds, you should be able to enjoy smooth gameplay online without any lags.

What connection speed do you need for different game types?

The types of games you play, including streaming-based services like Xbox cloud gaming, can affect Internet speed requirements, too. For some games, especially in competitive gaming, if your connection is sluggish even for a mere second, other players may get you before you can get them. So, to dominate in these competitive games, competitive gamers should go beyond the bare minimum of their Internet plan requirements.

Your Internet plan allows for a good speed but you still come across lags while gaming and poor gaming performance? We know a couple of solutions. 

Tips to reduce lags in gaming 

Lags are a deal breaker, whether you are winning the battle in Minecraft or achieving a top spot in Call of Duty, as everyone wants a lag-free gaming experience. Here then is the way to minimize lags and have your favorite game.

Turn off other devices or downloads on your network

The first thing in helping reduce lags would be to minimize load within your network and prioritize gaming traffic over background activity. In this case, you should cut any ongoing downloads and turn off devices that are taking away bandwidth. A good idea would also be to see if there are any current in-game downloads running in the background.

Use a wired connection

Ethernet cable tends to offer a more brisk and dependable connection, making a wired Ethernet connection far more reliable than Wi-Fi. You can use the Ethernet cable to connect directly to your device to have a faster and lower-latency connection.

Secure your Wi-Fi 

Change your password to your network and restrict access to it to avoid the piggybacking by someone on your Wi-Fi and stealing your Internet.

Use online game servers closest to you

The physical distance between a player and gaming server affects the gaming experience, too. The closer you are to the server, the lower the latency. Since most online games provide regional servers to cater to players globally, use a server nearby. If you can’t, we know just a way to change your virtual location — connecting to a virtual private network (VPN). 

Use a VPN 

VPNs are bound to slow down your connection a bit, as it takes time to encrypt data. But this slowdown is practically invisible with modern VPNs. In fact, they can even boost your speed in some cases. By changing your IP address and encrypting all of your Internet traffic, a VPN helps you to: 

1. Switch to another virtual location. Just choose the closest server to your actual location and enjoy an improved gaming experience.  
2. Avoid Internet throttling. Your Internet service provider (ISP) may slow down your speed based on your online activity. This can potentially include gaming sessions. A VPN can prevent bandwidth throttling by hiding your online activity from your ISP. Which means no one can deliberately slow you down. 

A reliable VPN for gaming like VeePN will do the job. With 2,500+ servers in 89 locations in 60 countries which can be easily switched, you can pick the closest server to you and change your virtual whereabouts in an instant. You can also set up the app on your router to secure the traffic on all your home devices. With a new anonymous IP address and your data protected by next-gen AES-256 encryption, you’re free from the prying eyes of your ISP and all other third parties that may be snooping around. Give VeePN a try to keep your scores and achievements rock solid. Forget about lags with a hassle-free connection. 

FAQs

Is 100 Mbps fast good for gaming?

Yes, 100 Mbps is a solid option for gamers who want fast Internet speeds for online play. A lot of online games will also work well even with slower connections, which is usually enough for casual gamers.

Is 1000 Mbps fast for gaming?

One terabyte is regarded as a burning connection speed. It is very well when you have multiple devices in your home network where all of them are busy in an activity consuming heavy traffic on the internet such as playing a game or watching content in 4K.

Is 500 Mbps fast for gaming?

Totally. In fact, any speed over 50 Mbps is perfectly suitable for traffic-intensive activities, like gaming, streaming, or downloading huge files. 

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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