Online gaming has come a long way since it blew up during the late 90s and early 2000s. Companies have made sure online games are here to stay by offering a seamless experience for gamers. However, no matter how much hard work gaming companies go to lengths in improving their offers, gamers won’t enjoy a seamless experience without the proper internet.
To answer the question, “What is a good internet speed for gaming?” will depend on you. A minimum of 3Mbps is needed to play online games. It is even actually possible to play Massively Multiplayer Online Games with only 1Mbps, like Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft. But don’t expect your game to go smoothly.
Things to Consider For Internet Speed
You don’t necessarily need 100Mbps for gaming, that’s overkill for some. Before you shop around for internet providers that can give you the fastest internet speed, here are two things you need to consider:
Game
The first thing you need to think about is what kind of game will you be playing? Visit the game’s website and check out the minimum specs for playing it. If you are going to play multiplayer games and be the host, make sure that your internet speed is not just fast but stable too.
Device
What is the gaming device of your choice? You can get better and more stable speeds if you opt for a laptop or a cheap gaming PC under $300 with a LAN connection as opposed to a mobile phone or a Switch that relies on WiFi. It wouldn’t do you good if you have a fast internet speed if your laptop can’t handle it or your device has an old WiFi card.
Factors That Can Affect Internet Speed
Now that you have an idea of what is a good internet speed for gaming, you should know about factors that can affect this. Even if you are subscribed for 100Mbps internet, you might still experience gaming lags. But why is that? Here are some factors that can affect the speed of your internet:
Location
It matters where you are playing from, the country, the city, or the town. If you are in a remote area with a broadband centralizer nearby, chances are you can enjoy your fast internet speed. However, if you are in a busy city or away from a broadband centralizer, your connection can be affected due to network congestion.
Number of Users
How many people are using the internet connection in your home? Do you have more than 1 device connected to your internet? Remember that the internet bandwidth is split between the number of internet users.
Usage
Let’s say you are the only person using the internet but there’s so much activity going on your computer, chances are the gaming speed will be affected. If you are downloading multiple heavy files while in the middle of a tournament, don’t expect a lag-free game.
Internet Provider
Make sure to choose a reliable internet provider if you want faster speed. When checking out offers, be sure to read the fine print. Some would advertise that you can get a maximum speed of 150Mbps but it doesn’t necessarily mean that is the speed all the time.
Connection
Check out the equipment that you own at home like your modem. Check the settings for data capping and maximum allowed bandwidth. If you want to enjoy the full speed of your internet, it’s best to connect via the shortest route. Going through a router and modem before it reaches your console or computer can make your internet slower. Go for the direct route using an Ethernet cable.
Reducing Lags
Apart from knowing what is a good internet speed for gaming, you might also be interested in a few tips on reducing lags.
Connect to a Local Server
When you are playing online games, it’s best to go on a local server. This way, you can have a lower ping.
Focus on the Game
It doesn’t matter if you are playing Minecraft or League of Legends, the important thing is you should stick to one at a time. If you have any open browsers, close them. Don’t even think about multi-tasking, like going on a mission while simultaneously watching a movie on Netflix or streaming songs.
Restart the Router
If your internet is still glitchy despite having a direct connection to it or being close to the router, sometimes you just need to reset it. This can improve the latency of your internet connection.
Conclusion: What is a Good Internet Speed for Gaming
Again, the answer to what is a good internet speed for gaming is up to you. Most online games can be played even if you only have a speed of 1 to 3Mbps but it might not be the gaming experience that you imagine. After assessing the game or games you want to play plus your computer or console, you can find the best internet speed for you. For an exceptional gaming experience, a speed of 100 to 150Mbps should be more than enough.
