Last Updated on 10 October, 2024
A good internet connection is crucial to getting the best experience possible in online games, but that itself isn’t enough. Most routers and system settings for network connections don’t work right out of the box, you have to optimize them for gaming. It’s possible that you are not seeing the full potential of your internet plan due to some hardware and software shortcomings—all of which can be fixed with just a few tweaks.
What Is Latency in Gaming & How to Reduce It?
Low latency is one of the most important aspects of online gaming, especially in a competitive environment. While some online games don’t need a low-latency internet connection, you will always benefit from having a low ping.
So, what exactly is latency? Latency is the time required for information to travel back and forth from point A to point B. In the case of online gaming, the parties involved are usually your device and a game server. It is also referred to as “Ping.” Latency is not always dependent on your download speed; several high-speed connections suffer from high latency due to poor optimizations. The faster the signal can carry information back and forth from your PC or a console to the game server, the lower your ping will be.
Latency is a very nuanced characteristic of an internet connection, it’s not exactly a high download speed. The signal ability to carry a very small amount of information instantly between two computers. When you are in an online game, the only information your device needs from a game server is what buttons other players are pressing and what actions they are performing. This information is smaller than the size of a text message, but it needs to get across within a few milliseconds.
It goes without saying that a player with the lowest possible ping in the lobby will always have a competitive advantage over other players. Their actions will be registered first on the game server and hence will take effect in the game environment before anybody else. For instance, if two players start shooting each other simultaneously in the same conditions, the player with a low latency connection will win the fight because his bullets will register first.
Latency can be reduced by playing on your local server, most games have options that allow you to pick the nearest server. This can be further reduced by changing DNS servers in your console or PC’s network settings. Modern routers also have specific settings that help reduce latency, refer to manufacturers’ manual or official website for your specific model.
Bandwidth Settings
Unlike latency, bandwidth is measured in bits per second and is the main marketing term used by internet service providers. It is the download speed of your connection, advertised as Mbps and Gbps. Bandwidth can only be improved by reducing traffic and upgrading your internet plan.
Since video games don’t need to download visuals and sound effects from the internet as they are rendered by your GPU, bandwidth doesn’t affect online gaming much. However, to download video games themselves faster and to watch 4K videos online without buffering, you need a high-bandwidth connection.
Use Ethernet Over Wifi
Using a wired connection will solve most of the connection issues that you face while gaming online. Plugging an Ethernet cable not only reduces latency but also increases the consistency of the signal while providing a speed boost. A wired connection is a must for competitive games such as Valorant, Call of Duty, CS2, and Apex Legends, where every millisecond counts.
There is a huge list of games that work perfectly fine over a WiFi connection and even mobile data. Games that are not fast-paced can seamlessly run on unoptimized latency, and you won’t even notice the lag. They are designed to work with different types of connections so long as you are connected.
These include online poker, crypto poker, and other variants of the game available at an online casino. The best offerings are accessible when you dive into Ignition Crypto Poker, which allows players across the world to connect without worrying about latency or bandwidth. Though you will always notice a difference in responsiveness once you optimize your internet connection. Bitcoin Poker, Ethereum Poker, and Litecoin Poker are all different names of the same type of crypto poker, which you can directly load in your web browser, such as Chrome or Safari.
The quality of the WiFi connection depends on several factors. It is recommended to position your router where there are little to no physical barriers between you and its signal. Latency and bandwidth can also be affected if multiple people are also using the same WiFi, you can reduce the traffic or change router settings in order to prioritize your devices first. Upgrading to a gaming router may save you from a lot of trouble as they come with features tailored for online gaming.
Change DNS & Fix Router Settings
Using Google DNS will drastically improve your latency. The option to change DNS is usually found in the network settings section of your operating system. Console devices such as Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 also allow you to change DNS servers. If you are using MacOS, refer to this guide.
Additionally, you can login to your router’s admin page and make it prioritize your gaming devices. Not all router manufacturers have the same interface, which is why you will have to look for settings specific to your models. Consider choosing the best NAT type for gaming in your router settings.
