Modern entertainment paved the way for online gaming. Nowadays, players even have the option to switch to Cloud Gaming. In line with this, whether it is teaming up with friends or going solo, everyone wants the same thing — smooth gameplay. However, most gamers focus too much on getting the fastest internet and building the most capable gaming PC. It seems that they overlook the key factors in smooth online gaming: latency, bandwidth, and lag. Although it is normal to feel that dealing with these can be too technical, it is still crucial to understand them.
To learn these concepts in a breeze, stick around until the end of this article.
Learning Latency in Online Gaming
Latency is the time it takes for a device to send a signal to the game server and get a response. It is usually measured in milliseconds (ms). For the unfamiliar, the lower the latency, the faster the game reacts to a player’s actions. In simple words, lower latency means better performance.
In particular, gamers should aim for a latency below 50ms, with a single-digit value offering the best experience. Likewise, anything that surpasses 100ms will start causing issues.
Exploring Bandwidth in Online Gaming
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that an internet connection can handle at once. It is commonly expressed in megabits per second (Mbps). More specifically, having a higher bandwidth when gaming enables the system to send and receive data more efficiently from the server.
One should be aware that problems can arise when a network is used for various activities. Therefore, heavy gamers who multitask should opt for a higher bandwidth plan. It will help in ensuring a steady data flow to prevent dropped frames or disconnections.
Understanding Lag in Online Gaming
Lag is the delay between a player’s action and the game’s response on screen. In other words, it is the visible results of high latency, low bandwidth, and other factors. Gamers would usually experience this when a character freezes or shots register late.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that there are different kinds of lag, each with its own causes and solutions.
How to Ensure Smooth Gaming
While a variety of factors can ruin the experience, there are also several ways to resolve the issue:
- Upgrade the internet plan
- Switch to a wired connection
- Optimize router settings
- Reduce network traffic
- Keep the hardware updated
- Regularly check the connection
Key Takeaways
To make sure that online gaming remains seamless, keep latency low, maintain enough bandwidth, and avoid lag. Beyond fancy rigs and the fast connections, understanding these concepts help make the right choices to elevate the experience.
Note: To ensure accuracy and depth, this article gathers insights from Clearwave Fiber, CNET, ExitLag, and Lenovo.
