Best Internet Speed for Gaming: Your Ultimate Guide
Whether it is Fortnite Battle Royale or Mario Kart, all online multiplayer games require a strong internet connection. The internet makes it possible for gamers from around the world to compete with one another or play alongside team members in a virtual environment.
This new era of gaming runs on network speed. If your connection quality is subpar and lags consistently, it can create glitches and delays in your gaming experience, rendering you incapable of defeating the big, bad boss. That is why acquiring the best internet speed for smooth gameplay is necessary. This post is dedicated to equipping you with the most important arsenal you need for an amazing online marathon. Read on.
Internet Speed for Gaming: Understanding Terminology
Download Speed – The speed with which data packets travel from the internet to your gaming device is called the download speed. It is measured in Mbps or ‘megabits per second.’ Rule of thumb: The faster the download rate, the better will be the game loading speed on your console.
Upload Speed – The speed with which data packets travel from your gaming device to the internet is called the upload speed. It is also measured in Mbps or ‘megabits per second.’ Rule of thumb: The faster the upload speed, the more efficient will be the in-game communication between players.
Latency – The time it takes for data packets to reach your gaming device from the host server is called latency. It is expressed in milliseconds. Rule of thumb: The faster the transfer time, the lower the latency rate, and the lesser will be the lags and glitches in your gameplay.
Ping – The time it takes for data packets to upload to the webserver and then return to your gaming device is called the ping. It is measured in milliseconds. Rule of thumb: The faster the roundabout time, the lower will be the ping rate and the more synced will be your gameplay.
Internet Speed for Gaming: Best Connection Types
DSL – This connection type uses the existing telephone lines in an area to transmit data packets back and forth between the web and the gaming device. It is a low-cost, low-speed option. The copper wiring of DSL is inexpensive to install and can support an average 35 Mbps download speed. AT&T is a top DSL provider and delivers a download speed ranging from 5 Mbps to 100 Mbps for a price starting at $49.99 per month. The latency rate is 33 milliseconds on average. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, AT&T has a remarkable 68/100 score, as of 2020.
Cable – This connection type uses the exiting television lines in an area to transmit data packets back and forth between the web and the gaming device. It is a low-cost, high-speed option. Coaxial cables are easily available and can support an average 200 Mbps download speed. Cox Communications is a great cable option for gamers. Cox internet packages provide a download speed ranging from 10 Mbps to 940 Mbps for a price starting at $29.99 per month. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Cox has an above-average 61/100 score, as of 2020. Its average latency rate is 25 milliseconds.
Fiber Optic – This connection type uses advanced fiber-optic glass cables to transmit data packets back and forth between the web and the gaming device. It is a high-cost, high-speed option. Fiber optic internet is hard to find but can offer up to 1 Gig speeds which are symmetrical (i.e. equal download and upload power). Verizon Fios is the best fiber internet provider in the market and has the highest customer satisfaction score of 73/100, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Verizon Fios home internet speeds start at 200 Mbps download/200 Mbps upload and go all the way up to 1 Gig. The price ranges from $39.99 per month to $79.99 per month. It has the lowest latency rate of 12 milliseconds, as well.
Internet Speed Requirements: Gaming Devices
PlayStation 4 – The minimum download speed needed to play on ps4 console is 3 Mbps, while the minimum upload speed is 1 Mbps. The maximum allowable ping rate for PlayStation 4 is estimated to be 150 milliseconds. Check the user manual of your specific ps4 console to confirm the broadband speed requirements.
Xbox One – The minimum download speed required by Xbox One is 3 Mbps, while the minimum upload speed is 0.5 Mbps. The maximum allowable ping rate for Xbox One is 150 milliseconds. Consult the user manual of your particular Xbox One model to find the right internet speed.
Nintendo Switch – The minimum download speed requirement for Nintendo Switch is estimated to be 3 Mbps, while the minimum upload speed is 1 Mbps. The maximum allowable ping rate is 150 milliseconds. Though Nintendo doesn’t mention speed requirements explicitly, you can access them in the troubleshooting guide.
PC/Mac – The minimum download speed required to play an online multiplayer game from your PC or Mac device is 3 – 6 Mbps, while the minimum upload speed range is 0.75 – 1 Mbps. The maximum allowable ping rate is somewhere between 100 – 150 milliseconds.
Internet Speed Requirements: Gaming Types
Role-Playing Games – To complete your character’s RPG quest without facing lag, you need to have a minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps and an upload speed of 1 Mbps. The ping rate should not be more than 150 milliseconds; otherwise, your progress might fall back.
First-Person-Shooter Games – To execute those quick-time events with perfection and make the kills in coordination with your team, you need to have a minimum download speed of 30 Mbps, whereas the upload speed can be 1 Mbps at least. An extremely low ping rate of 16 milliseconds is highly recommended for an FPS gameplay.
Massively Multiplayer Online Games – To uncover the open worlds at your own pace, you can settle for a download speed starting at 3 Mbps, and for an upload speed of 0.5 Mbps. A ping rate limit of no more than 150 milliseconds should be ensured while playing an MMOG.
To Sum Up
The most optimal internet speed for a stellar online gaming experience depends on the type of connection you have, the kind of provider you have subscribed to, the particular gaming device you own, and the variety of games you actually play. This ultimate guide offers valuable information in all these aspects, helping you to find the best internet speed for gaming in 2020.