Online gaming isn’t the most heavy-duty online task done in today’s time so speed isn’t usually the concern. However, to play games online, a 5Mbps connection or faster is mandatory. With that said, you should also be aware of the fact that no amount of speed is enough to stop a game from lagging. Fast internet speeds aren’t the only factor to consider when choosing an internet plan for gaming.

Now, you don’t have to worry about skimming every single line of the fine print in your internet service contract to understand how it works. We’ve got you. We’re here to help you understand the most important factors to consider when internet shopping for online gaming, so you don’t have to suffer from intense lagging or delayed performances!

What Affects Internet Speed for Gaming?

Multiple factors come into play when talking about online gaming. It’s never a ‘one size fits all situation. You should always consider these different aspects when internet shopping to determine if the connection speed is sufficient for online gaming.

• Download Speed

Download speed is known as the amount of speed it takes to deliver packets of information to your device from the remote server. It’s speed. You will notice how every internet plan advertises download speeds only as they’re higher than upload speeds and gaming activities require more downloading than sending data. A minimum of 6Mbps of download speed is recommended by gamers for smooth gameplay.

• Upload Speed

It measures the speed taken to transfer data from the console to the remote server. It’s the complete opposite of what download speed stands for. While sending back information is an integral part of online communication, many people don’t spend significant amounts of data which is why internet plans offer a far slower upload speed than download speed.

• Ping Rate and Latency

Latency is a popular word in every gamer’s dictionary. It refers to the amount of time taken for a signal to travel from the console to the server and back. Latency is also known as ping. And ping rate refers to the time measured. The higher the latency or ping rate, the slower it takes for a response to be recorded and therefore, the more time it takes for the character to make a move in the game.

The latency time should be between 20ms and 50ms. Most gamers are expected to face a ping in this range but overall can enjoy a smooth gaming experience. Any latency time that exceeds 100ms causes intense lagging and disruptions while gaming.

• Data Caps

Many internet users are not generally aware of how data caps can slowly drain their internet service and empty their pockets faster than they could ever imagine. Data cap refers to the data limit you’re allowed to consume in a given time frame. After which when the limit is exceeded, a small amount will be charged.

For high data transfer usage and nominal fees, you can always trust Wave internet plans! The service strongly believes in providing reliable connections for gaming, streaming, and browsing so you’ll always find the right internet plan for gaming with reasonable, or even zero data caps!

• Equipment

The equipment you use plays a major role in your overall gaming experience. The hardware and gaming equipment affects your overall internet speed. Even if you use a strong and fast internet connection with low latency and zero data caps, the quality of your gaming experience will suffer because of the type of hardware you use. Always use wired connections instead of wireless ones for gaming to boost data transfer speed and enjoy much faster and lag-free gameplay!

How Much Speed Do I Need for Online Gaming?

You are most likely to play strategy games, first-person shooter (FPS) games, massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, or role-playing games (RPG).

FPS games require the highest download speed of at least 30Mbps or higher while RPG, MMO, and strategy games work well with a download speed ranging from 2Mbps to 5Mbps.

In Short

Speed and latency go hand in hand when it comes to gaming. So, whatever internet plan and package you pick, plays a major role in making sure you enjoy a lag-free, uninterrupted, and smooth gaming experience!