What are optimal internet configurations for playing online games?
What are optimal internet configurations for playing online games?
I was experiencing lag in an FPS game on the first PC I built. I'm unsure if the issue is related to the internet or my computer. Are these typical values acceptable for gaming?
PC Specifications
Motherboard: MSI B650 EDGE WiFi ATX
CPU: Ryzen 5 7600X
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken 360
RAM: Corsair Vengance RGB DDR5-5600 32GB CL40 Dual Channel
SSD-1: Corsair Force MP600 CORE XT SSD 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2
SSD-2: Samsung 870 EVO SSD 1TB 2.5'' SATA 600
Power Supply: Corsair RM750, recently purchased and approximately 8-9 months old
Case: NZXT H9 Elite
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Storage Usage: Disk C is 80% occupied, Disk D is 5% occupied. No peripherals connected; primarily plays Apex Legends and Overwatch.
Use Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and Process Explorer (Microsoft, free) to track system performance.
Check these tools one by one while working or gaming.
The goal is to better understand how your system functions during gameplay.
Finding what causes lag will take some time and effort.
The reported download and upload speeds mainly depend on the service level offered by your ISP.
But the issue might stem from a faulty network component or incorrect settings.
Monitor network activity closely.
If you notice specific problems with certain games, PC Gaming experts can offer advice.
First, pinpoint exactly when and where the lag happens.
Speedtest offers limited value when playing online games. It often indicates speeds around 1mbps, which doesn’t significantly improve performance or speed. It mainly suggests you can run other applications simultaneously without affecting the game’s performance.
Speedtest displays latency figures that are less useful. They reflect connection to the speedtest server rather than the actual game server. It also measures performance under full network load, which is unlikely when playing a game.
Games depend more on consistent latency than raw bandwidth. The timing between data packets is crucial for keeping the client and server synchronized. Inconsistent latency causes noticeable lag, sometimes resulting in teleportation effects.
The most reliable test involves using a ping command. Open multiple Command Prompt windows: one to ping your router’s IP address and another to ping a known public IP such as 8.8.8.8. Check the results quickly—look for packet loss or large latency spikes. Normal variations are around 10-30ms, while significant changes should be noted.
In most scenarios, issues with your router won’t appear unless you’re on Wi-Fi. It’s common to experience latency spikes on Wi-Fi networks. If you encounter problems with 8.8.8.8 but not with your router, it usually points to a broader internet connectivity problem.
If the game servers themselves show issues, it might indicate a problem beyond your local network—such as an issue between ISPs, data centers, or server infrastructure. It’s advisable to test directly with the game provider if possible. Even if you find a problem on 8.8.8.8, fixing it may require contacting a more advanced ISP technician rather than just adjusting router settings.