Online gaming and live game streaming have quickly gained popularity as a professional employment option among young people. If you enjoy gaming, you are probably aware of the importance of a lag-free gaming experience. However, for a smooth online gaming experience, you must have fast internet and the right router.

Computer gaming necessitates the best technology, and gamers are on the lookout for that strategic advantage that can be the difference between times of adversity. Networking equipment platform is frequently overlooked in favour of the rig itself. To guarantee seamless game experience in today's modern multiplayer games, a suitable network is required. Without these performance improvements, the game will provide excessive amounts of lag and dropouts, resulting in distress in all of its high resolution and explosive glory.

Ping & bandwidth: How fast is your internet service?

Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the size of data transfer, not the rate at which data is transmitted. Latency is used to calculate transfer speed. And latency is synonymous with "delay." As a result, speed and bandwidth complement each other. The wider the pipe, the less time there will be between loading webpages and transferring files. This is one of the reasons you don't want people using your WiFi without your permission. People who hack your WiFi for free Internet use up your bandwidth as well. This can be very costly in some cases.

Latency:Latency is the amount of time it takes for a data packet to travel from point A to point B. Together, bandwidth and latency define a network's speed and capacity. Latency is typically expressed in milliseconds and can be measured using your computer's ping command. When you use the ping command, a small data packet (usually 32 bytes) is sent to another machine, and the round-trip time is measured in milliseconds. The ping command calculates the time it takes a data packet to leave the source computer, travel to the destination computer, and return to the source computer. The bandwidth is measured in bits per second. It is the amount of data that can be transferred in a single second. Obviously, the larger the pipe, the more bits per second can be transferred. Furthermore, if your bandwidth is congested, your latency (delay) increases.

Ping: In gaming, ping refers to the time it takes between a player's input and the server's response to those inputs. Lag is a spike in the amount of time it takes for an action from your game to reach the game server and be registered, or for a message from the game server to reach your device. This delay is known as ping, and a lower ping means less delay and a smoother gameplay experience.

Speed You Need for Gaming:

Minimum internet speed requirements for gaming are typically 10 Mbps if no one else in the house uses your bandwidth. Unfortunately, slower internet plans such as these can not offer you the pace of upload you need for consistently good experience.

If you're the only one at home, a 25 Mbps internet service plan is recommended for smooth gaming. However, pace is not the only thing that matters in gaming: ping and latency play a role as well. We recommend purchasing a 100 Mbps internet plan for a smooth gaming experience.

Tips to Optimise your Internet for Gaming:

1. Upgrade your connection

   Upgrading to a higher plan gives everybody a little more space for breathing and less risk that one will want to hog the bandwidth over the other. Streaming or streaming video can be bandwidth-intensive and can reduce the pace you get when you play. It also makes it easier to manage unforeseen changes, whether it's system updates or new game patches.

2. Get the right hardware

   With the need for a reliable, safe and low latency broadband connection, serious players would take advantage of a wired connection. In the vast majority of instances, CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet cables would be more secure and provide less interference. If you've got a lot of CAT5e lying around, use that. However, CAT6 provides less interference over longer distances than CAT5e does.

3. Router Quality of Service (QoS)

   Quality of Service is a router feature that gives priority to data packets for particular connected devices. It comes in handy when you have several users on the network, all of them performing network-intensive activities. With QoS allowed, you can use the network to prioritise your gaming PC or console over other devices. This forces your router to manage gaming data first before you think about anything else.

4. Keep drivers updated

   Drivers and firmware have a nasty habit of getting in the worst way, and they're too simple to verify. They're discreet though, which sometimes makes them forget. Check for updates on a regular basis so you don't get surprised when something unexpectedly stops working or when it starts causing a pause by installing a blue update.

Choosing a higher internet speed tier allows you to transmit more data, giving you more flexibility and reducing the likelihood of other network limits affecting your game. We recommend speed packages with download rates of 300 Mbps or more for the best gaming experience.

Best Router Settings for Gaming

Your modem has an impact on your internet gaming experience. If you have an old modem that can't keep up or keep you connected, your internet speed suffers.

Check out these best router settings, tips, and tweaks for gaming if you're undergoing connection problems, lag, or other online gaming issues.

• Use Gigabit Ethernet Ports:

  If at all possible, always choose Ethernet over Wi-Fi when gaming. While gaming on strong Wi-Fi is usually adequate, it sacrifices speed and latency for the convenience of not having to connect to a cable. If your router is too far away from your gaming machine to be reached by cable, consider using powerline adapters. These allow you to transfer internet data using your home's standard power outlets. They come in pairs; plug one near your router and the other near your console or PC, then connect the adapters to your router and system with an Ethernet cable.

• Use Modern Wi-Fi Standards:

  Almost every modern router is dual-band, which means it can operate on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. 5GHz networks are more reliable than older 2.4GHz bands, but they have a shorter range. Some older devices only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, but newer devices can use 5GHz, so a dual-band model is essential. If you must use Wi-Fi for gaming, make sure your system supports the 5GHz band.

• Optimise Your Wireless Channel:

  Interference can occur on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, but it is much more common on the 2.4GHz band. In the United States, the 2.4GHz band can only broadcast on 11 channels, only three of which are non-overlapping. Because the 2.4GHz band is so close to that of other common household devices, such as microwaves and baby monitors, you can pick up interference from non-Wi-Fi devices as well.

• Have Sufficient CPU and RAM:

  If your router's CPU is weak, it may be unable to handle high network demand. Games don't typically send a lot of data on their own, but when you factor in the constant data influx of video streams, file downloads, video chat, and other usage from multiple connected devices, a weaker router may struggle to keep up. If your computer and smartphone are the only devices on the network, a less expensive router may suffice. However, if you have dozens of tablets, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and other IoT devices, a fast CPU should be a top priority.

• MU-MIMO

  If your connectivity serves a wide range of devices, MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) is an essential feature. As previously stated, it is widespread for different individuals to be using high-bandwidth applications while you attempt to play games.