Having a superfast gaming PC may not guarantee optimal online gaming capabilities. Surprisingly, even with a slower PC but a faster connection, your opponent might have a significant advantage in reacting to your movements and beating you consistently. This applies not only to PC gaming but also to game consoles. Insufficient connection can lead to frustration and salty comments during gameplay.
While it may seem obvious to suggest getting a faster internet connection or choosing the best ISP, we understand that you might have already explored those options. In such cases, there are a few measures you can try to improve your Ethernet or Wi-Fi speed for gaming. Let’s dive in!
1. Switch to cable connection
Opting for an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi, if available, is always advisable. Regardless of the quality of your connection and router, a wired connection ensures consistently faster speeds and lower latency.
To establish this connection, you need to connect your PC or console to the router or local network using an Ethernet cable, sacrificing the convenience of wireless connectivity.
Ensure the utilization of gigabit Ethernet ports capable of handling speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps and up-to-date cables that support high speeds, such as Cat 5e or Cat 6.
2. Choose the best location for your Wi-Fi router
To achieve faster wireless connection speeds, it is important to address physical obstacles like walls and floors. The strength of the connection is influenced by the proximity of your device to the router and the number of devices connected to the Wi-Fi network.
For optimal signal reception, consider placing the router in an open area and central location within your home. It is recommended to position it above most furniture, away from potential interference caused by electronic devices such as microwaves and baby monitors.
Additionally, you can increase the effectiveness of the Wi-Fi signal by positioning the router’s antennas perpendicularly – one horizontal and the other vertical. This alignment ensures better performance when the antenna of your device is parallel to the router’s antenna.
3. Use a VPN
VPN allows you to set the best settings for gaming in terms of traffic routing. A good service can redirect traffic to achieve better ping and Internet speed. Another use of VPN is the ability to change Steam country. Why and how to change the Steam region? The goals of switching Steam regions for gamers are savings on game prices and access to blocked games. To do this, you need to install VeePN and select a local payment method. This could be PayPal with local currency in your wallet or gift cards.
4. Unload the network
To ensure optimal connection speed for online gaming, it is essential to disable bandwidth-consuming background processes and programs on your PC, including web browsers.
Moreover, it is advisable to refrain from downloading files while playing. For maximum performance, consider disconnecting network connectivity on other devices sharing the same connection, although this may not always be practical. The implementation of Quality of Service (QoS) can further alleviate concerns about network interference from other devices.
5. Enable MU-MIMO
MU-MIMO, short for multi-user MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output), optimizes network speed by reducing the waiting time for device signals. This feature is available on modern routers and devices, enabling simultaneous communication with multiple devices.
Unlike traditional Wi-Fi, MU-MIMO allows the router to handle multiple devices at once, increasing the router’s capacity and efficiency for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming and gaming. Compatibility between the router and device is necessary to benefit from MU-MIMO.
6. Enable QoS
Most routers offer a feature called Quality of Service (QoS), allowing you to prioritize specific types of online traffic. Access the router settings, locate the QoS tab, and choose priority for games or connected devices.
Many routers provide Adaptive QoS with pre-defined, drag-and-drop presets such as gaming, media streaming, and web surfing. It also offers Traditional QoS, allowing manual user-defined prioritization for applications and tasks. Additionally, we can utilize Bandwidth limiters to set download and upload speed limits for devices.
To enable QoS on our Asus router, simply click the QoS switch. Next, select the desired mode, preferably Adaptive QoS. Prioritize traffic by arranging the categories in the preferred order. Save the settings, and your QoS function will be activated.
7. Check that you are connecting to the nearest game servers
When considering server location and ping, the choice ultimately rests on the game and your personal preferences. Opt for a game server nearest to your location, such as within your own country or continent.
This selection will greatly improve ping and latency, ensuring quicker communication. Take Dark Souls 3 as an example, where the “Matchmaking” feature allows cross-region connections with players worldwide when enabled. However, when disabled, players from Europe cannot join players from the United States or Asia.
Conclusion
The methods listed will help optimize your Internet for gaming. If possible, these tips will work. Otherwise, you will have to upgrade your hardware or change your provider.
