Posted August 24th, 2011 and last modified January 14th, 2013
There is no doubt that the advent of online gaming changed the landscape of computer and console games forever, and as the systems, technology and connections advance, you can enjoy more interactive, more realistic and more challenging plays. However, to make sure you get the most out of your gaming, and have the best opportunity for the perfect kill shot or the time to duck for cover, you need to have the best broadband connection for your gaming needs.All of your skills as an online gamer will come to nothing if your broadband connection isn't optimised, which is why you need the following tips and information on how to choose the best broadband internet plan for online gaming.
Top Heavy Usage Broadband Plans
The Best Speed for Online Gaming
As broadband internet and download speeds improve, so too do the games and functions available to you. Therefore, you want to be able to take advantage of these new speeds and features, and so you will need a fast internet connection. But how fast is fast, and how do your needs change across your chosen field of battle?Well, for any type of online gaming you need to go straight to a broadband connection, dial up just doesn't compete, and neither will you. If you are on the battle field, playing games such as World of Warcraft then your internet connection will need to be faster than if you were playing a game like Second Life. Then if you are into first person shooter games such as Call of Duty you're going to need a faster connection again.When it comes to the type of broadband connection, you can choose from cable, DSL, satellite or wireless, where cable and DSL broadband connections are recommended by game manufacturers for optimum performance. You can still get in the game on a slower connection such as wireless or satellite, but your experience will be very different. With a slower connection you can experience lag, so your character doesn't respond immediately, and you can miss a perfect shot. Therefore, because of the amount of information being uploaded and downloaded in most online games, you need the fastest connection option.A good starting speed is 8 megabits per second (mbps) which is the speed of an average ADSL connection. You will find this connection will do the job, but if you want to truly excel at your gaming, go for an ADSL2+ broadband connection which is at least 20 mbps when it leaves the exchange. This may sound like a lot of data allowance but just because you have an 8 mbps allowance, it doesn't always mean you're getting all of that speed as connection speed can be affected by network congestion, and how far away you are from your local exchange.
The Best Computer Speed for Online Gaming
However, it is not just your broadband connection which will determine your gaming speed, you also need a fast and powerful computer. While many super serious gamers will spend thousands of dollars building their machine from scratch, you can buy a pre-built machine which will allow you to compete online at high speeds.
remember to check out the requirements of the games you're interested in
Most PC online game manufacturers recommend a computer with a processor of at least 2.8Ghz, which you'll find in computers like the Intel Core 2 i5/i7. Most Intel processors available today are Dual-Core, however you should purchase a Quad-Core to ensure your games will keep running smoothly. When it comes to choosing the RAM you need in your computer, look at the recommendations from the games you play the most. For example, Second Life recommends a minimum of 1GB while World of Warcraft suggests you have at least 4GB. Keep in mind that many online games don't run on a Mac so before you go upgrading your hardware and connections, make sure you're compatible.In addition you will also need to make sure you have enough space on your computer hard drive to install and run your chosen game, as well as have the required sound and graphic cards to make sure your games look their best, for example Blizzard recommends a 512MB graphics card. Therefore, remember to check out the requirements of the games you're interested in, as each manufacturer will recommend a minimum requirement.
How to set up the Best Internet Connection for PS3 Online Gaming
If you prefer to play on a games console rather than a computer then you can apply these tips to improving your connection speed and enhancing your online gaming experience when you play with a community of other PlayStation users. The following video takes you step by step through the process of transforming your PlayStation from just another games console, into an entertainment hub:
Perfect Gaming Internet Connection Guide PS3
To get your PlayStation ready for online gaming you will need:
An Ethernet broadband connection. This ensures you at least 512 Kbps, and if you don't have a broadband connection contact your internet service provider for an upgrade because you will need the faster speeds for the best online gaming. Also tell your internet service provider than you will be using your broadband connection with your PlayStation for online gaming and they will be able to recommend the best router for your connection and your console.
A broadband modem. You will want to connect your PlayStation to your broadband modem using an Ethernet cable to optimise the connection speed and quality in the same way you can on your PC.
A networked PlayStation. You will need a console with a built in network connector or an external Network Adaptor so check that your PlayStation has a port on the back labelled Network.
A memory card. Your PlayStation will probably come with an 8MB memory card so make sure that you have at least 100KB of free space for smooth installation and game play.
Network access code. You will need the network access code to connect to your game's network and most games will guide you through the process. You'll find the access code on the registration booklet which came with your console. You will then need to enter the model number and serial number of your PlayStation to complete the registration process.
Common Online Gaming Connection Issues
Even when you do everything right when matching up your system requirements to the recommendations on the box of your favourite game, you can still experience slow down when you're playing. Lag is the Achilles heel of every online gamer and if you're lucky to have never experienced it, it will slow you down like this:
Online Game Lag Examples
While you're connected to the internet during an online game you also need to be sure to keep your connection secure because not only will viruses make their way into your system and slow down your entire computer, you also put your personal information at risk and you could be the victim of fraud.
How to Deal with Lag in your Online Games
You could be experiencing lag in your online gaming for a number of reasons, and there are several quick adjustments you can make to your computer which may be able to solve the problem:
How to Remove Lag for Online Games
If you are still experiencing lag in your games after following the tips in the video you may need to try the following:
Stop all PC downloads and shut down sharing applications. If you use a file sharing program such as Bit Torrent then it will be using up all of the bandwidth yo
