Latency vs. Ping

It can be so frustrating trying to play an online game with friends or watch a live video only for your internet connection to start acting out through lag. A quick glance online will reveal that you are suffering from high latency, some may say that your ping rate is high. If you are not a network geek, some of these terms may confuse you.

We are here to demystify some of these terms for you.

Latency refers to the time it takes for you to send a packet of data to servers and back. If it is taking a long time we say you are experiencing high latency. Lag is quite similar and refers to the delay in arrival of the packet data from the servers to you. Ping is what is used to measure latency. The unit of measurement used is milliseconds.

When you are playing a high intensive game, lag affects you when it takes a long time for you to see results once you have pressed a series of commands. High latency will pose serious challenges when you are playing one person shooter games as there is a delay in execution of your commands. You may find yourself constantly losing games due to lag as these kind of games require prompt and fast action.

There many things that affect your ping rate including the type of connection you are using, bandwidth and the presence of outdated hardware.

When it comes to gaming, the convention is to connect at ping rates of around 20ms (this is considered exceptional). However, the norm are ping rates of between 50ms and 100ms. Anything above 100ms is considered below average and you are going to experience lots of lag during gameplay.

If you choose to play first shooter games or fast paced car games then you need fast response between your console and the servers. Low ping rates will be recommended for this as you need to take fast action.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce high ping rates

Replace Wi-Fi with Ethernet cable

If you are going to be using your internet connection for online gaming then it is recommended that you use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi tends to be subject to lots of interference and congestion. It can even slow down your gameplay if your console is placed at a longer distance from your router.

You should also consider the means through which you are connected to the internet.A wireless connection is prone to interference and would do well for your regular surfing and connections for smart devices.But, for gaming you will need to consider fiber. If this is not visible then consider getting a DSL connection or cable.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

At the end of the day it boils down to the package you have been offered by your ISP. If you are going to be using your router primarily for gaming or streaming live videos then you need to take a careful look at the kind of Ping rates offered by your ISP. ISP offer different features and services that will affect internet reliability and speeds.

Disable anything that hogs your bandwidth

If you want to reduce your ping rate and enjoy low latency then you need to identify all the apps that hog your bandwidth. You may want to turn off your Wi-Fi during intensive gaming then connect to the internet via the Ethernet cable. If you are playing your games through your PC ensure you shut down all your apps that are operating in the background and that you may not necessarily need for gaming.

Find a gaming server

Latency is mainly influenced by the distance a machine is from the nearest server. If it is far then you are going to experience high latency as it takes longer for a packet of data to travel from the source to the servers and back. Luckily for you there are several gaming servers spread out across the world that you can create an account in.

Faulty router hardware

If your PC or router is overheating then expect to experience some lag whenever you are playing high intensive games or streaming live videos. If the router is the one that is overheating, ensure you place it in an aerated location. Also, turn it off for around 15 to 30 minutes. This gives it time to cool off. For your PC you can try cleaning the internal components (dust can cause overheating). It is also good to keep all your router/PC drivers up to date.

Bandwidth and internet speed

Low bandwidth has a direct effect on the ping rate and latency. If you are streaming live videos or using your internet for gaming then it is good you have enough bandwidth for uploading content. Most of the ISPs will give you sufficient information on the amount of bandwidth they supply but very few will give you details on ping rates. You will have to carry out a speed test for this.

While you are searching for the right ISP provider it is prudent you consider the internet speed. If you have a high internet connection speed it means data packets are send and received faster. This means you do not experience lag during high speed games. There are various connection types in the market with fiber, satellite and cable offering high speeds. For gaming purposes try using fiber and cable as they also come with low latency. If you are overcome with multiple options from your ISP we recommend you go for the wired, fixed line connection. Avoid bundled up services where they mix TV, telephony and internet into one package.

How to reduce Ping

Conclusion

If you are experiencing lag during gaming or when streaming live videos try switching your internet connection to fiber, cable or DSL then use a wired Ethernet connection instead of a wireless connection. Gamers also benefit from a host of gaming servers close to them that are spread across the world.

FAQ

What is an optimal latency rate for gaming?

Anything from 100ms to 50ms is considered good while below 20ms it is exceptional

How do I reduce ping latency?

Move closer to your router, restart router, use wired connections for gaming