internet requirements for gaming?

[ik9000]

Until now I've put up with crappy connections and not being able to get on good servers (if at all). I want to join the BF4 for Christmas break. Can someone help with the following:

Is adsl feasible for gaming or do I insist on fibre? We're in london with a very congested exchange and in a flat block that probably has awful wiring going by the state of everything else in the communal + services areas.

How much download allowance should I need for regular evening + weekend gaming fests? Would 100GB a month suffice?

Should I be looking to get something like this Draytek 2920n http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2920.html - would it help over the cheapo default router options?

Is a static IP important/necessary/worth having?

How much do upload speeds matter? Is there a min target upload speed I should be looking to get?

Presumably ping is the real issue, but doubt the ISP will be able/willing to promise that...

[herulach]

BF$ on its own is 25gb, so if you're downloading games you'll blow through that in no time. if you're not its fine. Static IP is pointless, and if its a flat then I imagine stock wifi router will be fine. DSL is fine for gaming, but frustrating if you're trying to download significant stuff. I'd be surprised if you can't get FTTC in london though.

[virtuo]

Ping is important, I usually get between 35 and 50ms ping depending on servers (not what I'd consider "good") and haven't ever had a noticeable problem with fast FPSs such as TF2. I'm only on 20Mb ADSL.


As for bandwidth, I'd say 100Gb a month should be plenty - although if you are downloading game data as well, it might eat in to your allowance. My ISP still does "peak" and "unlimited off peak", so if you are only gaming evenings and weekends it might be worth looking in to a package that gives you unlimited bandwidth during those times. Works out well for me as they are small enough not to be hassled about what you can access, and don't throttle/shape in any way either.

[GeorgeStorm]

Excluding the downloading of games 100gb per month should be more than enough for gaming, as others have said, if you start downloading games you could work your way through that fairly quickly.

You don't need massive bandwidth for good ping, 20mb should be more than enough, although it depends how many other users there are etc.

[Ttaskmaster]

I have a 1.5Mb line from BT, as I live in the middle of nowhere.
I initially had the 40Gb one, but in playing just one game online I went seriously over it every month! However, they do an Unlimited broadband deal, so I went with that.

Pings are about 130 on US servers, 50-60 on German ones.

[Bagnaj97]

Latency/ping is very important, bandwidth... not so much. For gaming I'd honestly prefer a 512kbps <30ms connection to a gigabit connection with high latency. A decent ADSL connection will be perfectly fine if you find fibre too expensive. Plus.net currently have unlimited broadband (adsl) for £2.75 per month for 12 months, providing you also use them for your phone line (£14.50 a month, which you'd be paying BT anyway).

Connection within your home is also important. In my experience Wifi adds at least 10ms to your pings, often much higher. It's well worth using a wired connection, including powerline adaptors if you can't run a cable.

[ik9000]

wired no problem. Have a decent set of mini Gb LAN switches and cat 6 cables of varying lengths.

thanks for the help. Reason for questions is found an ISP who state they might offer 6 month adsl contract - just waiting for them to confirm if that's phone too as don't currently have one (or want one tbh)

not downloading game - patches yes, game will be DVD. I'm old school. Want something physical in me hands.

[mikeo01]

As mentioned ping will be lower for UK servers (what I go for ).

That said the type of router will probably be of no benefit if the allowed downstream and upstream can't satisfy the port bandwidth.

Best bet is to just look around for the best ISP offers. Unlimited download limit is usually not that much more, say Plusnet they do good deals

Plus, every ISP will more or less provide similar speeds if you're restricted by your local lines. "Fibre" can't be promised if your stuck on POTS or DSL; nor the speed.

Could try Plusnet or those similar cheaper ISPs if cost really is a concern. In days of ISP you do pay for the higher end stuff.

[ik9000]

paying more for good connection ok

long contract not ok 6 month max INCLUDING any phone requirement.

no traffic management preferred

anyone know how important upload speed is?

Plus, every ISP will more or less provide similar speeds if you're restricted by your local lines. "Fibre" can't be promised if your stuck on POTS or DSL; nor the speed.

but different ISPs will treat their customers differently. infrastructure limitations aside.

[ik9000]

a little bump - and can anyone say if upload speed/bandwidth matters for gaming?

I have option of a 6 month contract on either:

17Mb ADSL 1Mb up
40Mb FTTC 10Mb up
72Mb FTTC 20Mb up

I'm inclined to go the 40Mb FTTC. Any thoughts/advice?

[Bagnaj97]

a little bump - and can anyone say if upload speed/bandwidth matters for gaming?

I have option of a 6 month contract on either:

17Mb ADSL 1Mb up
40Mb FTTC 10Mb up
72Mb FTTC 20Mb up

I'm inclined to go the 40Mb FTTC. Any thoughts/advice?

For gaming, all would be fine (assuming decent latency). It obviously varies between games, but in general gaming has very low bandwidth requirements. I've had 6M down, 0.7M up for the last 3 years without any problems (moved house and switched to fibre in Sept though).

This page (despite the 90s look!) has an informative table near the bottom containing measured bandwidth from various games and streaming services on consoles. As you can see, gaming has *very* low bandwidth requirements! http://www.veg.nildram.co.uk/bandwidth.htm

[theanalyzer]

a little bump - and can anyone say if upload speed/bandwidth matters for gaming?

I have option of a 6 month contract on either:

17Mb ADSL 1Mb up
40Mb FTTC 10Mb up
72Mb FTTC 20Mb up

I'm inclined to go the 40Mb FTTC. Any thoughts/advice?

17/1 is fine for gaming, but some ISPs say speeds "upto" which means that its the peak speed, not the guaranteed 24/7 speeds. So better off with the 40/10 package I guess.