Internet speed for gaming: No-lag playbook

Each person gaming online needs at least 25 Mbps to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps to 20 Mbps upload speeds. The type of game, the number of players and devices involved and internet latency will be your most significant concerns when selecting an internet speed for gaming.

For the best gaming experience, we recommend Gigabit internet on a cable or fiber connection with a dedicated gaming router to prioritize network traffic and optimize performance.

In this article, we’ll look at the different speeds available to help you determine the best speed for your gaming needs.

Remember, these are minimum speed requirements and the needs of specific devices can vary based on the type of game.

To maximize internet speeds for the best gaming performance, connect your devices directly to the router using an Ethernet cable or, better yet, get a gaming router. A dedicated gaming router with quality of service (QoS) settings can help reduce lag, prioritize gaming traffic and improve latency.

Mobile gamers can improve mobile data speeds by adjusting their device settings and optimizing data usage for a smoother gaming experience.

Let’s break down what different internet speed ranges can help you achieve.

Internet speeds in this range are known as Gigabit internet speeds, which support multiple users, devices and bandwidth-heavy activities simultaneously.

For example, in a household with six users, a Gigabit connection provides enough speed and bandwidth to support tasks such as:

• • Users A and B are gaming online on separate consoles: 200 Mbps
  • User C is on VR gaming: 400 Mbps
  • User D is streaming 4K content on a desktop: 100 Mbps
  • User E is gaming on a mobile device: 10 Mbps

Aside from gaming, other activities might be taking place in the background, such as:

• • Six devices are streaming content at 25 Mbps each: 150 Mbps
  • Users E and F are working online from home: 200 Mbps
  • Smart devices connected: 100 Mbps

Altogether, these tasks require around 1.16 Gbps. To account for unexpected guests, increased gaming demands or other additional online activities, consider higher speeds like 1.5 Gbps to handle these activities sufficiently.

An internet connection with this speed range is enough to handle moderate gaming requirements.
For example, in a household of three to five users, this range can support the following tasks:

• • User A playing on a gaming console: 100 Mbps
  • User B and C gaming on a separate PCs: 40 Mbps
  • User C live streaming 4K content: 100 Mbps

In the background, other activities using the internet may include:

• • User D working from home: 100 Mbps
  • Four devices streaming music and videos at 25 Mbps each: 100 Mbps
  • User E learning remotely: 25 Mbps
  • Smart devices connected: 100 Mbps

These tasks add up to 565 Mbps. If you are concerned about multiple users, devices or increased activities straining your internet, consider Gigabit internet plans to accommodate additional users or tasks when needed.

A 100 Mbps internet connection can handle some gaming activities for one or two users in a household.

With 100 Mbps speeds, you can:

• • Download game files and updates.
  • Play online multiplayer or RPGs at a moderate pace.
  • Stream some gameplay content to audiences.

Consider higher speed plans if you’re a competitive gamer or professionally stream 4K and 8K gaming content to audiences. Wired connections like fiber can provide fast symmetrical speeds and bandwidth that offer stability and low latency needed to enhance your gaming experience and that of your audience.

In live streaming, upload speed is critical because data is transmitted from your device(s) to the streaming server. A strong upload speed determines how reliable, clear and audible your stream is to your online audience.

However, upload speed is not the only essential factor. Cloud gaming platforms, such as NVIDIA GeForce Now, require 45 Mbps download for 4K resolution, 35 Mbps for QHD and FHD and 15 to 25 Mbps for HD streaming. They also require latency to be under 80ms from an NVIDIA data center, but recommend less than 40ms for the best streaming experience.

Professional streamers and students streaming full-time can achieve high streaming quality with a symmetrical internet connection that delivers equal download and upload speeds. For example, a 600 Mbps internet plan provides 600 Mbps download and 600 Mbps upload speeds.

Symmetrical speeds give streamers the bandwidth needed for smooth, high-quality gameplay and real-time interaction on platforms like Twitch, YouTube and Discord.

Deciding on which speed to choose depends not only on your gaming requirements but also on where you live. The internet connection type, bandwidth demands and WiFi coverage can differ between staying in an apartment or a house.

Apartment setups are smaller, with one to four users, making WiFi coverage more accessible. Choosing the best internet speed for your gaming needs in an apartment is dependent on a few factors, including:

• Number of users and devices: For one to four users, a 300 to 600 Mbps internet speed is usually sufficient. If you have multiple devices per person and frequently have guests, higher speed tiers may be necessary.
• Distance from the router: Place your WiFi setup centrally to ensure every room has even coverage.
• Available provider options: Options may include cable, fiber or 5G home internet for fast speeds, though some apartment buildings may still be limited to older DSL lines. Always confirm with the property owner and local providers to understand which internet options are available.
• Network congestion: Apartments often share broadband infrastructure within the same building, which can lead to congestion and slower speeds during peak hours.

If you are moving to a new apartment, check out Astound’s guide on how to set up your internet and WiFi in a new apartment

Houses generally hold more users and devices connected to the internet at once, increasing demand on the network. Consider the following factors when selecting an ideal speed:

• Number of users and devices connected: Consider a high speed Gigabit internet plan to handle multiple users sufficiently.
• Home size and layout: Large houses may have WiFi dead zones with poor internet coverage. Consider introducing a mesh WiFi router to expand your WiFi coverage and improve access across every room.
• Available provider options: In urban and suburban areas, you may have access to faster fiber, cable or fixed wireless internet. Rural homes, however, often rely more on satellite for connectivity. Reviewing provider availability in your area ensures you choose the best option for speed and reliability.

If you’re moving into a house, check out Astound’s guide on how to set up internet and WiFi in your house.

Is WiFi interference slowing your internet speeds? Here are a few tips to optimize and maximize your home’s high speed internet performance.

A slow internet speed can cause less responsive character movements or poor stream quality when gaming and streaming online. Fortunately, there are several ways you can optimize your WiFi speeds to improve your internet speeds for gaming.

Three ways to optimize your WiFi speeds include:

• 1. Position your router strategically
     Place your router centrally in your home to improve WiFi coverage and reduce dead zones. For larger homes, consider Astound’s eero mesh WiFi system, which uses nodes strategically placed across your home for a Whole Home WiFi experience.
  2. Upgrade to faster internet
     If multiple users are online simultaneously, upgrading to a Gigabit internet plan ensures you have enough bandwidth and faster download and upload speeds to handle gaming and other bandwidth-heavy activities simultaneously. Faster speeds reduce packet loss and lag spikes, keeping your gameplay consistent.
  3. Power cycle your internet equipment
     Restarting your modem and router regularly clears blocked channels and helps reduce internet traffic issues. Power cycling resets the connection between your devices and the network, lowering latency and troubleshooting common performance problems.

Choosing the right internet speed for gaming depends on the type of games you play, your setup and the number of devices and users in your household. While most games can get by with 25 to 100 Mbps download and 5 to 20 Mbps upload speeds, competitive gamers and streamers often need higher Mbps or Gigabit speeds to ensure low latency and high bandwidth.

Wired broadband connections, like cable and fiber, remain the most reliable for gaming, offering consistent speeds, reduced lag and minimal disruptions compared to fixed wireless, satellite and mobile hotspots. Furthermore, pairing your plan with a gaming router, optimizing the router’s settings and configuring your home network’s security improves both performance and safety.

For households with heavy gaming demands, Astound’s fiber-powered Gig plans deliver fast speeds, consistent performance and secure coverage to ensure you have a smooth and safe gaming