Why Cable Internet Is Best for Gaming
Online gaming is a speed-intensive task that requires access to a stable internet connection. Whether you are playing a single-player or a multiplayer game, it is crucial to have an internet connection that does not disrupt by physical obstructions or other interferences. If you are thinking, “Which type of internet connection is suitable for gaming?” The answer is, cable internet!
Your internet connection type determines the quality of your gaming experience. Here are some of the factors related to your internet connection that play an important role in online gaming:
Speeds
Your upload and download speeds refer to the time it takes to push and pull data between your device and the internet. They are measured in Mbps (megabits per second) and Gbps (gigabits per second).
When it comes to upload speed, you can play games with speeds as low as 1 Mbps. However, if you like to stream your games on Twitch, an upload speed that ranges from 5 to 10 Mbps will be ideal for you.
On the other hand, you need to have download speeds of up to 3 Mbps for gaming. The higher speeds you have, the more data will transmit per second, which indicates that you will have a smooth gaming experience.
Compared to other connection types, cable internet provides exactly what you need. Online gaming does not require you to sign up for a gigabit plan. Therefore, you can play all sorts of video games and stream them on Twitch without paying for a fiber internet connection. On the other hand, fiber internet delivers ultrafast speeds at prices that are much higher than how much you pay for cable internet. Since you can seamlessly carry out tasks with cable internet, such as online gaming and streaming at much lower speeds. With fiber internet, you will end up paying for speeds you don’t need.
With Spectrum Internet, you get speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. This means that you can play online games without experiencing internet slowdowns. Starting from $49.99 per month (for 12 months), it does not require you to sign annual contracts. This way, you can cancel your subscription to its internet plan without paying early termination fees (ETFs).
Internet Plan | Maximum Upload Speed | Maximum Download Speed | Price | Features |
Spectrum Internet Gig | 35 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | $89.99 per month (for 12 months) | Suitable for large households
Connects up to 10 devices Ideal for connected homes |
Spectrum Internet Ultra | 20 Mbps | 400 Mbps | $69.99 per month (for 12 months) | Ideal for large households
Connects 5-7 devices at the same time Best for attending video conferences, downloading large files, playing online games, and streaming in HD |
Spectrum Internet Standard | 10 Mbps | 200 Mbps | $49.99 per month (for 12 months) | Best for small households
Connects up to 4 devices simultaneously Suitable for working from home, browsing the web, and streaming movies and TV shows |
Ping and Latency
“Ping” refers to the speed at which your internet connection sends a response to your request. Similarly, “latency” refers to the time taken to transmit data from its source to its destination.
Your network latency matters more than the upload and download speeds you get. With lower latency, you will have a seamless gaming experience. You need to ensure that your latency ranges between 75 and 100 milliseconds. Spectrum offers an internet connection with the lowest latency, compared to other internet providers.
Similarly, your ping rates determine your moves. If you have a lower ping, your moves will register faster than your opponents’ will. However, if your ping rates go higher, you may find it difficult to play fighting games. Therefore, it is best to have ping rates as low as possible.
If you are using a wired connection, your router and gaming console will be placed in the same room. This ensures that your ping rates will be on the lower side if you have a cable internet connection.
Ping Rate for Gaming
Ping rate | Quality of your gaming experience |
More than 100 ms | Poor with lots of lag |
40 ms to 100 ms | Good with little lag |
1 ms to 40 ms | Excellent with no lag |
Router
The capabilities of your router have an impact on your gaming experience. The quality of service tools helps in managing network traffic while gaming. This way, you get lower latency even during peak hours of internet usage. On the other hand, Ethernet connections deliver fast speeds because they use a cable that directly connects to your device.
Wrapping Up
Your internet connection influences your online gaming activities. With cable internet, you can play competitive games without encountering speed issues. Moreover, you will have a stable internet connection that does not disrupt due to physical obstructions. So, go ahead and subscribe to cable internet!