Internet connection speed is vital to winning a game online. After all, can you win a game with a connection that pauses every time you are about to fire at your enemy? There are three crucial aspects of the internet connection that make it ideal for gaming; they are upload speed, download speed, and ping rate. These aspects vary from game to game: some need higher download speeds while others require faster uploading speeds.
However, if you have a connection with download and upload speeds of 3 Mbps and 1 Mbps, respectively, and ping rate under 150 ms, you will be able to play most of the popular online games without any issues. Remember that these numbers are for single players. If you have multiple people in the same connection, you will have to multiply these numbers with the number of people. The following are some of the most popular online gaming devices and the optimum speeds you need to play each one of them.
Xbox One
Xbox One is one of the most popular online gaming devices and is a product of Microsoft. It is much loved for 4K gaming and an innovative all-in-one entertainment system. It needs a download speed of at least 3 Mbps and an upload speed of 0.5 Mbps. The maximum allowable ping rate is 150 milliseconds.
Playstation 4
Playstation 4 or PS4 is an eighth-generation home video game console from the house of Sony. It is the world’s best selling console and is well known for its lighter and slimmer design. According to the user manual of this console, you need a broadband connection to use it. You require 3 Mbps of download speed and 1 Mbps of upload speed along with a ping rate under 150 milliseconds.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console developed by Nintendo. It can be used as a portable device as well as a home console and comes with features like standard buttons, directional analog sticks, user input, tactile feedback, and motion sensing.
Nintendo Switch does not come with recommended speeds, but as you start using it, the system will ask you questions regarding the download and upload system. They have to be 3 Mbps and 1 Mbps, respectively, or you will have to upgrade your connection. 3 Mbps and 1 Mbps can be therefore considered standard internet speeds for Nintendo Switch. It will be ideal to find the ping rate under 150 milliseconds, similar to other popular gaming consoles.
Nintendo Wii U
Nintendo Wii U needs lesser speeds as compared to Nintendo Switch. This requires 1.5 Mbps for downloads and 1 Mbps for uploads. These speeds make it easy to play on Nintendo Wii U without worrying much about the internet speeds.
The speed mentioned above limits for gaming consoles is their minimum limits. You will always need more than that to play your preferred game without any interruptions. However, it is safe to say that the ideal speeds for any right online gaming console fall between 3-6 Mbps for download and 0.75 to 1 Mbps for uploads. A ping rate between 100-150 milliseconds works just fine with them.
One important thing you need to remember with online gaming is that wireless systems are less reliable than hard-wired internet connections. If you would like to take up hardcore gaming, ask your internet provider to help you with a broadband connection and, if possible, arrange for a backup for the days the broadband may be experiencing issues.
