[Help] Wifi Routers and Online Gaming Latency Issues

[K3yser]

I have a tp-link 54-M Wireless Router that I'm using with my Worldcall 1mb connection, normally with two laptops, one PC (altho max no. of users can go upto 7/8).

Problem is that gaming online, the latency kills me (literally ) it hovers around 200 ms and even jumps to 999 ms on bad days,,, and there's nothing I can do except shout "net band karo saray!!" but by that time its usually too late! So I was wondering if I get a stronger connection (say a 2mb or 4mb) will that help with the in game latency issues? like would that allow approx 1mb (~100kbps) open for my gaming to go thru unscathed?

Some guys've been saying k it'll not help and it all depends on the 'Router Configuration' of your ISP... while i guess you can never have enough bandwidth right guys?

So, any ideas as to whether I should upgrade my connection or not?

 

[LeGenD123]

Several factors can influence latency (constraints of the network). Adding a router to your connection also makes some difference. Remove it and you may experience lower (better) latency.

I assume that you are using a G series router. You need a faster router; an N series router for good gaming experience on Wi-Fi.

Bandwith is not much of an issue. Your connection speed is 1 Mbps. Check the ping rate. Low ping rate will be good for gaming.

Another factor is MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) cap of your network; the size of the packet that your network can accomodate in single pass. If the size of the packet is larger then what your network can allow in single pass then that packet will be fragmented. This can also degrade latency performance.

 

[K3yser]

I tried removing the Router and sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't. I hear your point abt getting a better Router, definately something I hadn't consider before.

Regarding the main query; my question still stand: If I get a better connection, will that be actively taking some load off the main connection. What I mean is someone else accessing utube in 1mb is gonna be different then on 2mb and its subsequent effect on my games??

As to ping rate I normally get around 50-100 with direct connection and 100-200 with wifi router (on good days!).

 

[LeGenD123]

I tried removing the Router and sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't. I hear your point abt getting a better Router, definately something I hadn't consider before.

In your case, then both the router and the network are responsible. However, the router more so.

Regarding the main query; my question still stand: If I get a better connection, will that be actively taking some load off the main connection. What I mean is someone else accessing utube in 1mb is gonna be different then on 2mb and its subsequent effect on my games??

Network speed will certainly improve. However, latency problem may persist because of slow router.

I suggest that you switch to PTCL DSL. And get an N series Router. TP-Link is affordable in this regard.

As to ping rate I normally get around 50-100 with direct connection and 100-200 with wifi router (on good days!).

Yes, this confirms my point that without your router, you will get better latency and ping rate.

 

[K3yser]

Wcall used to be amazing..... at one time there was more then 6 of our friends playing dota and WC3 on hamachi on 512k connection (effectively 56kbps) with barely any lag! and its not like my current machine can't handle the graphics load (i5, HD6670)...

also I've ordered a trail run of PTCL 2mb connection today,,, gonna run it for two three months parallel w Wcall see how that fares against it.

Regarding the N-series router, if ptcl goes smooth then I'll leave it direct dsl.... wifi ka jhagra hi khatam!

---------- Post added at 11:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 AM ----------

thanks for your expert input @LeGenD123

 

[K3yser]

[MENTION=882]LeGenD123[/MENTION]: Ive got ptcl 2mb, Wired router thru phone line, and after some initial f**kups, its running smooth now.

Thing thats bothering me now is this: I'm getting say, 30 servers in MW3 now. On wcall I got like 50% on less than 500 ms ping others on 1199 pings. There was moderate to high lag dont matter where I played.

Now teh situtaiton is I get 80% of servers on 150-300 ms pings, but the gameplay on these is pretty good (you can get decent shots from SMGs/Assault rifles but CANNOT snipe!) Im happy. Tho I was hoping tht my pings'll fall more on the good side of 100ms khair, I'll wait and see for abt two months and then decide.

 

[LeGenD123]

Apparently, your update confirms my point that both of your previous (WorldCall) network and slow router are responsible for poor latency.

PTCL DSL is one of the best broadband services in Pakistan. Hopefully, it should meet your needs.

 

[K3yser]

@LeGenD123 yeah finding that out now... had a VERY decent gaming session last night played SC2 w another ptcl user via hamachi had barely 50-80 ms pings!

surprised myself how much wcall has fallen these days...

 

[Lord Ammar]

Router plays little to no part in latency. At best you're looking at 1-2ms of difference between a really fancy router and a really low end one. N and G will make no difference. N gives greater data throughput and range; it has nothing to do with latency. N can give up to 450mbps where as G is limited to 56mbps, latency plays no part.

What you also need to know is that moving from 1mbps to 2mbps or 4 or even 20mbps will make no difference to latency. Latency is dependent on the trace route between your ISP and the server you're connected to. It also depends on the network quality of the ISP you're using. There's no guarantee moving to PTCL will make things better. When I had PTCL I used to get really bad pings on international servers on TF2.

 

[LeGenD123]

Router plays little to no part in latency. At best you're looking at 1-2ms of difference between a really fancy router and a really low end one. N and G will make no difference. N gives greater data throughput and range; it has nothing to do with latency. N can give up to 450mbps where as G is limited to 56mbps, latency plays no part.

What you also need to know is that moving from 1mbps to 2mbps or 4 or even 20mbps will make no difference to latency. Latency is dependent on the trace route between your ISP and the server you're connected to. It also depends on the network quality of the ISP you're using. There's no guarantee moving to PTCL will make things better. When I had PTCL I used to get really bad pings on international servers on TF2.

Router is like an additional layer over an existing networking connection. Unless, a router is fast and conforms to latest Wi-Fi standards, performance degradation can occur.

This is directly from the affectee:

As to ping rate I normally get around 50-100 with direct connection and 100-200 with wifi router (on good days!).

If your assumption is correct, then connectivity with Wi-Fi router should not have degraded PING perfomance.

 

[HAMMER of THOR]

i have used many routers and none ever made any difference in ping atleast...

 

[LeGenD123]

i have used many routers and none ever made any difference in ping atleast...

Network experience can differ on the basis of many factors.

 

[Ibbu Bhai]

What Legend123 said is absolutly correct bro, but yes from what I observed from this post is that there is a major problem with your Router, and I needed to ask is your Phone Line is okay? I mean does it have any joints or so if yes then it maybe also a reason regarding your ping issue. Lastly one thing more I needed to add that no one has mentioned here that is your area, in simple words the speed of your net and also latency also depends upon your area ISP usage if a particular area is fully crowded than its 100% sure and approved that you'll face many problems regarding your Internet Speeds & Latency, so in that case you can do nothing other than changing your ISP or just bear the pain.