I'm a passionate gamer and recently got an Xbox Series S. I've noticed I only get around 20 Mbps most of the time, but it sometimes drops to 2 Mbps or even 500 Kbps. Should I upgrade my internet plan to fix this?
5 Answers
Latency is actually more critical for gaming than bandwidth. People used to play FPS games on much slower connections, like dial-up, so you might be okay if your latency is low. But if you're experiencing a lot of lag, it could be worth looking into a better internet plan or checking your connection quality.
You might not need a faster internet plan since online gaming typically uses less data than you think. Offline games should run just fine with your current speed. However, if you're facing lags, it could indicate that your connection isn't stable. Make sure you're getting the speed you're paying for from your Internet Service Provider before considering an upgrade.
I mainly play Elden Ring, and I feel like every millisecond counts during gameplay!
Twenty Mbps is generally enough for gaming, but those sudden drops can be a hassle. Going wired will definitely help reduce those spikes and give you a more stable connection.
Got it! Just need to figure out which brand of ethernet cable is best.
Honestly, if you're asking if you need a better plan, I'd suggest you actually need an ethernet cable to get a solid connection. That could really improve your gaming experience.
I don't have an ethernet outlet in my room, though.
You should be fine as long as you're not running multiple devices on the same connection at once. Low latency with a stable internet connection is key. If you go for an ethernet setup, just make sure it fits your needs as I bet it will help a lot!
If I decide to get an ethernet setup, what brand of cable should I look for?
I've got friends who download games in just a couple of hours at 300 Mbps. It's frustrating waiting for two days while I only get 20 Mbps!