What internet speed do I need for smooth online gaming?

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**BryllCream**

As above, what internet speed would I need to be sure of running high-spec games completely smoothly?

**HiveFleetPlastic**

Anything broadband should be okay for bandwidth. As long as you're not running on dialup, the bandwidth will be fine. What's more important is having low and particularly stable latency. Things like cable or DSL or whatever will usually be fine at that unless your provider's line is congested. Stuff like "wireless broadband" or satellite may not provide a good gaming experience.

Games are pretty low bandwidth as things go these days, so the stable and low latency is what you have to watch out for as long as you're getting broadband. Alternatively, if you live with other people then what they'll be doing on the connection may be important as that can impact your experience if it's overtaxing it.

**KingCracker**

I used to play MMORPGs some years ago on a 3mbps and almost never had a problem, even in heavily populated areas. Now I have 12mbps, which I really only use to stream with.

**Palindrome**

What games are you playing? MMOs are quite forgiving on slow connections (I played them on dial up for years with no issues) but FPS games absolutely require a good speed, ideally cable.

**Spyder68**

It all depends on your provider.

I would have to disagree that cable is always better.

I have ATT DSL and with a slower download/upload rate then my brothers TIme Warner Cable.
I also have a lower Ping in all games and zero lag.

It all comes down to the quality of connection in your area.

**KingCracker**

I too have ATT DSL and love it. When I had cable, it would drop service all the damn time. I havnt lost service on ATT unless my power went out, which is clearly not their fault

**Super Ready**

Just so we're clear on the technical terms here - unless you kerr-azy Americans have messed with the language again, DSL *IS* cable. At least, one form of it. It's not the fact that broadband is cable that makes it less reliable.

I will say this - definitely use a form of internet access that uses a cable. Don't look at wireless broadband or satellite unless the price is ridiculously cheap, and avoid connecting wirelessly in your own home as well - use an ethernet or USB cable to hook up to a modem or router directly, the connection is much more stable (and usually faster) that way.

Also try to look up the provider and the terms of what's usually called their "traffic management" policy. This means that when the lines get busy, preference is given to specific types of network activity (gaming is usually ok here and it's things like peer-to-peer feeds that get screwed over).

(added) ...just spotted you're in the UK as well! Something you need to be aware of, then... we hardly have any ADSL/DSL providers any more, just about everything you'll come across is broadband. With this in mind, most phone and cable providers run off of BT landlines, with one exception - Virgin Media. If you have a BT line and want to go with Virgin, or vice versa, it'll usually cost you extra to install the line.
Lastly, most providers now offer 10MB as their default low-end connection. This is fine for gaming, but beware if you're living in a densely-populated area like I do, the connection will be prone to drop due to the weight of other Internet traffic nearby from other people.

**Spyder68**

In the US.. or at least around here.

DSL - High Speed Internet through Phone Line.
Cable - High Speed Internet Through Cable TV Provider
Fiber - Fiber connection.

Basically.. Cable downloads and is faster then DSL in many occasions depending on the company, and fiber is best. (IE If you can get google fiber go for it)

With The Except of UVERSE if its available in your area for HIgh Speed over the Phone lines can be comparable to Cable.

**Super Ready**

Understood... thanks for the definition. Here in the UK, our providers typically supply phone, Internet access *AND* TV, all through the same cable bundles if not the very same cables themselves, so there isn't that distinction.
However, there have been more and more fibre-optic services popping up lately and some of these are independently Internet access only.

**Melissia**

Super Ready wrote:
Just so we're clear on the technical terms here - unless you kerr-azy Americans have messed with the language again, DSL *IS* cable.

According to the terminology of the actual internet service providers, Cable and DSL are different services.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Internet_access
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_subscriber_line

A more dedicated explanation of the difference:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-differences-between-dsl-and-cable-internet.htm

Today's online content begs for a high speed Internet connection. The first choice to be made is what type to get, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or cable? Knowing some of the differences between DSL and cable should help you decide which will best serve your needs.

The first difference between DSL and cable is that DSL is delivered over a standard telephone line, while cable requires cable television service. In both cases, the lines can handle other transmissions in addition to Internet service. For example, you can use your telephone to make and receive calls while online with DSL, because DSL utilizes separate frequencies from telephone communications. Similarly, you can watch television while online with cable Internet service.

Before going into the other differences between DSL and cable, note that a DSL subscriber will have to be within a certain distance from a telephone hub to get good DSL service. Therefore, DSL is not available in all areas, though this is becoming less of a problem. Any DSL provider that services your area can tell by your telephone number whether you are eligible for DSL service.

DSL and cable packages vary in price according to speed. DSL entry plans feature speeds up to 768 kilobits per second (kbps), while more competitive plans range from 1.5 megabits per second (mbps) to 3.0 mbps. Cable plans typically range from 1.5 megabits per second (mbps) to 5.0 mbps.

An advantage of DSL service is that your speed remains the same, no matter how many people are using the service. With cable Internet service, the number of users in your local area can affect bandwidth availability and result in slow service. Your personal experience is dependent upon the number of active users at any given time.

There’s another significant difference between DSL and cable service. While major DSL providers have introductory prices as low as $14 US dollars (USD) plus change per month (for the slowest plan), cable Internet service tends to be three to four times more expensive because their plans are faster than these introductory DSL plans. The low introductory DSL price is for new subscribers in most cases and requires a one-year contract, but it’s a great deal when moving from dial-up. Even for mid-range plans, DSL tends to be cheaper than cable. For high-speed plans cable typically becomes cheaper, though offers vary regionally and DSL technology is evolving to compete at higher speeds.

Cable Internet service, however, can offer something DSL cannot. Cable services can save you money with digital packages that include cable television, Internet service and digital phone service in a single bill. For some people with large phone bills, the savings can offset the 'higher' cost of cable Internet service. The best option is to check into both DSL and cable services in your area and see what each has to offer.

Both DSL and cable Internet service require a broadband modem. In many cases, the service provides a preconfigured modem free of charge, to be returned at the cancellation of service. You are also welcome to supply your own broadband modem.

If consolidating your phone, cable television and Internet service doesn’t interest you, DSL service will likely be less expensive. Luckily, both DSL and cable provide a welcome relief from far slower dial-up service, so you'll win either way.

**BryllCream**

I had fibre-optic at university. 50Mb/s, the download speeds were phenominal. Looking around the different companies they're all identical. All the information is very hard to find, and they redundant gak in there with technical information. I just need to know the speed and make sure there's no download limits, the very idea of which I find grotesque.

**Super Ready**

Melissia wrote:
According to the terminology of the actual internet service providers, Cable and DSL are different services.

Sorry, but you've completely missed the point. What you've stated may be true in the US. However, the original poster and I are in the UK and the providers use different terms. True DSL services here are all but lost in the past now.

BryllCream, I've not gone to fibre-optic yet so I can't advise you who's best there. However, I can tell you that Sky offer an "Unlimited" package that their Fair Use policy most specifically does not apply to, so there are no download size limits whatsoever.

**Melissia**

Super Ready wrote:
Sorry, but you've completely missed the point.

You never had a point.

If you actually read the pages I linked to, you'd realize that there are actual factual differences between the two concepts. Also, a quick google search shows me that you are wrong about the usage of the terms internationally, so I would like you to provide some proof of your assertions.

**Soladrin**

BryllCream wrote:
I had fibre-optic at university. 50Mb/s, the download speeds were phenominal. Looking around the different companies they're all identical. All the information is very hard to find, and they redundant gak in there with technical information. I just need to know the speed and make sure there's no download limits, the very idea of which I find grotesque.

That's some terrible fibre-optic you had there.

I get 60mb/s on DSL.

Anyway. I think anything around 10mb/s would do for online gaming.

**Super Ready**

I'm trying not to be confusing in terms that will help the original poster. Even proper DSL services here are still marketed as broadband.

**Melissia**

You are wrong, then. DSL is not Cable, and in insisting that it is so you are doing nothing but confusing yourself and others.

**Soladrin**

Sorry Mel, but he's not. Cable and DSL are both marketed as broadband here too (or ADSL here). Trying to slap those names on it for no other reason then to prove someone wrong isn't helping anyone.

**Bullockist**

for most games latency is what matters, it doesn't matter how big the size of the pipe if the flow is slow (or more correctly takes a long time to clear the pipe). One thing that matters a lot to me is where the servers are located (for the gaming server). On several different games my net connection although being the same one has had entirely different results.

Being in the UK you shouldn't have too many problems , however how old the copper network is can severely impact on speed of adsl, also how good the copper connections are can also have a huge impact. I once used a adsl connection that worked better in the rain due to the water around.

**Melissia**

Soladrin wrote:
Sorry Mel, but he's not. Cable and DSL are both marketed as broadband here too (or ADSL here). Trying to slap those names on it for no other reason then to prove someone wrong isn't helping anyone.

That is not what was said in the post that I responded to.

I quote the relevant portion:

Super Ready wrote:
DSL *IS* cable.

A factually incorrect and misleading statement. DSL and Cable are two separate services, they are not the same. I have very clearly demonstrated this, and you have provide no evidence to the contrary.

**Bullockist**

Please don't make arguments about the poster. Keep them on subject.

**Super Ready**

My original point was that DSL is provided via *a* cable. Perhaps I could have put this better...but the original point was that DSL isn't less reliable because it's a cable. At that point, wireless and satellite options were still in the frame.

Specifically for gaming in the UK - you will not notice a performance or reliability difference between DSL (if you find it) and true "cable". With the possible exception of downloading big patches, because then DSL's limits come into play.

So yes there is a difference. But for what the original poster asked for its irrelevant and as I was trying to point out before, not helpful and even possibly confusing.

**Melissia**

Super Ready wrote:
My original point was that DSL is provided via *a* cable.

Pointless pedantry. Might as well say an axe is an arrow because they both have sharp edges.

**Soladrin**

It's all just words man, we gave them meaning man. It doesn't mean anything man!!!

/hippymode

**KingCracker**

Oh look its Melissia, making the forums an even greater annoyance 1 post at a time. Way to add to the topic there Mel