High Speed Internet for Online Gaming

by Johnny Kilhefner , Demand Media

High-speed Internet allows gamers to get the most out of their games.

Several factors affect how you play online games, particularly how fast you connect to the game over other users. These factors may include your HDTV's response time, for instance, or your computer's specifications. The leading factor of optimal online gaming, however, is directly related to your Internet connection. Without a decent Internet hook-up, the minimal delay of your HDTV and processing power of your CPU are worthless in providing a lag-free experience.

Fiber-Optic

Fiber-optic Internet currently offers the fastest Internet speeds around, providing 20 Mbps for downloads and 5 Mbps for uploads. Companies such as Verizon, Comcast and ATT offer a fiber-optic network. Verizon FiOS touts its service as the only provider of in-home fiber-optic connections. ATT only brings an "at-the-box" fiber-optic connection, rather than installing directly in your home.

Cable

The next fastest Internet connection is a cable connection. While not quite as fast as fiber-optics, cable connections are more readily available than fiber-optic connections, making it the preferred connection of those living in rural areas. Speeds range from 3 Mb to 15 Mb, but is typically split between other users in your area. Cable connections are offered by high-profile companies such as Cox and Optimum Online.

DSL

DSL clocks in at the third fastest Internet connection, somewhere in-between the speed of cable and dial-up. DSL speeds range from 768 Kbps to 3 Mb of bandwidth, depending on how far away you are from your local service provider. For this reason, it is only recommended to go the DSL route if you live fairly close to your service provider to get the most out of your connection.

Satellite Internet

Satellite Internet can distributed to virtually everywhere in the world via Low Earth Orbit satellites such as geostationary satellites. Geostationary satellites provide high data speeds, but lack the signal power to reach certain remote locations. There are a wide range of satellite systems and types with different features and technical specs attributing to Internet performance. The maximum upload speed for satellite Internet is about 10 Mbps, with a download speed of 1 Mbps.

References

Reflectzyn: The Best Internet Connection For Gaming

Resources

About the Author

Johnny Kilhefner began freelance writing in the fall of 2008. He has lent his talents as a writer to Oboulo, GosuArena, Spiteful Critic, More Say, Eduardo-Xavier, Central Elements, Gear Live, and as an SEO internet marketer. Johnny studied at Lord Fairfax in Warrenton, Virginia, earning an Associate of Applied Science in liberal arts.