Latency in Gaming

InternetSwag

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Hi guys, am I correct in my assumption that latency is the time it takes from your router to communicate with the server you are connected to?

For example if I get 180ms ping, I cannot reduce that in any way? Even if I change ISP or get a 1000mbps line?
 
Hi guys, am I correct in my assumption that latency is the time it takes from your router to communicate with the server you are connected to?

For example if I get 180ms ping, I cannot reduce that in any way? Even if I change ISP or get a 1000mbps line?
incorrect, if you are on wifi you could improve that with a fixed lan connection for example
 
Upping your line speed won't change response times (ping).

You could look at ISPs, see who they peer with and deduce if they have a more optimal route to your destination, but you'd have to find this information out.
 
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OP, an ISP makes use of multiple undersea connectivity providers in order to connect you to the world.

The key to getting better ping is finding out which ISP has the most favorable peering for your route.

52278907589_23c3944bbb_c.jpg
 
OP, an ISP makes use of multiple undersea connectivity providers in order to connect you to the world.

The key to getting better ping is finding out which ISP has the most favorable peering for your route.

52278907589_23c3944bbb_c.jpg
**** okay, I've no idea how to figure that out.
Basically I was trying to get lower latency in world of warcraft. I think EU is naturally the better choice but there's only EU and NA
 
Speed will not affect your ping, you're correct.

It all comes down to the route that ISPs take to, in this case, the EU.

What I'd recommend is finding people on this forum who are with various ISPs (and FNO would be helpful) you're interested in, that's more or less in your region of the country.

Ask them to choose the EU and whatever server you choose on the site linked below. Then ask them to post the results.


Not sure what ISP you're with, but you may also be able to ask @PBCool and @AfriNatic if they can set up temporary test accounts for you on Cool Ideas and Afrihost respectively
 
For example if I get 180ms ping, I cannot reduce that in any way? Even if I change ISP or get a 1000mbps line?

That depends on the game and the ISP and where you live.

Regarding the game, if they only have servers in the Arctic, you aren't going to have much luck.

Regarding the ISP, some are better than others. There was a time when I was beta testing Web Africa's new DSL network and due to the sheer lack of people on it I was about to get about 140-145 ping to Europe. It was amazing. Sadly, best I've seen since then, even on the best ISPs get about 150-160, but that's from the Cape. I get 180-200 to the EU from KZN.
 
Starlink will cut your latency by 75% or so we are told by it's disciples...
 
Starlink will cut your latency by 75% or so we are told by it's disciples...

For South Africa it would be highly unlikely.

If the base station is in SA let's say they make a deal with a Data centre to house their receiver the traffic still needs to go from that receiver to the data centre and from there it must be NLD to Teraco and from there to EU. Latency will be at least 60ms higher than what is currently being experienced by people on Fibre connections to the EU.

If they don't want to have a base station in SA and they will somehow send it from satellite to satellite to reach a base station in the EU directly it's highly unlikely to be in less ms than it is currently through the undersea cable.

The only real advantage could be they can link us with Australia in a satellite-to-satellite link to reduce latency because currently it's via EU or Asia to reach Australia.
 
WOW is 180ms at best from ZA, no way around it. Most ISPs use SEACOM cable up the east coast

WOW's combat system isn't as sensitive to latency as say an FPS would be but it is still noticeable especially with melee combat.
It may make a big enough difference in raids/pvp etc for the guild to notice if you are main tank otherwise it's not usually a problem.
 
Wonder what cable R6S uses. It usually only has 10-60ms for me. games like Apex run around 100ms -ish.

MMO's generally have the worst ms in SA unfortunately.
 
For South Africa it would be highly unlikely.

If the base station is in SA let's say they make a deal with a Data centre to house their receiver the traffic still needs to go from that receiver to the data centre and from there it must be NLD to Teraco and from there to EU. Latency will be at least 60ms higher than what is currently being experienced by people on Fibre connections to the EU.

If they don't want to have a base station in SA and they will somehow send it from satellite to satellite to reach a base station in the EU directly it's highly unlikely to be in less ms than it is currently through the undersea cable.

The only real advantage could be they can link us with Australia in a satellite-to-satellite link to reduce latency because currently it's via EU or Asia to reach Australia.

Sarcasm.
 
Hi guys, am I correct in my assumption that latency is the time it takes from your router to communicate with the server you are connected to?

For example if I get 180ms ping, I cannot reduce that in any way? Even if I change ISP or get a 1000mbps line?
if you playing games then also check for local servers Battlefield and R6 Siege have but unfortunately they often not very active or full some of the time
 
If you live in JHB or DBN you can move to CPT and get about 20ms lower ping. But that's about all you can do.
 
So check this out. On some games I get better latency through a VPN hosted in the USA.
 
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