What is ping speed?

If you’re a hardcore gamer, you want more than just a fast internet connection. Think about it – there’re times you suffer lag when playing games online. It could be your ping is too high. So, what is ping speed? It’s the time it takes for a data set to be transmitted from your device to the server and then back to the device. This is an indicator of the latency of online games and has a considerable effect on the delay time. It’s always important that you take a ping test for a seamless gaming experience.

Ping speed

For online games, you want as low ping as possible. If the ping is around 150 milliseconds or more, you’ll experience delays when playing your games. A ping speed of 50ms to 100ms is considered okay. A lower ping means a better connection.

In first-person shooter games, a low ping guarantees fast speeds when transferring data and ultimately smoother gameplay. When it’s too high, the servers of FPS games can disconnect the players.

If you have a high ping, this will ultimately affect the playing time and any delay. The same applies to racing games, real-time strategy games, first-person shooter games, and multiplayer games.

What impacts the ping rate?

Upload and download speed

When it comes to gaming requirements, ISP may not be the first thing that comes to your mind. But if you’re playing for the actual price, your ISP could mean the difference between winning and losing the game. In online gaming, low latency will depend on upload speed and could have a larger impact on response time. Keep in mind that a majority of online activities are designed to download faster than they upload.

Internet connection

A higher internet connection guarantees low ping. Conversely, a slow-speed connection can lead to more lag when playing online games. If you can upgrade your internet connection, you can be sure of smoother gameplay.

Inadequate bandwidth

While bandwidth needs may not be as important as network efficiencies, you should ensure it’s enough for your connections. If you’re streaming games, inefficient bandwidth can affect the amount of time data takes to be sent out and then back (ping). If you run a test on your bandwidth, you can determine your current ping.

Geographical location

While this factor is outside the users’ control, the distance between the servers and the system could mean the difference between low and high latency. If a server is close to you, you lower your ping. This reduces the amount of time it takes for data packets to travel between the server and yourself.

Firewall configuration

A firewall checks the amount of data packets received by the server. Even if the time may seem inconsequential, this could slow the internet speeds leading to high latency.

What is the importance of the ping speed test?

Since ping determines how fast you get a response after you’ve sent your request, it can be convenient in applications where timing is everything. That said, a ping speed is an important parameter when it comes to online games. The latency will strongly depend on the distance between you and the server. If you’re into competitive gameplay, a lower ping guarantees the best experience.