
Our calculator automatically accounts for the different factors taking up bandwidth and estimates what speeds will help you maintain smooth, uninterrupted gameplay. But if someone's streaming Netflix in HD while you're gaming, your internet has to transfer more data at the same time, which could result in slower speeds. If you live alone, this won't be as much of a concern. The more devices on your internet connection, the less likely you are to reach your maximum speeds (that's partly why providers advertise speeds "up to" a certain amount).

Most gaming setups only need download speeds of about 3–6 Mbps to operate smoothly, but they're not the only factors.Īll the devices that connect to your internet - your phone, maybe a laptop or tablet - tax your internet speeds. When gaming, download speeds dictate how quickly your PC or console receives information from game servers. When internet providers advertise speeds, they're usually talking about download speeds. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article.

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