Recommended Internet Mbp/s for multiplayer?

[Xonipher]

I will be playing Crysis 2 and Black Ops multiplayer when I get my computer built. I get about 2.26mbps download speeds on speednet. I know it's not much, but I don't if this is enough to play multiplayer. I haven't played games in years. Thanks in advance.

 

[ChappedStick]

You really dont need a lot of bandwidth to play online games. As long as you have a reasonable ping you will be fine.

 

[BathroomFeeling]

That's right. You don't need Mbps, you need better ping. Ping is significantly more important than bandwidth (Mbps). Basically ping is how quick, in terms of ms (milliseconds), you are able to receive a data packet you sent to some far off server. The quicker the better.

Bandwidth, which is measured in terms of Mbps (megabits per second), is a different thing. Basically it's how much data you're able to send within 1 second. In a perfect world, you'd expect to see 2.26Mbps every second, constant and smooth. In the real world however, the data stream is never constant and smooth. It works through "bursts" of data. So something like 2 seconds of nothing, then 3 seconds of high speed download. Averaging that out comes to the value you expect.

Gaming uses some bandwidth, but it is usually minuscule compared to your full connection. You'd actually be fine gaming on a 150Kbps connection. What is more important is ping. Unfortunately ping is almost never advertised when shopping around. And the reason is simple, ping varies from game to game, server to server, from time of day, and from location to location. Your best bet would be to ask around from others using the same ISP service, and playing the same game.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I agree with the above statements, I've had 1, 1.5, 5, 8 and currently 25 MB broadband connections and I've never really noticed any difference in online shooters.

 

[gorcorps]

Now I know it's not the same, but could the OP potentially check his ping via some website or older game that he may have already on his current PC? Then he'd be able to judge if his ping is within acceptable range for gaming. Like CS or CS:S, the ping is displayed for all on the scoreboard so he should be able to see where he lands on that server. Then he can check a few different servers to see if he'll be okay.

 

[Texashiker]

I get about 2.26mbps download speeds on speednet. I know it's not much, .

That is not much???? Its a lot better then what I get.

If your getting 2.6mbs, your online gaming experience should be fine. I played with dialup for almost 10 years. My current download speeds are in the 1.4 - 1.8mbs range. So your doing a lot better then what I am.

 

[Worthington]

Google some dedicated server providers. Usually they will list a few pingable IPs for each area's datacenter (Texas, Chicago, NY, etc etc). Your ping response to the various servers will give you a good idea what your ping will be in game.. for the most part.

But as everyone said above, that is more then enough bandwidth for the games you are looking to play.

 

[Xonipher]

The ping was 30. From the same test. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Texashiker]

The ping was 30. From the same test. Thanks for the help so far.

If you want a cool toy to play with, download "WinMTR" - its a trace route utility. It shows you every router between you and your destination. It also helps trouble shoot slowdowns and connection issues.

 

[ViviTheMage]

The ping was 30. From the same test. Thanks for the help so far.

you'll be fine with that then .

 

[Xonipher]

Awesome. Thanks for the help everyone.