Introduction
A gaming router is a router that is specifically designed to optimize and improve the online gaming experience by reducing lag and improving network connectivity. It may have features such as advanced Quality of Service (QoS), which allows you to prioritize gaming traffic and allocate more bandwidth to your gaming devices.
On the other hand, a normal router is a router that is designed to provide a general-purpose network connection and is not explicitly optimized for gaming. It may not have advanced QoS or other features geared toward improving the gaming experience.
In general, if you are a gamer and want the best online gaming experience, you may want to consider using a gaming router. However, a normal router should be sufficient for your needs if you are not a gamer or do not care about having the best possible gaming experience.
Gaming Router VS Normal Router Comparison
You may be wondering whether you need a gaming router for better gaming or if a standard router will suffice. To find out, let’s go over some of the key factors that determine whether gaming routers are worth the money.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, a gaming router may have a stronger and more stable connection compared to a normal router, due to its optimized settings and technology. It may also be able to handle multiple devices and connections at once, which is important for online gaming.
Although connectivity with standard routers is adequate, gaming routers provide even better connectivity. Gaming routers have connectivity features that are particularly beneficial when playing fast-paced games. If you have a gaming router, you won’t have to worry about connectivity not keeping up with the chaos of the gaming design.
Assume you are only interested in excellent connectivity. In that case, looking into high-quality standard routers is a good idea because some of them have connectivity as good as a gaming router. They will, however, lack the other features of a gaming router.
Speed
In general, gaming routers will have faster speeds and lower latency compared to normal routers when it comes to online gaming. However, it is important to note that the actual speeds and performance will also depend on other factors such as the internet connection speed and the distance between the router and the device. Overall, if you are a serious gamer, a gaming router is worth the investment to ensure the best possible gaming experience.
For most gamers, speed is the most important deciding factor. And gaming routers are designed with this in mind. When it comes to internet speed, they do not disappoint. Wireless gaming routers provide the fastest internet speed for gaming, and this is as good as it gets. Most games may be playable with standard routers, but not all. Gaming routers have a fast enough connection to play any game.
Standard routers have mediocre internet speeds at best. They may perform much better if they are high-end. Although we can argue that this varies by company, standard routers are not explicitly designed for gaming and fast-paced games. As a result, gaming routers have an advantage in terms of internet speed.
If you are unsure about the speed of a gaming router or are hesitant to invest in one, a high-quality standard router is also an option. Some high-end routers have internet speeds comparable to most mediocre gaming routers.
Security
In terms of security, normal routers tend to be more secure than gaming routers because they offer a wider range of security features. For example, normal routers often come with firewalls that can block malicious traffic and prevent cyber attacks, while gaming routers may not have this capability. Additionally, normal routers may have VPN support, allowing users to securely connect to the internet and protect their personal information. Gaming routers, on the other hand, may not offer VPN support, which could leave users vulnerable to online threats.
Range
Gaming routers generally have a longer range than normal routers. This is because they are designed specifically for gaming, which requires a strong and stable connection over a long distance. Normal routers, on the other hand, are designed for general use and may not have the same range as a gaming router. Additionally, gaming routers often have advanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS) that prioritize gaming traffic and reduce lag, which can also improve the overall range and performance of the router.
Network Sharing
If you have a gaming router, you can share any type of media, such as photos, movies, or music, across multiple devices. These devices could be your phone, computer, printer, or anything else. Sharing with a gaming router is also faster and more secure. Sharing among different devices is simple even with a standard router. However, it is not as safe. A standard router of mediocre quality will not be as fast as a gaming router.
Channels
This is a major victory for the gaming router. You can easily access fifteen or more channels with gaming routers. They are also much easier to broadcast. Broadcasting is simple with a standard or regular router, but you can only access three channels at a time.
F.A.Q.S
How will a gaming router improve my gaming?
A gaming router can improve your gaming experience in several ways:
- Low latency: Gaming routers prioritize gaming traffic, reducing latency and ensuring a smooth, lag-free gaming experience.
- Improved bandwidth: Gaming routers often come with advanced features such as Quality of Service (QoS) that allow you to prioritize gaming traffic, ensuring that you have enough bandwidth for online gaming.
- Reliability: Gaming routers are designed to be stable and reliable, so you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions.
- Improved security: Gaming routers come with advanced security features such as firewall protection and VPN support to protect your gaming devices from cyber threats.
- Customization: Gaming routers often come with customization options that allow you to tailor the router settings to optimize your gaming experience. For example, you can set up port forwarding or enable gaming acceleration features to improve your gaming performance.
How much bandwidth does gaming need?
The amount of bandwidth needed for gaming depends on several factors, including the type of game, the number of players, and the quality of the graphics.
For most online multiplayer games, a minimum of 3-6 Mbps of download and upload speed is recommended. However, games with high-quality graphics or large multiplayer servers may require more bandwidth, up to 25 Mbps or higher.
It’s important to note that the actual bandwidth usage may vary depending on the specific game and the actions being taken in the game. For example, a game with high-quality graphics and frequent in-game video communication may require more bandwidth than a game with lower-quality graphics and minimal in-game communication.
In general, it’s a good idea to have a stable and fast internet connection to ensure a smooth gaming experience.
Conclusion
This article will be useful if you are a gamer thinking about purchasing a gaming router. It compares gaming routers to standard routers. If you are new to gaming or do not game frequently, a standard router may suffice, though this depends on the games. However, if you are a pro gamer who enjoys playing games while live streaming or who plays with friends frequently, a gaming router may be very useful to you.
