How does a VPN help reduce ping?
Many people still wonder, "How can a VPN help reduce Ping?" Generally, the internet connection from the player to the game server must pass through several nodes of the Internet Service Provider (ISP), which sometimes results in a longer distance between the player and the game server. This increases the data transmission time, leading to higher Ping values.
First off, what is Ping?
Ping is a program and tool directly related to computer network systems. Ping is used to test whether a destination is connected to the IP system. It is a test of the connection to the system. If we send a Ping and receive a response, it means our connection is complete. Most people will look at Time refers to the duration of data transmission from the source to the destination, measured in milliseconds (ms). The shorter the time, the faster the data transmission.
Factors that cause high ping
There are several factors that cause high ping. Knowing these factors that increase ping may help us solve the problem of high ping while gaming. The factors are as follows:
The distance between the servers
The distance between the user and the server directly affects the Ping value because data has to travel from the device to the game server and back. If the game server is located far away, the data transmission time will increase, resulting in lag during gameplay.
For example If you play from Thailand to a server in the United States, the Ping value is higher than 200ms. However, if you connect to a server in Singapore, the Ping value may drop to 30-60ms. To reduce Ping, choose the nearest server or use a VPN to shorten the connection route.
Internet speed
The speed and stability of the internet affect the Ping value, even though Download/Upload Speed does not directly determine Ping. If the internet is slow, unstable, or has insufficient bandwidth, it may cause lag and delay when playing online games. If there are other devices on the network using a lot of bandwidth, such as downloading large files, it can cause the ping to increase.
Type of connection
Connecting to the internet via a LAN cable results in lower and more stable ping values compared to Wi-Fi connections. This is because LAN connections do not experience signal interference or packet loss. In contrast, Wi-Fi connections are affected by obstacles, signal density, and the number of devices connected to the same network. While 4G/5G mobile internet offers high speeds, the ping values may not be stable as they depend on the strength of the signal tower and the location.
How does ping affect gaming?
Many times when we play online games with PvP duels where skills are evenly matched and items are comparable, we might still end up losing just because our ping is higher than the opponent's. This is especially noticeable in FPS shooting games, battle royales, MMORPGs, and MOBAs. You could say that almost every game that requires a stable connection is affected because we can lose at any moment or it can impact the game's flow. Just a ping of 200 makes my heart race. I really can't stand playing like this.
How does using a VPN help reduce ping?
Normally, the various online games being played involve the exchange of data between players and the game server, using the internet as a medium. The player's game data will be sent over the internet to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) (True, TOT, 3BB, Ais), which will decide which server to send the game data to. The locations of the ISPs are mostly far from the game servers.
Therefore, connecting to a VPN will allow the player's game data to be sent over the internet directly to the VPN server without connecting to the ISP Node. The VPN will then forward the data directly to the game server, making the data transmission faster because it doesn't have to travel through multiple devices. This will help reduce ping while you are playing the game.
What are the VPN protocols? Which ones are suitable for gaming?
VPN Protocols are technologies that define the methods of encrypting and transmitting data over a VPN network. Each protocol has its own strengths and limitations, especially when it comes to online gaming that requires speed and low ping.
1. WireGuard 🏆
WireGuard is a highly popular VPN protocol nowadays due to its high speed, low resource usage, and lower ping compared to other protocols. It is suitable for online gaming that requires quick responses, such as FPS, MOBA, and Battle Royale games. The advantage of WireGuard is that it provides a highly stable connection, reducing the chances of disconnection or delay during gaming.
2. IKEv2/IPSec 🚀
IKEv2/IPSec is a VPN protocol known for its speed and stability, especially when used on mobile devices, such as switching between Wi-Fi and 4G/5G. It is suitable for mobile games that require a stable connection. The advantage of IKEv2 is that it can reconnect quickly if the network is temporarily interrupted, reducing the chances of the game disconnecting or lagging.
3. OpenVPN (UDP & TCP) 🎯
OpenVPN is a VPN protocol that offers security and flexibility in usage, divided into two modes: UDP and TCP, which affect performance differently. For gaming, OpenVPN (UDP) is the better choice because it has higher speed, reduces ping, and makes gaming smoother. Meanwhile, OpenVPN (TCP) is more stable but slower and may slightly increase ping.
Summary of the best VPN protocols for gaming
✅ WireGuard – the fastest and suitable for all games
✅ IKEv2/IPSec – Good for mobile gaming
✅ OpenVPN (UDP) – A balance between speed and security
In summary, how can a VPN help reduce ping?
Normal connection
📍 User → ISP → Connection Point 1 → Connection Point 2 → Game Server
VPN connection
📍 User → ISP → VPN Server → Game Server
It can be seen that using a VPN connection significantly reduces the steps in data transmission, resulting in a lower Ping value when connecting to a VPN for gaming. Use VPN4Games to bypass IP restrictions and play games across blocked zones.
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Read more
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