How to optimize your computer and router for gaming

Is your router affecting your online gaming experience? It might be time to trade it in for a gaming router.

Gaming routers are designed to optimize network traffic to your gaming PC, reducing lag even if other devices are downloading and streaming at the same time. Here are some things you’ll want to consider when choosing the best device for gaming:

• High-bandwidth range: Having faster speeds can drastically reduce loading times when working with multiplayer games, large-format files, 3D and virtual reality content and backup data.
  
  
• Ethernet ports: Having wired capabilities can help reduce ping times, signal loss and maximize speeds. Avoid lag by plugging in during online gaming sessions.
  
  
• Geo-filtering: This is an advanced feature on some gaming modems that allows you to access the nearest server, which can reduce your ping.
  
  
• Dual/Tri-band: Dual-band can support both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies and Tri-band can support either one 2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz bands or a 60 GHz band. All of which means you get faster speeds and the ability to split up network traffic, so you can assign your gaming devices to the 5 GHz band and everything else to 2.4 GHz for more bandwidth.
  
  
• Quality of service (QoS): This tool helps you manage bandwidth by prioritizing devices based on preference. With QoS you can play games without slowing down the internet for other users in your household.

A GPU can greatly impact how your PC performs. A GPU functions by rendering the information that your PC is displaying. The more powerful the GPU, the faster visual information can be refreshed/drawn and the smoother your visual experience will be overall. Here are some GPU gaming considerations:
 

• Discrete vs. integrative: When comparing GPUs for gaming, you’ll have the choice between integrated graphics and discrete. Integrated graphics tend to be lower-performance options and may be more suited for casual gaming. For hardcore gamers, you’ll want the power of a discrete graphics card.
  
  
• GPU power by type of game: Gamers who enjoy games like Minecraft and Dota 2 may not need the extensive power of a higher-end graphic card. If you’re playing a graphic-intensive game with millions of polygons, like Battlefield 1, Apex Legends or VR games, you’ll want to seek a higher end card.
  
  
• Resolution: When choosing the best GPU for gaming, you’ll want to know your monitor’s resolution. The higher the resolution, the more pixels will need to be rendered on each frame, meaning your GPU will need to work harder.
  
  
• Refresh rate: Your monitors refresh rate will also affect how hard your GPU works to render more frames per second.
  
  

If you choose to game over a wireless connection, try optimizing your home wifi network in addition to your PC, for the ultimate gaming experience.