Hi, Iv'e read a few different threads on gaming and i didn't see anything that I would feel comfortable attempting because of slight differences in OS and connection types. Is there anything that I can do to have better control over my ping? I play Americas Army and the lag is pretty much killing me.
I use the tcp optimizer on optimal settings but I'm wondering if maybe thats more beneficial to surfing rather than gaming.
I have a compaq presario 3000 laptop, P4, 512mb ram, windows xp home, and I use comcast cable with 2 other pc's on a linksys router.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
ping control
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YeOldeStonecat
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There's not too much you can do for gaming.
1) Your choice of ISPs is one of the biggest factors. Not all ISPs are created equal, some are better than others. Cable you often don't have a choice, since in your area the local cable company is all you get. But with DSL, many people think that the local phone company is it.
Local phone company was never the best performer back in the dial up days, what makes people think they'll be good for DSL I don't know. But there are usually many better choices for DSL. Oh sure they usually cost more, but hey, like everything in life, you usually get what you pay for. Gaming a primary concern? See if you can get Speakeasy.Net DSL, they have a special "ultra low latency gamers package".
2) I prefer routers over software internet connection sharing, and I see you have that. Also with routers, there are different grades, some are better than others. Linksys BEFSR routers are OK, their BEFSX41 routers are a bit faster (much faster CPU and a bit more RAM)...you don't have to worry about going much higher than that, you only have 2 computers. Making sure you have the latest firmware, and your MTU is set correctly on the router for your connection (1500 for cable and bridged DSL, 1492 for PPPoE DSL)
3) Software firewalls on your computer...I find them naggy, and performance robbing, if you're running one, I'd say try shutting it down while gaming..(only if you're behind a NAT router, and if other computers on your network are clean and healthy)
4) Antivirus programs...many of them these days really bog down your systems performance, typically the big names like McAfee or Symantec...they're real resource hogs. If you run them, while gaming, try shutting down real time file protection. Just remember to enable it again when done gaming, before you go online or check your e-mail. And if you do shut it down, make sure nothing else in the background is running which can bring in viruses/worms, like IM programs or if you run that P2P file downloading junk. Or better yet, get a nice lean antivirus program like NOD32, it's very lightweight, fast, I leave mine running all the time, plus it's one of the best in detection rates out there.
5) Shut down anything else on your network that's bringing traffic, like if one of your other computers is running something.
6) Make sure your system is clean from ad/spy/malware/trojans...those run in the background using up system resources and sapping away at your bandwidth.
7) Make sure your games network rate is set optimal for your connection. Most games, somewhere in the options, will have choices of your connection type. LAN/T-1/cable/dsl/isdn/dial up. Try lowering it a notch or two from where it's at. If you have a slow DSL or cable connection, perhaps the IDSN choice would work better.
8) Try flipping Windows desktop theme to performance mode, instead of the default fluffy fancy theme...that'll save resources. Even while playing the game, the OS is still holding your desktop in usage. Heck I do that on all my rigs anyways, regardless of how much power they have, XP runs much snappier. Right Click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Performance Box...Settings button, 3rd radio button choice, apply, OK.
1) Your choice of ISPs is one of the biggest factors. Not all ISPs are created equal, some are better than others. Cable you often don't have a choice, since in your area the local cable company is all you get. But with DSL, many people think that the local phone company is it.
Local phone company was never the best performer back in the dial up days, what makes people think they'll be good for DSL I don't know. But there are usually many better choices for DSL. Oh sure they usually cost more, but hey, like everything in life, you usually get what you pay for. Gaming a primary concern? See if you can get Speakeasy.Net DSL, they have a special "ultra low latency gamers package".2) I prefer routers over software internet connection sharing, and I see you have that. Also with routers, there are different grades, some are better than others. Linksys BEFSR routers are OK, their BEFSX41 routers are a bit faster (much faster CPU and a bit more RAM)...you don't have to worry about going much higher than that, you only have 2 computers. Making sure you have the latest firmware, and your MTU is set correctly on the router for your connection (1500 for cable and bridged DSL, 1492 for PPPoE DSL)
3) Software firewalls on your computer...I find them naggy, and performance robbing, if you're running one, I'd say try shutting it down while gaming..(only if you're behind a NAT router, and if other computers on your network are clean and healthy)
4) Antivirus programs...many of them these days really bog down your systems performance, typically the big names like McAfee or Symantec...they're real resource hogs. If you run them, while gaming, try shutting down real time file protection. Just remember to enable it again when done gaming, before you go online or check your e-mail. And if you do shut it down, make sure nothing else in the background is running which can bring in viruses/worms, like IM programs or if you run that P2P file downloading junk. Or better yet, get a nice lean antivirus program like NOD32, it's very lightweight, fast, I leave mine running all the time, plus it's one of the best in detection rates out there.
5) Shut down anything else on your network that's bringing traffic, like if one of your other computers is running something.
6) Make sure your system is clean from ad/spy/malware/trojans...those run in the background using up system resources and sapping away at your bandwidth.
7) Make sure your games network rate is set optimal for your connection. Most games, somewhere in the options, will have choices of your connection type. LAN/T-1/cable/dsl/isdn/dial up. Try lowering it a notch or two from where it's at. If you have a slow DSL or cable connection, perhaps the IDSN choice would work better.
8) Try flipping Windows desktop theme to performance mode, instead of the default fluffy fancy theme...that'll save resources. Even while playing the game, the OS is still holding your desktop in usage. Heck I do that on all my rigs anyways, regardless of how much power they have, XP runs much snappier. Right Click My Computer, Properties, Advanced, Performance Box...Settings button, 3rd radio button choice, apply, OK.
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ping control
Thank you for your info. I'll give it a try, I never thought about other programs running while gaming. You're right about the availability of servive where I am as well, I can only get comcast cable. It's great for surfing the net, but a whole different story when it comes down to gaming. Well thank you again this is all very useful information, the best I've come across yet. 