Why Gamers Need More Than Speedtest
Although modern online games do not require a huge amount of internet bandwidth, they do need a low-latency error-free connection to provide a good gaming experience. And while there is nothing technically wrong with standard TCP-based Speedtests, they are simply not the right “tool” for testing and monitoring this.
The first issue is that Speedtests measure a maximum bandwidth and not the quality of the connection. If errors are occurring, and they are significant enough (because TCP is very resilient), they might show a lower download or upload rate. But even then, this is a very indirect indication. It’s like trying to figure out if a car has a flat tire based only on its reported speed. Also, there are obviously enormous error sensitivity differences between real-time gaming and TCP saturation testing.
The second thing about Speedtests is that their measurements are only valid at the time they are run. A short while earlier or later and the network conditions may have changed significantly. And although it is a good idea to occasionally check your maximum internet speed, it’s not something you’d want to do very frequently because of the congestion it would itself cause.
In contrast, the monitor-io service specifically focuses on the quality and reliability of your internet connectivity. Our specialized test traffic consumes very little bandwidth (approx. 14 Kbps), allowing our tests to run 24x7. Most importantly, while you are actually gaming. Also, if your rig or console is connected to secondary routers or switches within your home you can connect our device to the very same LAN segment - so your entire network path can be monitored. This also allows convenient across-the-room visibility of the LCD status display indicating when your internet connection is clean, taking errors or hard down.
Although modern online games do not require a huge amount of internet bandwidth, they do need a low-latency error-free connection to provide a good gaming experience. And while there is nothing technically wrong with standard TCP-based Speedtests, they are simply not the right “tool” for testing and monitoring this.
The first issue is that Speedtests measure a maximum bandwidth and not the quality of the connection. If errors are occurring, and they are significant enough (because TCP is very resilient), they might show a lower download or upload rate. But even then, this is a very indirect indication. It’s like trying to figure out if a car has a flat tire based only on its reported speed. Also, there are obviously enormous error sensitivity differences between real-time gaming and TCP saturation testing.
The second thing about Speedtests is that their measurements are only valid at the time they are run. A short while earlier or later and the network conditions may have changed significantly. And although it is a good idea to occasionally check your maximum internet speed, it’s not something you’d want to do very frequently because of the congestion it would itself cause.
In contrast, the monitor-io service specifically focuses on the quality and reliability of your internet connectivity. Our specialized test traffic consumes very little bandwidth (approx. 14 Kbps), allowing our tests to run 24x7. Most importantly, while you are actually gaming. Also, if your rig or console is connected to secondary routers or switches within your home you can connect our device to the very same LAN segment - so your entire network path can be monitored. This also allows convenient across-the-room visibility of the LCD status display indicating when your internet connection is clean, taking errors or hard down.
