Optimize Your Network for Gaming: How Much of a Difference Can 512GB Make?

While 512GB might seem like a lot of storage, especially when considering how much raw photos and videos it can hold, in the realm of online gaming, the size of your hard drive is secondary to the efficiency of your network. This guide will walk you through optimizing your network settings to ensure smoother, lag-free online gaming experiences, focusing on tools and configurations that can make a tangible difference.

First, download the TCP Optimizer, a free tool designed to fine-tune your internet connection. You can find it at http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php.

Save the downloaded file to your desktop and run it as an administrator. This is essential to ensure the software has the necessary permissions to modify your network settings.

Next, run a speed test to determine your current download and upload speeds. A reliable speed test can be found at https://www.speedtest.net/. Use the results from this speed test to accurately set your download speed in the TCP Optimizer using the provided slider.

Use Speedtest.net to accurately measure your internet speed, a key input for configuring the TCP Optimizer for optimal gaming performance.

Optimizing TCP/IP Settings for FPS Games

For those primarily focused on First-Person Shooter (FPS) games like CS:GO or Battlefield, which heavily rely on UDP protocol, specific TCP/IP Optimizer settings can be applied. However, if you play a variety of games, including older titles, the settings outlined later in this guide will provide a more comprehensive optimization.

To check your current TCP Global Parameters, open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the command: netsh int tcp show global.

The output should resemble the configuration below:

TCP Global Parameters
----------------------------------------------
Receive-Side Scaling State         : enabled
Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level    : normal
Add-On Congestion Control Provider  : default
ECN Capability                    : disabled
RFC 1323 Timestamps                 : disabled
Initial RTO                       : 1000
Receive Segment Coalescing State    : enabled
Non Sack Rtt Resiliency             : disabled
Max SYN Retransmissions             : 4
Fast Open                         : enabled
Fast Open Fallback                  : enabled
HyStart                           : enabled
Pacing Profile                      : off

For FPS Games Specifically:

When using the TCP Optimizer for FPS games, it’s crucial to leave CTCP (Compound TCP) at its default setting. Focus instead on adjusting your network adapter settings as described in the following sections.

Network Adapter Settings for All Games

The following TCP/IP Optimizer settings are recommended for users who play a range of games, both old and new, ensuring broad compatibility and performance improvements.

TCP Optimizer settings for a balanced gaming experience across various game types, old and new.

After applying these settings in TCP Optimizer, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Configuring Network Adapter Settings

To access your network adapter settings, follow these steps in Windows:

Open Network & Internet settings.
Click on Ethernet in the left pane.
Click Change adapter options in the right pane.
Right-click on your Ethernet connection and select Properties.
Ensure your Ethernet connection properties are configured as shown below, with necessary protocols enabled.

An example of enabled networking components in Ethernet properties, including Client for Microsoft Networks and File and Printer Sharing.

FPS Games Specific Adapter Settings:

For dedicated FPS gamers, further refine your adapter settings by clicking Configure in the Ethernet Properties window.

Network adapter configuration settings, accessible through the Configure button in Ethernet properties for advanced adjustments.

In the Power Management tab, uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
Ensure you have the latest network drivers installed. Regularly updating drivers is crucial for optimal performance and stability.
Navigate to the Advanced tab and apply the following settings for a comprehensive network optimization.

Advanced Network Adapter Settings (All Users):

Configure these advanced settings in your network adapter properties for enhanced performance:

Adaptive Inter-Frame Spacing: Disabled
Enable PME: Disabled
Energy Efficient Ethernet: Off
ARP Offload: Disabled
Flow Control: Disabled
Gigabit Master Slave Mode: Disabled
Interrupt Moderation: Disabled
Interrupt Moderation Rate: Off
IPv4 Checksum Offload: Rx & Tx Disabled
Jumbo Packet: Disabled
Large Send Offload v2 (IPv4): Disabled
Large Send Offload v2 (IPv6): Disabled
Legacy Switch Compatibility Mode: Disabled
Locally Administered Address: Not Present
Log Link State Event: Disabled
Maximum Number of RSS Queues: 4 Queues / 8 or Above (if available)
Packet Priority & VLAN: Disabled
Protocol ARP Offload: Disabled
Protocol NS Offload: Disabled
Receive Buffers: 2048 (or Highest Possible)
Receive Side Scaling: Enabled
Reduce Speed On Power Down: Disabled
Speed & Duplex: 1 Gbps Full Duplex
System Idle Power Saver: Disabled
TCP Checksum Offload (IPv4): Rx & Tx Disabled
TCP Checksum Offload (IPv6): Rx & Tx Disabled
Transmit Buffers: 2048
UDP Checksum Offload (IPv4): Rx & Tx Disabled (Enable for Low-End Hardware)
UDP Checksum Offload (IPv6): Rx & Tx Disabled (Enable for Low-End Hardware or Disabled if not using IPv6)
Ultra Low Power Mode: Disabled
Wait For Link: Off
Wake on Link Settings: Disabled
Wake on Magic Packet: Disabled
Wake on Pattern Match: Disabled

Registry Fix for CTCP and CMD Commands for Global TCP Settings

After using TCP Optimizer, you might find that CTCP and other global TCP settings are not consistently applied. To rectify this, especially for users playing a variety of games, a registry fix and CMD commands are necessary.

For gamers who play all types of games, apply the registry fix to ensure CTCP is used as the main congestion control provider. Download the registry fix here: https://hkbaom-my.sharepoint.com/personal/euser195_my365_site/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Feuser195_my365_site%2FDocuments%2FFR33THY%2Fset-ctcp.7z&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Feuser195_my365_site%2FDocuments%2FFR33THY&cid=8fe0d95f-f7ed-45f5-86e2-eeaad27e52bf

After applying the registry fix, verify your TCP Global Parameters again in CMD using netsh int tcp show global.

For those playing all types of games, the output should now show CTCP as the congestion control provider and reflect other adjusted settings:

TCP Global Parameters
----------------------------------------------
Receive-Side Scaling State         : Enabled
Chimney Offload State             : disabled
Receive Window Auto-Tuning Level    : Disabled
Add-On Congestion Control Provider  : ctcp
ECN Capability                    : disabled
RFC 1323 Timestamps                 : disabled
Initial RTO                       : 2000
Receive Segment Coalescing State    : disabled
Non Sack Rtt Resiliency             : disabled
Max SYN Retransmissions             : 2
Fast Open                         : enabled
Fast Open Fallback                  : enabled
Hystart                           : enabled
Pacing Profile                      : off

If the settings are not correctly applied, use the following CMD commands (run as administrator). Do not use these commands if you only play FPS games.

netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled
netsh int tcp set global chimney=disabled
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled
netsh int tcp set supplemental Internet congestionprovider=CTCP
netsh int tcp set global ecncapability=disabled
netsh int tcp set global timestamps=disabled
netsh int tcp set global initialRto=2000
netsh int tcp set global rsc=disabled
netsh int tcp set global nonsackrttresiliency=disabled
netsh int tcp set global maxsynretransmissions=2
netsh int tcp set global fastopen=enabled
netsh int tcp set global fastopenfallback=enabled
netsh int tcp set global hystart=enabled

Restart your PC after running these commands and reopen TCP Optimizer to confirm the settings are now persistent.

Setting Static IP and DNS

For a more stable connection, configure a static IP address and optimal DNS servers. Use the ipconfig command in CMD to find your current IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway.

Manually configuring static IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway in network adapter settings.

Consider using public DNS servers like 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1, which are often faster and more reliable. Tools like DNS Benchmark can help you determine the best DNS servers for your location.

Using DNS Benchmark to evaluate and select the fastest DNS servers for your network configuration.

Example of optimal DNS server settings using 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 in network adapter configuration.

A static IP can contribute to a more consistent and reliable network connection, beneficial for online gaming.

Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP and LMHOSTS Lookup

Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP and uncheck LMHOSTS lookup in your network adapter’s TCP/IP settings for enhanced security and potentially slightly improved network performance.

Disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP and LMHOSTS lookup in advanced TCP/IP settings for security and performance.

Group Policy Editor (GPEDIT) Tweaks for Internet

For advanced users, Group Policy Editor (GPEDIT) offers additional tweaks to optimize internet performance. (Note: GPEDIT is not available in Windows Home editions).

Group Policy Editor settings for QoS Packet Scheduler, limiting reservable bandwidth for network optimization.

GPEDIT setting for Multimedia Class Scheduler, enabling it for prioritized network traffic management for multimedia applications.

By implementing these comprehensive network optimizations, you can significantly enhance your online gaming experience. While 512GB of storage provides ample space for game installations and recordings, optimizing your network ensures that your online gameplay is smooth, responsive, and free from unnecessary lag, ultimately making the most of your gaming setup.