If you’re an online gamer, how much data do you use each hour or month? Find out more here.
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Online gaming has become a staple in the world of entertainment, but have you ever wondered how much data it consumes? Whether you're a casual gamer or a dedicated player, understanding the data usage of your favourite online games can be crucial, especially if you have limited data on your internet plan.
In Savvy’s comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the factors that influence data consumption during online gaming. Learn about how much of your plan may be used up each time you sit down in front of your PC, PS4 or another console with us today!
The data usage of online gaming can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the game itself, the platform you're using and the game's data intensity. On average, online gaming typically consumes anywhere from 20MB to 300MB per hour or more. If you play for two hours a day on average, this can work out to be between 1.2GB and 18GB per month.
Here's a breakdown:
Keep in mind that these are all general estimates and your actual data usage may vary. Additionally, games that constantly update or stream content may use more data.
The size of game downloads and updates varies widely based on the title and platform. Smaller mobile games might be around 100MB, while full AAA titles for consoles or PC can be 50GB or larger, sometimes approaching 100GB. Updates and patches can also range from a few megabytes to several gigabytes.
It's important to note, however, that the size of games can differ depending on the console you’re buying. For example, a PC game may be less data-heavy than its PS4 or Xbox One equivalent.
For online gaming, there are several factors to consider when choosing your internet plan. Look for the following:
The best type of internet plan for gaming ultimately depends on your needs as a gamer. If you mainly stick to mobile games, for instance, the ideal plan is likely to be far different than one for someone who frequently plays online console games.
In terms of reliability, NBN plans and those with fixed line connections are considered better than home wireless broadband, as the connection type is less prone to interference and congestion. However, home wireless broadband can still deliver good speeds and serve their purpose for gamers.
Even the most data-intensive games use up much less data than streaming services in most cases. In the case of internet plans with Netflix, you can use up to 1GB per hour for standard definition (SD) streaming and 3GB for high definition (HD). If you wish to stream in 4K, this can come in at 7GB per hour or over 20 times more than the most demanding video games. Because of this, if you're concerned about data usage, online gaming is generally a more data-friendly option compared to streaming video content.
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For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.
We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.
For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
