If you’ve walked through the corridors of the internet for longer than a few seconds, you’ve probably heard the term IP address. This common term is an abbreviation for “Internet Protocol” and refers to a unique address each computer has when connected to the Internet.
Many gamers use static IPs in an attempt to avoid speed and latency issues. I wrote this article with gamers in mind, but regular internet users can learn from it too.
Read on to know more about the role of static IPs in gaming, their performance against dynamic IPs and DHCP, and their cost.
Is A Static IP Good For Gaming?
A static IP is good for gaming because it lets you easily host your own server. However, it doesn’t offer better performance than dynamic IPs unless a dynamic IP is shared with other users and it’s being heavily used. Static IPs carry more security risks than dynamic IPs.
Despite common misconception, a static IP address will not affect your gaming performance. An IP address is just a unique identifier that identifies your device to servers on the internet.
Typically, ISPs assign dynamic IPs to users, meaning your home network’s public IP address may change from time to time.
When you opt for a static IP, you are assigned an IP address that will not change. This shouldn’t affect game performance in any way, but it will allow you to host your own gaming server with a constant IP address.
What Does A Static IP Do For Gaming?
A static IP lets gamers easily host their own servers and sometimes provides a high-priority connection. However, it usually doesn’t give you better performance.
It’s in the name, really—a static internet protocol (IP) address is a permanent numerical identifier assigned to internet devices. It is essentially a non-changing identifier that lets other entities find your device/server on the internet.
Regular users won’t notice any difference between static and dynamic IPs. However, gamers and website hosts can take advantage of the former.
You can host your own server without a static IP, but it can be a hassle. You’ll need to set up port forwarding or get a dynamic DNS provider. Meanwhile, if you have a static IP, you can simply give the address to the clients (the other players). They’ll enter the address and connect to your server.
However, static IPs have a few problems which may affect your experience. The most important issue is its vulnerability.
Devices with static IPs are prone to security issues since their addresses don’t change. Hackers and targeted malware may use this vulnerability to cause severe problems in your network or devices.
Another drawback is that if your static IP gets banned from a server by mistake, you’ll have to manually change it before entering it again. Meanwhile, a dynamic IP produces a new address every time you connect to a server.
Although many gamers use Static IPs, small businesses also use the protocol for their hosting needs. They are issued by ISPs and are unique to every device, offering a digital fingerprint for computers as they communicate.
Does A Static IP Improve Ping?
A static IP does not improve ping. You can improve your network by using ethernet connections that run on static IPs, but their effects on ping are negligible.
Ping, measured in milliseconds (ms), is how long it takes for discrete amounts of data to be sent from an internet-enabled device to a server and back again. It is a popular term in online gaming and represents the total time it takes for a player’s device to communicate with the internet server.
Unfortunately, opting for a static IP isn’t likely to improve your ping. If you want to reduce your ping, here are some tips that should help you out.
Is Static IP Better Than Dynamic IP For Gaming?
Static IPs aren’t better than dynamic IPs for gaming unless you want to host. There’s no difference in performance between dynamic IPs and static IPs. However, dynamic IPs tend to be safer due to their changing addresses.
A dynamic IP does pretty much the same thing as a static IP. The only difference is that the address changes continually. These addresses are issued by your ISP.
Some gamers still prefer to use static IPs because of their speed and reliability and since it’s not affected by other gamers’ internet activities.
Is A Static IP Better Than DHCP For Gaming?
Static IP is better than DHCP for gaming. DHCPs can be shared connections, which means the activity of other users could reduce your broadband. DCHPs can also put your network at a higher risk of attack since hackers can easily take advantage of its “hands-off” nature.
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a protocol that automates and manages the internet protocol (IP) configuration processes. It gives each node on the network an IP address so that the network can communicate effectively.
DHCP is easy to install, and you do not need to manually configure it to connect to the internet. Its main disadvantage stems from the fact that a hacker can install an unauthorized server and invade the network, altering permissions and putting data at risk.
How Much Does A Static IP Cost?
A static IP can cost between $5 to $100 per month, depending on your ISP. You will need to reach out to your ISP to confirm the cost and request the address. However, you can also use a VPN service to get a static IP for less than $100 a year.
Although it may not improve ping, you can use a static IP for customizability, speed, and reliability—although you’ll have to pay a little more to plug its vulnerabilities.
Not all ISPs provide static IPs on order, so I reckon using a VPN might be the best move to get one.
I use the Norton VPN for gaming, and so far it has been great. It runs smoothly and allows me to maintain my IP address over time, even if my ISP has assigned me a new dynamic IP address.
If you have any questions, or just want to hang with me, follow me on Twitch here. Also, for streaming tips and how to’s make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel here.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a static IP for gaming—at least not if performance is what you’re worried about. There are a few cases in which switching to a static IP improves performance, but it usually has to do with the fact that dynamic IPs can be shared with other users, not with the fact that it’s static.
Sources
- Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications: What Does Ping Mean?
- Esports.net: What is Ping in Gaming? – Understand ping to get better at online play
- FAQ-QA: Does static IP improve latency?
- OpenDNS: What is a Dynamic IP Address?
- Techopedia: Dynamic Internet Protocol Address (Dynamic IP Address)
- PureVPN: Why You Need a Static IP for Gaming
- Google Fiber Help: Static vs. dynamic IP addresses
- Livewire: What Is a Static IP Address?
- Avast: Static vs. Dynamic IP Addresses
- Microsoft: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
- AfterAcademy: What Is DHCP And How Does It Work?
- FS Community: DHCP vs. Static IP: Which One Is Better?
- Control4: DHCP Vs. Static IP—Which Is Better?
- Cement Answers: How much does a static IP cost?
- No-IP.com: Cost of a Static IP Address
Eric streams 3 days a week on Twitch and uploads weekly to Youtube under the moniker, StreamersPlaybook. He loves gaming, PCs, and anything else related to tech. He’s the founder of the website StreamersPlaybook and loves helping people answer their streaming, gaming, and PC questions.
