Reduce Lag and Improve Ping Guide

Hi all,

I have recently taken steps which has reduced my ping to the Masamune JP Legacy server from 480ms down to 250ms while playing from the UK 6000 miles away. I have also taken steps to remove any latency when browsing the internet and make websites load faster to generally improve my experience online. I have decided to put it all in a video if anyone might find it useful: http://youtu.be/kUr7kaPl1vg

In the video I show you how to reduce lag, vastly improve ping and make playing the game, and using the internet generally, including web browsing a lot more responsive. This means on fights where latency is crucial, such as Titan Hard Mode, I am able to avoid all boss damage as intended.

I have also provided links to every tool, guide, and resource I used to accomplish this in the video's description.

The general summary is, updated to reflect comments below:
1) Increases upload bandwidth and capacity - Update TCPIP Network Registry settings with:
TcpAckFrequency = 1
TCPNoDelay = 1 - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...(v=ws.10).aspx
TcpDelAckTicks = 0 - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc938206.aspx

2) Improves speed at which websites are found and displayed - Update DNS server with one best for me. I determine this by using namebench.

3) Addresses any invalid registry entries, removes junk files, and general computer maintenance for free - I install and use Toolwiz Care, which is 100% freeware, no adverts, no trial version, completely free computer optimiser.

4) Tunneling software solutions which reduces the number of hops to the game server through private network to reduce ping - I use WTFast because it helps reduce ping generally.

Alternatively: You can use Pingzapper. I will add more service names to the video based on players feedback.

5) Lot's of links if any interests on reading more about the topic - I also read other resources explaining how this all helps and why which are also linked.

If anyone else has suggestions how to improve it even further please let me know. Hope you all find it useful.

~ Mithrie

Why not just post a quick summary of how to do it? I don't want to watch a 21 minute video to get to the probably 45 seconds to 3 minutes of actually doing it. I just need the quick directions easily posted ;P

Probably cuz she make money out of it

I have updated the first post with a general summary as requested.

Just a quick question, but doesn't Leatrix cover the registry editing? I'm ignorant of this kind of stuff so I don't want to mess around with it more than I have to. >>

I'd rather just see SE change their .3 second delay crap and get on board with every other MMO....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lyrinn

Just a quick question, but doesn't Leatrix cover the registry editing? I'm ignorant of this kind of stuff so I don't want to mess around with it more than I have to. >>

---

I actually don't know. I just made it after reading various guides. I didn't really check if others had already made it. If you find me a link I am happy to include it in the description of the video.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kasualty

I'd rather just see SE change their .3 second delay crap and get on board with every other MMO....

---

0.3 sec pos checking hardly makes the game unplayable. Bad connection and latency can be real issues though. /thumbsup to OP!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mithrie

Hi all,

I have recently taken steps which has reduced my ping to the Masamune JP Legacy server from 480ms down to 250ms while playing from the UK 6000 miles away. I have decided to put it all in a video if anyone might find it useful: http://youtu.be/kUr7kaPl1vg

In the video I show you how to reduce lag, vastly improve ping and make playing the game, and using the internet a lot more responsive. This means on fights where latency is crucial, such as Titan Hard Mode, I am able to avoid all boss damage as intended.

I have also provided links to every tool, guide, and resource I used to accomplish this in the video's description.

The general summary is:
1) Update TCPIP Network Registry settings with:
TcpAckFrequency = 1
TCPNoDelay = 1

2) Update DNS server with one best for me. I determine this by using namebench.

3) I install and use Toolwiz Care, which is 100% freeware, no adverts, no trial version, completely free computer optimiser.

4) I use WTFast because it helps reduce ping generally.

5) I also read other resources explaining how this all helps and why which are also linked.

If anyone else has suggestions how to improve it even further please let me know. Hope you all find it useful.

~ Mithrie

---

#1 *Might* effect other software or download speeds on your computer if you mess with the ack frequency and no delay. At the very least this will increase your upload bandwidth used across all software. If you have a smaller upload limit, you might start hitting it quicker.

#2 - This will not improve your ping/latency one bit. This won't even change your experience with FFXIV. This *could* improve your general web browsing experience as dns lookup frequency is high in a browser.

#3 - Just no. What do you think this is *optimizing*?

#4 - This is the only thing that is really changing your ping times, and most people don't want to have to pay for a 3rd party service in order to play this game properly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kitfox

0.3 sec pos checking hardly makes the game unplayable. Bad connection and latency can be real issues though. /thumbsup to OP!

---

Then why are they increasing the position check frequency in end game instances for 2.1?

I don't understand people who continue to defend the horrible network performance of this game, even after SE basically admitted to it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whilke

#1 *Might* effect other software or download speeds on your computer if you mess with the ack frequency and no delay. At the very least this will increase your upload bandwidth used across all software. If you have a smaller upload limit, you might start hitting it quicker.

#2 - This will not improve your ping/latency one bit. This won't even change your experience with FFXIV. This *could* improve your general web browsing experience as dns lookup frequency is high in a browser...

---

I do appreciate the feedback, I do want the information provided in the video to be as useful as possible. This was an overall improve internet responsiveness video for both game and computer, and each step has made marked improvement for me. I just wanted to share. I am definitely not an expert on this topic. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whilke

Then why are they increasing the position check frequency in end game instances for 2.1?

I don't understand people who continue to defend the horrible network performance of this game, even after SE basically admitted to it.

---

Just saying the pos checking isn't the end of the world, not that it's the preferred situation. Nothing is currently tuned so tightly that it's not dodgeable with the implemented pos checking.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mithrie

I actually don't know. I just made it after reading various guides. I didn't really check if others had already made it. If you find me a link I am happy to include it in the description of the video.

---

So you really dont know what this stuff does or means then do you?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DSN

So you really dont know what this stuff does or means then do you?

---

I mean I am unaware if anyone else has already mentioned this information in their guide. So I was just asking if they had link to more guides that I can link in my video.

Yep, only 1 and 4 are usefull to be honest.

Mainly the 4º one, and is just a vpn service, so is not exactly something anyone can use for free....

Maybe it is in good will, but I woudn't post a guide for something when I clearly don't know what I'm talking about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elvin

Yep, only 1 and 4 are usefull to be honest.

Mainly the 4º one, and is just a vpn service, so is not exactly something anyone can use for free....

Maybe it is in good will, but I woudn't post a guide for something when I clearly don't know what I'm talking about.

---

I do believe all these steps have improved the speed/responsiveness and quality of my internet and gaming experience and I have explained why. I say give them a go and if they do not help let me know. It is better to try and see, then to assume otherwise.

Of course those steps improved the quality of your gaming experiency. But only some of those steps. Just because you use WTfast and eat some chocolat and your gaming experiencie improves doesnt mean that using WTfast and eating chocolat improve your gaming experience. Only WTfast does.

So, eating chocolate shoudn't be on a guide. It's the same for those steps of your guide :p

And I woudn't put WTfast. At least not just it, there are other services wich work the same way...

It is so, so sad to have to do all this to get a better playing experience in this game.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elvin

And I woudn't put WTfast. At least not just it, there are other services wich work the same way...

---

I am trying to stick to the positives of what everyone is saying. I have received feedback as well from friends that an alternative tunnel solution is Pingzapper, which I have now updated and added to the first post and video description. I will add more as I receive more information from others. And yeah eating chocolate and gaming is awesome, though might not be the healthiest. :p I have also updated the title of the thread to reflect that the video does cover general internet/browsing tweaks as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Risae

It is so, so sad to have to do all this to get a better playing experience in this game.

---

It is worth it though, as general optimizing and learning about how to make your computer go faster is always fun to discover, at least it is for me. :) To avoid having to do it though, Square Enix are already addressing it by releasing a PS4 version and have acknowledged and are working on server latency issues by design, so I say thumbs up to Yoshi P and the development team for always aspiring to a better gameplay experience for all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mithrie

I have received feedback as well from friends that an alternative tunnel solution is Pingzapper, which I have now updated and added to the first post and video description.

---

I'm using Battleping.

Before: >90% of plumes at Titan HM fight hit me.
After: Can dodge all of them.

I gotta say, after using a few of the steps I have had significant improvement. Both in AoE circles and fighting the wall in AK.

+1

For the record I also used TCPOptimizer (settings to optimal) as well which I have used before but had a much older version of. Thanks for the top on getting the latest version which also includes the registry editor inside it :)

1) Instead of confusing people into regedit'ing and possibly breaking shit: http://www.wowinterface.com/download...atencyFix.html

2) No, just no, Your ISP's DNS server should be the fastest. It's usually in your ISP's local network instead of having to go to an internet exchange (which is 99% of the times slower) to reach a 3rd party DNS server. Only use different DNS servers if you suspect your ISP of feeding you crap (read blocking websites).

3) Bullshit, leave managing the registry to windows itself. Any third party tool that thinks it understands it will just cause fuckups.

4) I have a *very* good connection. I have the 0.3 problems yet WTFast ect only increases my lag by 4% (according to it's software). Square Really needs to fix this server issue

http://www.speedtest.net/result/2511029221.png

5) Stop reading wrong shit :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SakuraInoue

stuff

---

Firstly, THANK YOU! i was trying to find that Leatrix program forever since i reinstalled windows but just couldnt remember the name of it.

Secondly, i would like to point out speed test sites such as you used in your're pic dont mean crap for this game, you need to cmd ping ip the actual severs ip, these can be obtained using such package monitoring tools such as wireshark.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SakuraInoue

1) Instead of confusing people into regedit'ing...

---

To answer your points:
1) I understand not everyone will get how the registry fixes work, in the video I explained it slowly and clearly. I added the Leatrix link to the description a while ago.
2) After calling my ISP about the DNS the technical support said they prefer using Google Public DNS over their own too. Namebench reported a 187% increase for me.
3) The point about the third party tools I suggested is that they are 100% free and always will be. I would say that spending money on a registry cleaner would be a complete waste.
4) Square Enix did say that in dungeon/raids they will be reducing the 0.3 position checker. For me WTFast improved my latency from 480ms to 260ms, which is a game changer for me.

This video was simply my own experience of how to improve lag as well as make my internet browsing experience better and I was just sharing it in case it might be useful for others.

All you need is a VPN tunnel service that cost extra. WTFast for me. (sad sad sad, since no EU servers, but have raged about this in other threads)

You most likely do not need to do any of the OP's tips. Just start subscribing to a VPN tunnel service and pay extra to play the game and ur good.
10 extra bucks a month and I use WTFast. Reg editing etc etc not needed ;)

Yeah for lowering ping tunnel services like WTFast is the single greatest increase, though the regedit fix has made the game a lot more responsive for me and many others who have tried it, not just in this game but in others too.

-Leatrix helped me out alot
-Used Battleping before Leatrix worked very good too

Thanks for the post too.

What sort of results did you get with battleping? I am also curious if anyone can say what sort of results they got from pingzapper when compared with WTFast.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whilke

Then why are they increasing the position check frequency in end game instances for 2.1?

I don't understand people who continue to defend the horrible network performance of this game, even after SE basically admitted to it.

---

So tell me in your infinite wisdom, how does a service that ONLY changes the route to the servers (Proxy/VPN) suddenly make the game instantly playable, SE has no control over the routes taken.

As long as they improve the location detector for end game, it should all work out. Otherwise, Titan Extreme will be an utter nightmare.