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Fast & Furious Pt 2: How Can I Improve Latency?

You know the old saying: video games don’t make people violent, lag does.

Now we have a pretty good idea of what latency is, how might we shave off a handful of those tiny precious milliseconds?

As mentioned in our last article, getting a broadband plan with enough bandwidth can help your latency but only to a certain extent. The bandwidth of your broadband plan isn’t usually the bottleneck causing high latency problems, especially if you already have a broadband plan in the hundreds of Mbps.

Going wired is one way to improve your latency

LAN cable - Improve latency | MyRepublic

A direct cable or LAN connection is your safest bet for consistent latency.

As many a passionate hardcore gamer will tell you: why the frell are you gaming over Wi-Fi?

Now, it’s not impossible to get good latency over Wi-Fi, but a wired connection will still generally be more reliable and faster than a wireless one.

One of the key issues of using a Wi-Fi connection is wireless interference, which can result in lag if Wi-Fi signals get disrupted by other devices (such as your neighbour’s router) using the same frequency band.

The strength of Wi-Fi signals can be also hampered by distance (especially if they have to travel upwards) and physical obstacles (such as walls). A spotty wireless connection is not only bad for download speeds but also for latency.

Get your fibre broadband


It also matters what kind of broadband you’re on: fibre optic internet (i.e. fibre broadband) generally offers better latency for gaming compared to older copper cables so if you haven’t, you should definitely make the switch.

Interestingly, signals transmitted through copper cables can actually travel faster than those in fibre optic cables. However, fibre cables still win out in the end as signals in copper degrade over long distances due to electromagnetic interference.

Enable Quality of Service (QoS) in your Wi-Fi router


You may be familiar with this scenario: you’re trying to have a good time playing your game online when the latency starts spiking and it starts lagging. Leaving your room to investigate, you discover that your family members are downloading large torrent files and/or streaming 4K video. They’re using up all the bandwidth!

Or more specifically, as explained previously, they’re using enough bandwidth that it’s causing congestion in your home network: your bytes of gaming data, although small, cannot quickly make it through the pipe that is your home’s bandwidth as other kinds of internet traffic are getting in the way.

Traffic congestion - Improve latency | MyRepublic

Like real life traffic congestion, network congestion results in slower speeds and higher latency.

Thankfully, many routers today come with a feature known as Quality of Service (QoS), which basically helps you customise which kind of data traffic gets priority to your router. Gaming-focused routers such as the ASUS ROG AX11000 may refer to its QoS feature by special names such as “Game Boost” – it’s basically QoS that gives gaming traffic the highest priority to the router. This is yet another way to improve latency.

Comparison of bandwidth and quality of service rules - Improve latency | MyRepublic

Image source: How-to Geek

Depending on the router you have, you can configure its QoS to prioritise internet traffic in your home according to device or application. Each router is different, so it’s best to check its manual to see what QoS features it has and how you can customise them.

Be careful with VPNs and GPNs


It makes sense to use VPNs for their privacy and security features but there are quite a few VPNs for games, marketed as GPNs or Gamers Private Networks, that claim to lower latency for your online games. True? Well, it really depends on your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Using a VPN or GPN basically changes the route your traffic takes across the internet from the ISP’s own network routing, routing it through the VPN servers instead. It’s like driving a car to a destination and deciding to take detour instead of the default route.

Logically, using a VPN makes sense only if your ISP’s routing isn’t good. If your game data already takes the most direct and fastest route to your online game server, using a VPN can hurt your latency. If the VPN’s server you’re using doesn’t have enough bandwidth, the congestion can also lead to higher latency.

VPN connection - Improve latency | MyRepublic

Using a VPN affects the route your data takes to its destination, for better or worse.

Some ISPs like MyRepublic already optimise their network for lower gaming latency with optimised routes, which means using a VPN is probably not advisable if you’re only looking to reduce your latency.

If you really do want to try a VPN, it’s best to see if the service has a free trial so you can check and see what difference it makes.

Checking your latency


While many online games indicate the latency you’re getting somewhere in their interface, some don’t. Or maybe you just want to see exactly how changes in your setup, such as a new Wi-Fi router or cable, may be affecting your latency. Here’s where running a latency test comes in.

Strictly speaking, “ping” isn’t the same thing as latency, although many people use ping to refer to latency.

A ping test, however, is a basic way of checking your latency. The term has its roots in the use of sonar where a “ping” refers to the pulse of sound sent out, and whose echo you listen for to find out the location of objects.

Ping test - Improve latency | MyRepublic

While it may look technical, anyone can run a ping test to check their latency.

Like sonar, a ping test sends out a signal of data across the internet to another computer (like a game server) and this computer sends its own signal back, like an echo: how long it takes to go out and return gives you your latency.

Here’s how to run a ping if you’re on Windows:

  • Click on Start, select Run.
  • Type cmd, and press OK. This will launch the command line window: a retro-looking black screen with text and a blinking cursor. Here’s where you enter your test commands.
  • Type Ping followed by the IP address or the URL of the website you wish to ping and hit enter. For example, you could type “ping example.com”.
  • In the results, you can see your latency as time taken in milliseconds (ms): that’s how long it took for the packet of data (your ping) travel to the remote site and back

Ping results - Improve latency | MyRepublic

The results of your ping should look something like this (image credit to lifewire.com)

Find that bottleneck to improve your latency


A useful tool when it comes to troubleshooting latency issues is the traceroute test. Like the ping test, running a traceroute shows you your latency numbers but (as its name suggests) it also shows you the route your data takes, and how the latency is affected at each part.

In the same command line window you used for the ping test type tracert followed by the IP address or the URL of the website you wish to check. For example, you could type “tracert example.com”.

Traceroute test - Improve latency | MyRepublic

The list of numbers you see indicate the different places your data is going as it makes its way to its destination and how much latency it accumulates at each hop. This is really useful in determining what network issues are causing latency problems. If you’re facing such issues, your ISP will likely ask you to run a traceroute test.

Privacy Policy

At MyRepublic, we are committed to maintain the security and confidentiality of the personal information held by us. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how we look after the personal information we obtain or you provide us with when you use our Website ([insert Card Con URL]), attend Card Con, or correspond with us relating to Card Con.

1. Your Privacy

We will take reasonable care to ensure that your personal information is accurate, complete, up-to-date and stored in a secure environment, protected from unauthorised access, modification, loss or disclosure. 

2. Personal Information

a. “Personal Information” refers to your personal particulars obtained by us in the course of our dealings with you. Personal Information collected may include personal contact details, interests, comments and feedback, and communication preferences.

b. We may use “cookies” or other similar tracking technologies (“Cookies”), when you visit our Sites or use our products and services to distinguish you from other users. Through Cookies, it might also include how you use our Website to help us develop and improve our website, including details of your domain name and Internet Protocol (IP) address, operating system, browser version, cookie details, how long you stayed on a page, the route you took to navigate through the pages and the website that you visited prior to accessing our site.

c. We collect your personal information through the following means: 

– From you directly:
1. Data submitted through our web forms (including registration forms)
2. Data collected onsite during our exhibition(s), this includes personal information and activities
3. Data collected by  employees when in direct communication with persons / organisations

– By automated technologies / services, including:
1. Data gathered from services which use IP address to determine where the visitors to our site originate from
2. Information from actions made by an individual in response to direct marketing campaigns, including when an individual opens any emails or follows any links originating from our email communications
3. Information related to website navigation and usage
4. Data used to provide personalised marketing / user experiences while visiting our sites

– From third party sources, including:
1. Personal information or supplementary information from partners who we engage with in joint marketing efforts
2. Public data sources used to supplement or validate our existing datasets
3. Data services / suppliers used to obtain or supplement our existing datasets
4. Data which has been acquired as part of an acquisition or merger

3. How we use Your Personal Information

a. We may collect and use your Personal Information to:
1. Provide you with information and updates relating to Card Con.
2. Respond to you in relation to any enquiries you may have
3. Produce analytics relating to your usage of our products and response to our marketing activities
4. Improving our services and user experience
And where you have opted-in:
5. Deliver targeted promotional messaging relating to our services

c. MyRepublic will not use your Personal Information for any purpose not permitted by law or beyond the stated purpose you have consented to.

d. The Card Con Website contains links to other sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of other websites. 

4. Who do we share your Personal Information to

a. Apart from our staff, we may share your personal information with third parties to perform obligations or carry out services to us, related to the provision our products or services to you. Those entities may include:
(i) companies related to us;
(ii) our business partners, marketing partners and authorised service providers;
(iii) our professional advisors; and
(iv) our suppliers.

b. We are required to disclose your Personal Information to the parties described above so that they may carry out their obligations to us, and to you. Our disclosure of your Personal Information may, at times, be subject to their privacy policies. To every extent possible, we require these parties to act consistently with the personal information protections we have put in place.

c. We also reserve the right to disclose your Personal Information to law enforcement agencies, government regulators and our professional advisers, to the extent necessary as required by appliable laws.

d. If you post information on any of our Websites or social media platforms, any information on your post, such as your user name, may be seen by other visitors. 

5. How long do we retain your Personal Information

We retain your Personal Information for as long as it is necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, for legal or business purposes of MyRepublic, or as required or allowed by law. We will cease to retain such Personal Data when it is no longer required for the foregoing purposes. 

6. How you can access and update your Personal Information

a. You must ensure your listed customer details are current, complete and accurate. You may correct or update your customer details by contacting our Customer Support.

b. If you require access or a copy of your Personal Information within our possession, please contact us according to Clause 11 and we will assess your request. In some cases, we may impose a reasonable charge for making copies of Personal Information available to you. If so, we will advise you of the charge prior to making the information available to you. 

7. Withdrawing your Consent

a. You may request to withdraw your consent by contacting us according to Clause 11. Your request for withdrawal of consent will take effect within 30 days upon receipt of your request. Please note that use of your personal data may be essential for us to provide the product or service that you subscribed. Therefore, your withdrawal of consent may impair our ability to continue providing the product or service to you. Your withdrawal of consent does not affect our right to continue to collect, use and disclose personal data where permitted or required under applicable laws.

b. If you wish to withdraw your consent to receive marketing messages about our exclusive offers from us or our business partners, please contact our Customer Support or unsubscribe from our newsletter. Your request will be processed within 30 days. Non-marketing messages including product and service updates and notices will not be affected by your consent withdrawal. 

8. Protecting Your Personal Data

We take reasonable physical, technical and administrative steps to help prevent loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure or modification of Personal Information. However, please understand that the transmission of data over the Internet or any other public network may be subject to loss, interception and misuse. We do not represent, warrant or undertake that your Personal Information transmitted through online means will remain secure, and disclaim all liability arising from such transmission. 

9. Overseas Transfers

We will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that your personal information is treated securely and in accordance with this Policy and the data protection legislation when it is processed in, or otherwise accessed from, a location outside Singapore. In order to ensure the highest level of protection. MyRepublic abides by PDPA data standards. 

10. Cookies

a. Cookies helps us to provide you with a better customer experience, when browsing our Sites. Cookies are small data files and may contain unique identifiers stored on your device by an online site. When you use our Site, we may collect standard information that is sent from your browser to our Website, including technical and statistical information.

b. You can usually choose to set your browser settings to manage Cookies. If you choose to remove or reject Cookies, you may not be able to access all or parts of our Website or services. 

11. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may review, amend or update this Privacy Policy from time to time without prior written notice. Updates to the Privacy Policy will be published on this page. We recommend that your review this page periodically for updates. Your continuous use of our Websites, products and services, will be deemed acceptance of any changes or additions to this Privacy Policy. 

12. Contacting Us

If you have any query or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy, you may contact our Data Protection Officer at: [email protected].

Last updated 26 March 2025 

Card Con – Visitor Terms and Conditions

By registering for Card Con, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

1. Introduction

1.1 These Terms and Conditions (“Terms“) govern the registration and participation of attendees (“Attendees“) in Card Con by MyRepublic (“Card Con“), organised by MyRepublic (“Organiser“).

1.2 By registering for Card Con, Participants agree to comply with these Terms and the Card Con Privacy Policy.

2. Registration

2.1 Registration for Card Conis free of charge.

2.2 Attendeesmust provide accurate and complete information during the online registrationon the Card Con website at https://myrepublic.net/sg/card-con/ (“Website”) and must present their QR code upon registration at Card Con.

2.3 MyRepublic reserves the right to refuse or revoke anAttendee’sregistration at its sole discretion.

3. Event Conduct

3.1 Attendeesshall conduct themselves respectfully and follow all rules set by the Organiser.

3.2 Any disruptive, illegal, or inappropriate behaviour, including but not limited to harassment, cheating or other misconduct, may result in immediate removal from the Event.

3.3 Attendeesmust adhere to all venue rules and regulations.

4. Intellectual Property

4.1 Attendeesshall not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights during Card Con.

4.2 Unauthorised reproduction, distribution, or possession of copyrighted or trademarked materials is strictly prohibited.

4.3 The Organiser may take appropriate action against any Attendeefound violating intellectual property laws, including but not limited to removal from Card Con.

4.4 The Organiser disclaims all liability to the Attendees and any third parties for the infringement of laws, regulations, intellectual property rights, and venue requirements by the exhibitors, vendors and Attendees.

5. Liability Disclaimer

5.1 Subject to applicable law, the Organiser, the venue, the vendor,and the exhibitors disclaim all liability for any injury, damage or loss of any kind, including but not limited to personal injury, loss, or damage to property suffered by Attendeesduring the Event, even if it is caused by the negligence, omission, or fault of the Organiser, its employees, officers, agents, or sub-contractors in connection with the Website, or Card Con.

5.2 The Organiser shall not be responsible for any disputes, damages, or losses arising from transactions or interactions between Attendees, or between Attendees and the exhibitors at Card Con.

5.3 Attendeesattend Card Con at their own risk and are responsible for their own personal belongings.

6. Photography and Media Release

6.1 The Organiser may take photographs, videos, or other recordings during Card Confor promotional purposes.

6.2 By attending Card Con, Attendeesconsent to the use of their likeness in such media without compensation.

7. Tournament & Prize Terms (If Applicable)

7.1 Tournament participants must follow official tournament rules and regulations.

7.2 Prizes are non-transferable, and non-exchangeable.

7.3 Any disputes will be resolved by the Organiser or its appointed vendors, and their decision will be final.

8. Amendments and Cancellation

8.1 The Organiser reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time without prior notice.

8.2 The Organiser may cancel, postpone, or modify Card Conat its sole discretion without liability.

9. Governing Law

9.1 These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of Singapore.

9.2 Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Singapore.