WIFI connectivity can be deadly to gaming. WIFI connections are subject to interference which can dramatically impact the throughput or your connection.
But those problems "come and go" causing "lag-like effects."
This is especially true in the City or an apartment building. "Channel" Interference from other WIFI hubs nearby impacts far more folks than they realize.
It's usually not enough to "stop" things cold, but it can slow things down significantly by requiring constant "retransmissions" between the WIFI Hub and your computer. If you can see more than your own WIFI connection, they you are a candidate for interference. ... long before you worry about cordless phones, microwaves, baby-monitors, etc. all of which can slow down your WiFi connection.
Modern Operating Systems (in both the PC and the Hub) tend to do a reasonably good job of picking a optimal channel... but not really. This is partially because the problem is dynamic. What was a clear channel at 7AM can be crowded at 7PM. But your "system" is locked into the situation it chose when it was powered up. You can help things somewhat by "sniffing" and picking a channel with few or no others using it.... but that "sniff" can change as your neighbor (spouse, partner) fire up their laptops...
Also, as I found out with Clearwire, such things that you CAN'T see can interfere with your connection. Like making popcorn in your microwave. I do agree that Internet Topography is fascinating. Its rather like the ultimate "Does String 1 go to A, B, C, D?" In my networking class we'd do hop counts, then try and locate the routers at each hop. Crazy. It turns out that computers sometimes have strange definitions of "shortest hop".
Originally Posted by Valamar
The Well Met
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