How do you optimize game streaming?

P33BIRD · March 30

Recently, I took an interest in using remote play on Steam. My experience hasn't been great so far. My host PC is running on a network of 8 MB upload and 100 MB download and is wired via Ethernet. I use my Steam deck for the client, and even at 480p 30fps streaming, I still get stutters and the occasional lag spikes. I am slightly knowledgeable about networking, and I've forwarded the proper ports as well. I would note what my modem and router are, but I'm away from home for a few days and can't get the exact specifics. I know they're at least 7–8 years old. I guess my question is, how can one optimize the best potential for game streaming? Are there any specific modems or routers that work better for it? What settings or things should I do for my host and client computers? Just anything in general to make it a better experience. I don't expect to be streaming crazy 4K or anything from my 8MB upload, but when I can't even achieve 480p 30fps streaming properly, I just feel like something has to be wrong.

(Also I'm just using steam remote play to do this.)

Eigenvektor · March 30

35 minutes ago, P33BIRD said:

My host PC is running on a network of 8 MB upload and 100 MB download and is wired via Ethernet.

Just to be clear, are you talking about 100 MB/s and 8 MB/s or 100 Mbps and 8 Mbps? That's a big difference.

35 minutes ago, P33BIRD said:

Are there any specific modems or routers that work better for it?

Not really, you primarily need a contract with your ISP that gives you better upload speed than what you currently have (based on the assumption you're talking about 8 Mbps)

Maybe have a look at hardware encoding on the host PC, if you haven't enabled that already, see:

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0689-74B8-92AC-10F2#intelhardwareencoding

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0689-74B8-92AC-10F2#nvidiahardwareencoding

35 minutes ago, P33BIRD said:

but when I can't even achieve 480p 30fps streaming properly, I just feel like something has to be wrong.

Depends on how well the content is compressed by your computer (i.e. how much bandwidth is still required) and how much performance overhead that introduces and whether your hardware is up for it.

P33BIRD · March 30

20 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

Just to be clear, are you talking about 100 MB/s and 8 MB/s or 100 Mbps and 8 Mbps? That's a big difference.

Not really, you primarily need a contract with your ISP that gives you better upload speed than what you currently have (based on the assumption you're talking about 8 Mbps)

Maybe have a look at hardware encoding on the host PC, if you haven't enabled that already, see:

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0689-74B8-92AC-10F2#intelhardwareencoding

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0689-74B8-92AC-10F2#nvidiahardwareencoding

Depends on how well the content is compressed by your computer (i.e. how much bandwidth is still required) and how much performance overhead that introduces and whether your hardware is up for it.