We know the website by its domain name but each website also has its own IP address. An IP address is the numerical identifier of each computer or device connected to the Internet. IP addresses are used to connect different devices over the Internet. However, we do not need to learn the IP addresses of each device. To make websites accessible easily, computer engineers made domain names. When we enter the domain name of a website in the address bar, the web browser first finds its IP address and then makes a connection to the IP address to show the website. DNS servers act as intermediaries between your computer and the internet. It translates the domain names you type into your web browser into the IP addresses that computers use to locate the websites you want to visit. When you type a domain name into your web browser, your computer sends a query to a DNS server to request the IP address associated with that domain name. The DNS server then looks up the IP address in a database and returns it to your computer. It allows your web browser to connect to the website you want to visit. Consider DNS as a phonebook of the internet that helps browsers connect with websites.
Also see: Best Free and Public DNS Servers
Can a good DNS improve gaming?
Yes, by lowering latency, a good DNS (Domain Name System) may enhance the gaming experience. It also improves overall network performance for better gaming. When you play online games, your computer needs to regularly communicate with the game server to send and receive data while you are playing game. This communication between your computer and game server relies on your internet connection where you can face latency and packet loss issues. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel between your computer and the server. On the other hand, packet loss is the loss of data packets during transmission over the network. A good DNS can help reduce latency and packet loss by optimizing the route that data takes between your computer and the game server. When you request a domain name, your DNS server responds with the IP address of the server. A fast and reliable DNS server can help ensure that your connection to the game server is optimized for low latency and minimal packet loss. In gaming, each millisecond sounds, so the DNS server plays an important role.
Some DNS providers offer specialized services for gaming, such as filtering out malicious traffic or prioritizing gaming traffic over other types of internet traffic for better performance. These services can further improve gaming performance by reducing network congestion and improving overall network stability.
Also see: Ways to earn money by playing video games
What factors should you consider when choosing a DNS for gaming?
When selecting a DNS for gaming, there are several factors you should consider to ensure that you choose a service that will improve your gaming performance. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Latency: Latency is really an important factor when selecting a gaming DNS. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel between your computer and the game server. A good DNS can help reduce latency by optimizing network routes. So, it reduces the time it takes for your computer to connect to the game server. Look for a DNS provider that has a reputation for fast and reliable service. You also need to check if the DNS service provider also has servers located close to your geographic location. Low latency is really important for gaming because even a millisecond delay can affect it.
Packet loss: Packet loss is another important factor to consider while selecting a DNS for gaming. Packet loss occurs when data is lost during transmission. A good DNS can help reduce packet loss by prioritizing gaming traffic and filtering out malicious traffic. Look for a DNS provider that offers specialized gaming services or that has a reputation for providing reliable and stable service. No gamer can afford the packet loss during intense gaming sessions.
Security: Online gaming can expose your computer to security risks, such as DDoS attacks and malware. Your competing gamer can perform a DDOS attack on your system to affect your network performance. Look for a DNS provider that offers security features such as filtering out malicious traffic and protecting against DDoS attacks.
Compatibility: Make sure the DNS provider you choose is compatible with your gaming platform, gaming server, and internet service provider. Although most DNS providers are compatible with most gaming platforms, some DNS providers may not work with certain platforms or ISPs. So it is important to do your research and choose a provider that is compatible with your setup.
Now that you know everything about DNS, their importance in gaming, and factors to consider, you can have a look at the best DNS providers for gaming. These are public DNS for gaming. You only need to change the DNS server in your computer’s network settings.
| DNS Provider | Public IPv4 Address | Public IPv6 Address |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare DNS | 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 | 2606:4700:4700::1111 2606:4700:4700::1002 |
| Google DNS | 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 | 2001:4860:4860::8888 2001:4860:4860::8844 |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 9.9.9.10 | 2620:fe::fe 2620:fe::9 |
| DNS.Watch | 84.200.69.80 84.200.70.40 | 2001:1608:10:25::1c04:b12f 2001:1608:10:25::9249:d69b |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220 | 2620:119:35::35 2620:119:53::53 |
| Level 3 | 209.244.0.3 209.244.0.4 | |
| Comodo Secure DNS | 8.26.56.26 8.20.247.20 |
I hope you know how to change DNS servers on your computer. I am not going into the details of that process. If anyone needs help with that, let me know using the comments section. I will surely help.







