Keep these requirements in mind when you’re planning to outfit a computer for this task:
• A capable gaming server
The rig that will actually run the games. It should be as powerful as your budget allows. Get the best GPU (graphics processing unit) you can afford, as it will affect both in-game graphics and streaming quality.
• A fast, stable Internet connection
Unless you’re planning to play on a local network, your Internet connection must be flawless. At least 5MBs are needed to ensure adequate performance for a singleplayer game. However, with more connections, the requirements will increase exponentially. Don’t forget about the impact of latency. Latency can be affected by the physical distance between you and the server, as well as your connection type. Wired connection will produce the best results, but high-speed Wi-Fi or 5G may be sufficient.
• A mobile or desktop client
The receiving device. It can be a different computer, a laptop, a phone or a tablet, depending on the type of software you’ll be using to connect to the server. It only has to be powerful enough to decode a video stream. In other words, if it runs Netflix, Twitch or other video-streaming service, it will handle cloud gaming.
• Client-side and server-side software
The streaming software that you’ll use will significantly impact the quality of your experience. Resolution options, network settings, controls, and other non-network factors should be taken into account. You should be prepared to test input delay and latency to determine if your app/service of choice is good enough.
