GearUP displays several real-time indicators. We break down what each one means, what values are considered normal, and what you can do to improve them.
Ping (Latency)
Ping is the time in milliseconds it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to the game server and back. It is the primary indicator of connection quality for online gaming.
| Ping value | Rating | In-game feel |
|---|---|---|
| < 30 ms | Excellent | Indistinguishable from a local network |
| 30–60 ms | Good | Comfortable in any genre |
| 60–100 ms | Acceptable | Noticeable in shooters, fine for MOBA/MMO |
| 100–150 ms | Poor | Shooting delays, reactions lag behind |
| > 150 ms | Critical | Teleporting, lag spikes, unplayable |
GearUP shows two values: your direct ping (ISP → server) and ping via GearUP (through the optimised route). The difference between them is your gain from the booster.
Jitter
Jitter is the variation in ping over time. If your ping jumps from 20 to 100 ms every few seconds, jitter is high. It causes stuttering and rubber-banding even when the average ping looks normal.
| Jitter | Rating | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| < 10 ms | Excellent | Stable connection |
| 10–30 ms | Acceptable | Minor fluctuations, not critical |
| 30–60 ms | Poor | Noticeable stuttering in fast-paced games |
| > 60 ms | Critical | Characters teleport, shots don't register |
GearUP reduces jitter by stabilising the network route. Wi-Fi is the biggest source of jitter — switch to a wired connection and jitter typically drops 3–5x.
Packet Loss
Packet loss is the percentage of data that never reaches the server or returns. Even 1% loss in a shooter means every 100th shot disappears into thin air.
- 0% — ideal, normal for a wired connection
- 0.1–1% — acceptable, barely noticeable
- 1–3% — instability is felt, worth investigating
- 3%+ — serious problem: check your Wi-Fi, router, and ISP
If GearUP has reduced ping but packet loss remains high, the problem is inside your home network (router, cables) — not on the route to the server. GearUP cannot fix issues within your LAN.
DKP and ACP — connection quality metrics
Some versions of GearUP show the abbreviations DKP and ACP — these are composite connection quality scores that GearUP calculates based on ping, jitter and packet loss.
- DKP (Delay Key Packets) — delay of critical game packets. Lower is better. Shows how quickly important data (button presses, shots) reaches the server.
- ACP (Average Connection Performance) — overall quality score of your connection through GearUP. Higher is better. If ACP is below 60, try switching region.
Normal values: DKP — closer to 0 is better; ACP — higher is better. Both metrics are calculated automatically; you cannot change them directly — only improve your underlying network conditions.
DKP/ACP metric names may differ across GearUP versions. If you see different abbreviations, look at the context: a latency indicator (lower = better) and a quality indicator (higher = better).
How to use Ping Test in GearUP
GearUP has a built-in connection test to game servers:
- Select your game in GearUP without pressing Boost — find the game card and click the measurement icon / "Ping Test" next to the server selector.
- Wait for results across all regions — GearUP will check ping to each available server and show: direct ping and ping via GearUP. Choose the region with the largest improvement.
- Start Boost with the optimal region — if the test shows, for example, direct ping 120 ms and GearUP ping 60 ms — that is a solid result. Press Boost for that region.
How to improve your metrics
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| High ping | Non-optimal ISP route | Enable GearUP, switch server region |
| High jitter | Wi-Fi, overloaded router | Switch to ethernet, restart router |
| Packet loss >1% | Weak Wi-Fi signal, interference | Use cable or move closer to router |
| GearUP doesn't lower ping | Route already optimal / wrong region | Try a different region or "Auto" |
| FPS drops with GearUP | Antivirus conflict / driver issue | Add GearUP to antivirus exclusions |
| Low DKP/ACP | Unstable home network | Ethernet + router restart |
FAQ
What ping is considered normal for online gaming?
Under 50 ms is excellent, 50–100 ms is fine for most games, 100–150 ms introduces noticeable delays, above 150 ms makes competitive play uncomfortable. In shooters anything above 80 ms is critical.
GearUP lowered my ping but I still have lag — why?
Ping and lag are not the same thing. Lag can be caused by jitter (unstable connection), packet loss, or a weak PC. GearUP optimises the route but does not replace a stable internet connection.
Why is my packet loss not 0%?
A small loss (0.1–1%) is normal on any network. If loss exceeds 3% there is a real problem: weak Wi-Fi signal, overloaded router, or an unstable ISP connection.
What does it mean if jitter is 50 ms with a ping of 30 ms?
It means the connection is unstable: ping fluctuates between 5 and 80 ms. High jitter is worse than high ping — the game stutters unpredictably. GearUP helps reduce jitter by providing a more stable route.
How do I improve ACP (connection quality) in GearUP?
Try: 1) switching the server region in GearUP, 2) connecting via ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi, 3) restarting your router, 4) closing background apps that use the network.