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How Much Latency Makes You a WORSE Gamer? - FT. TypicalGamer, BBNO$, Khanada

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips1.3M viewsDec 24, 202520:52
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Description

Thanks to ASUS ROG for sponsoring this video!

Promos

Check out our Channel Partners: Secretlab - Save up to $249 during their holiday sale (ends Jan. 2nd): lmg.gg PIA - Get the VPN of our choice: piavpn.com dbrand - Buy a "Circuit" series skin for your device: dbrand.com ► GET OUR MERCH: lttstore.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Affiliate links powered in part by affilimate.com Linus Sebastian is an investor in Framework Computer, Inc CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 2:10 Let the Testing Begin! - BBNO$ 5:08 Can a Pro do Better? - Khanada 7:22 "Not as Good at Gaming" - Linus Sebastian 8:41 A Typical Gamer - Typical Gamer 9:55 The Battle Begins - Linus vs. Typical Gamer 11:41 All you Need is Awareness? - BBNO$ vs. Khanada 14:23 Breaking News: Skill Matters 15:23 The Results from our Tests 17:30 Testing our Team 18:58 Final Thoughts 20:12 Outro

Channels and socials

Check out their latest lineup of gaming products using our links: ROG OLED Gaming Monitors: rog.gg ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W Monitor: rog.gg ROG G700 Desktop: ca.rog.gg ROG Peripherals: us.rog.gg Does Low Input Latency make you a better Gamer? We team up with certified gamers like BBNO$, TypicalGamer, and Khanada to find out! Using ASUS ROG peripherals, we add controlled input lag to see exactly how much latency impacts gaming performance, K/D ratio, and competitive skill. Does every millisecond matter, or are manufacturers trying to sell you snake oil? Typical Gamer: @TypicalGamer Khanada: @Khanada BBNO$: @bbnomula Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com

Start
AI OverviewDefault language

How Much Latency Makes You a WORSE Gamer? explores a tightly controlled experiment to measure how input delay affects gaming performance across players of different skill levels. The video opens by framing a practical question: at what latency do you start to be blamed for losses in your KD or win rate? The host explains the experimental setup, describing three nearly identical rigs equipped with ASUS ROG hardware, all connected to a monitoring system that can inject latency in 1 ms steps. The study uses Arduino-based latency boxes to adjust the total system latency from 0 to 100 ms, all while players perform Aim Lab tasks and live match movements against each other. The base system latency is established at around 12.25 ms, and the team stakes the integrity of results on keeping the exact latency increment at a single point in the chain for consistency. As the tests proceed, each participant provides on-screen reactions and commentary that illustrate how even small latency changes reshape timing, accuracy, and feel. The segment with Linus from Linus Tech Tips introduces the idea that latency primarily causes overshooting rather than simply slowing reaction times, and that the perceived impact can vary with the task and the player’s skill level. The video then pivots to a head-to-head 1v1 between Linus and Typical Gamer to test real-time decision making under varying latency, highlighting how awareness and anticipation can bend the outcome even when latency is relatively low. The later sections discuss the implications of monitor choice, game sensor limitations, and the importance of awareness versus raw skill, culminating in a nuanced takeaway: latency matters, but skill, experience, and perception still play a decisive role in real-game performance. The host crew emphasizes that the results are semi-scientific yet robust enough to inform consumer choices around gaming peripherals and latency-prone settings, and they invite viewers to explore additional data and downloadable graphs for deeper analysis. The closing reflections reinforce a balanced view: lower latency helps, but the most skilled players still win because of better decision-making and speed, not just faster inputs, making a strong case for prioritizing both hardware quality and practice. overall, the video aims to separate marketing hype from measurable effects, offering a data-driven lens on whether “snake oil latency” is a real concern for most players or a premium feature for high-end esports. The sponsorship segment with ASUS ROG is acknowledged, and the conclusion suggests that while latency can be a differentiator, true gaming excellence comes from practice and strategic awareness as much as from equipment alone.

Topics · gaming · latency · peripherals · science_and_technology · esports

Questions answered

What is the minimum latency at which performance noticeably degrades according to the tests?
The tests indicate that small increases in latency begin to impact performance around the 10 ms mark, with more pronounced effects observed as latency approaches 50 ms, where scores drop significantly.
Does the video suggest peripherals alone determine skill?
No, the video shows that while low latency peripherals help, skill and experience still play a decisive role, and latency cannot fully compensate for lower level gameplay.
How is latency introduced in the experiment?
Latency is added in 1 ms increments using Arduino-based boxes connected to each setup, allowing precise control over the latency from 0 to 100 ms.
Which tasks were used to measure performance besides 1v1 matches?
Aim Lab tasks were used to benchmark reaction time, accuracy, and tracking under varying latency conditions.
What is the takeaway regarding the value of high-end displays and peripherals?
The takeaway is that while higher-end peripherals with low input latency can help, true competitive advantage largely comes from skill and awareness, not just gear.