If you’re a gamer, having a gigabit internet connection just makes sense. Beyond powering multiple connected devices, it also can download massive games in record time. So, I decided to put this to the test to find out how fast I could download them with a 1 Gbps connection.
Using my Steam account, I downloaded several AAA games on a gaming laptop connected via Ethernet to an ASUS ZenWiFi Pro XT12 mesh router, which was plugged directly into my PLDT Home Fiber modem. Before downloading, I ran a Speedtest.net check and we were getting up to 900 Mbps, which is impressive. I purposely used a wired connection since speeds on wireless connections may vary depending on the device’s specifications. My goal was to measure not just peak speeds but also the actual time it takes to complete the downloads.
Here’s how long it took me to download some of the biggest games in my library:
| Game Title | Size (GB) | Peak Speeds (Mbps) | Download Time (mins) |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | 121.4 | 825.3 | 24 |
| Delta Force | 109.6 | 812.9 | 22 |
| Final Fantasy XVI | 113.5 | 843.1 | 20 |
| Elden Ring | 66.5 | 806.7 | 13 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 58.5 | 798.2 | 12 |
| Red Dead Redemption II | 112.9 | 869.4 | 20 |
It’s important to note that Steam only displays your peak download speeds, not the average speeds.
Given the impressive speeds, games with large file sizes like Baldur’s Gate 3, Final Fantasy XVI, and Red Dead Redemption II took less than 30 minutes to download. That’s short enough for a coffee or snack break while watching YouTube or TikTok. By the time I returned to my desk, the games were ready to play.
In my case, I had several CCTVs and smart devices running, plus family members playing games and watching YouTube during the test. Yet, my downloads didn’t cause any lag or slowdown for others. That’s a good sign — even with heavy downloads on my end, my bandwidth was large enough not to disrupt anyone else on the network. That’s the power of a high-capacity connection.
What I realized after this test is that a 1 Gbps internet connection is more than just the speed. It gives you flexibility and can change the way you manage time. You don’t have to plan your downloads or wait overnight to install a 100GB game. Now it’s no longer a frustrating chore and it can be done during quick breaks.
PLDT Home offers Fiber Plans with speeds of up to 1 Gbps. ICYMI, all Fiber plans are currently on speedboost. For example, if you opt for a PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan with speeds of up to 700 Mbps, you can enjoy up to 1Gbps for your first six months. Now, that’s a good deal!
Check out www.pldthome.com/internet.
