Latency fix addon

[Tirkad]

Hi everyone. I just wanted you to know that while wasting time on the (almost) useless official wow forum, i read a post where someone suggested to try Leatrix Latency Fix to improve the connection performance while playing wow or any other online game that rely on fast player responses. This is not an addon like the others, so i'll spend a little time to explain it for the people who don't want to read what its creator wrote on the download page.
First thing first:
Is it safe?
Yes, i think it is. I've scanned it with 3 different anti spyware and antiviruses. I've read the whole files (everyone can do this by opening those files with any txt editor - like windows notepad -) and made myself sure that all it does is modify some values of the windows register (you'll find a better explanation of what it does in the next point). In addition, i've already tried it on my computer, and i was glad i did it.

What does it do? Do i need it?
I think the words of the programmer who made this addon are clear enough, so i'll post them as you can find on the link above:

If you could listen to a conversation between your computer and the game server, this is what you would hear.

Before Leatrix Latency Fix is installed:
Server: "Ok computer, I just sent a data packet over, got it?"
Your computer: ...
Server: "Come on, answer me! I don't have all day!"
Your computer: ...
Server: "Ok, forget it, I've waited long enough, sending another one over! Got it?"
Your computer: "Yep, got that one, also got the one you sent before, thanks."
Server: "Well, why didn't you acknowledge the first one when I sent it? I was waiting ages!"
Your computer: "Sorry, I'm just trying to make the network more efficient by bundling the acknowledgments together in pairs."
Server: "Nevermind efficiency, this isn't a corporate domain you know."
Your computer: "Well sorry but this is how I'm setup by default."
Server: "Look, this is a World of Warcraft gaming computer! This player needs fast responses, lives are at stake!"
Your computer: "So, what do you suggest?"
Server: "Here, have this latency fix, go on, get that down you."
Your computer: "Will this mess anything up?"
Server: "No, don't worry, it's only a simple change, I can reverse it if you don't like it but I think you will."
Your computer: "Ok, go for it."
Server: "Ok, it's installed. Restart for me? Ok, now.. ready? Let's try again..."
After Leatrix Latency Fix is installed:
Server: "Ok computer, I just sent a data packet over, got it?"
Your computer: "Yep, send the next!"
Server: "That was fast! Ok, here's another, got that?"
Your computer: "Yep, send the next!"
Server: "Wow! What an improvement! Much better than giving me the silent treatment so I am forced to wait for acknowledgement timeouts, isn't it?
Your computer: "Yep, it's certainly keeping me on my toes, thanks!"
Server: "Don't thank me, all I did was give you a dose of Leatrix Latency Fix."

A more technical explanation, is that this fix will change the value of TCP ACK packets that the OS needs to gather to send them all together to 1, thus avoiding the server waiting timeout.
Anyway, if you usually have a latency under 60 ms, you'll probably get little advantage, but if you, like me, are used to latency of about 200 ms, well you'll enjoy the improvement. Just to make an example, i have now an average latency of 60 ms.

Isn't it bad to change the default parameters?
Windows default parameters are set to provide an high network efficiency and to save as much bandwidth without being a burden for live applications. However, some applications and live online games in particular, such as WoW, require a very high priority. In any case, i can grant you that, if you're not running a lan party with dozens of computers connected at the same time, you will only notice the advantages.

How to install it.
you'll get a rar file from the download link i provided. Once extracted, the folder will contain 3 vbs scripts and a link. Forget the link, and pay attention to the 3 script files. The script files are:
Leatrix Latency Fix Checker.vbs - If you use this file, you can see if you already have installed the "addon".
Optimise TCP for reduced latency and faster gameplay.vbs - This will install the addon.
Restore TCP back to Windows defaults.vbs - This will restore the windows register values to their default value.
Just use double click on the second file (Optimise TCP for reduced latency and faster gameplay.vbs) and you'll have it installed. Now you can move/remove the addons files as you wish, however, i suggest to keep at least a copy of the rar file you downloaded, if in future you'll want to restore the default parameters. You will have to restart the pc after the fix is applied.

I hope you'll enjoy this as much as i do, it's a bless for PvP. :boxing:

[Gandalf]

Yeah, they're safe. They're just scripts that tweaks your registry to optimise your network stack.

[saori]

Im certainly going to give a try to this. From Malaysia i'm used to have around 500ms latency. Let's see how much improves!:)

[TeaLeaf]

Worth everyone adding them or is it a sort of fix only to be used if you have a specific problem?

[Gandalf]

Worth everyone adding them or is it a sort of fix only to be used if you have a specific problem?

Yes, the specific problem people will have is quite common. It's called Windows XP, Vista and 7.

Of course, if you're playing WoW on a mac, then you don't need this tweak

[Azunai]

Yes, the specific problem people will have is quite common. It's called Windows XP, Vista and 7.

Of course, if you're playing WoW on a mac, then you don't need this tweak

Indeed, just a simple tweek won't be enough if you're running a mac :lmfao:

[TeaLeaf]

Tweaked it and my normal 80ms ping dropped to 20-40ms.  Sweet.

[JonnyAppleSeed]

I went from 80 to 40. :yahoo:

[Mat]

Well its amazing here so far dropped from 150-200 to 30-40 atm. Will see how is it going over time though. Cheers!

[saori]

I want from 550-650ms average to 350ms steady!! Major improvement, I had loved this addon/windows tweak!! 120% recommended to everyone!:D:D:D