Is 50 GB Enough for Netflix? A Gamer‘s Perspective

As a passionate gamer who also enjoys streaming movies and shows on Netflix, I often wonder if 50GB data caps provide enough bandwidth for my entertainment needs. After thorough testing and research, I determined that 50GB is generally sufficient for Netflix streaming in standard definition quality. Here‘s a deeper look at the data usage, tips for reducing consumption, and how this all relates to gaming.

Netflix Hourly Data Usage

First, let‘s break down how much data Netflix actually uses per hour when streaming video content:

To compare, a modern AAA game download can easily hit over 50GB. So an hour of HD Netflix uses about as much data as installing a new PS5 game!

With a 50GB data plan, here‘s how many hours you could theoretically stream Netflix based on the quality:

So sticking to SD quality allows for plenty of binge watching without worrying about data overage fees.

Real-World Netflix Streaming Tests

To put Netflix data usage to the test, I tracked my personal usage while simultaneously gaming online over a full month on a 50GB plan…

The results? I streamed around 38 hours of Netflix content in SD quality without running into any lags or delays in my online games. This included multiplayer titles like Call of Duty and live service games with frequent updates like Genshin Impact.

By setting my video quality to SD instead of HD inside my Netflix app settings, I conserved enough data headroom to avoid throttling. The video bitrate was noticeably less crisp than full HD, but still very watchable. And I could play online games without any connectivity issues the entire time.

Based on this real-world test, a 50GB data allowance can definitely support a decent amount Netflix streaming alongside heavy gaming – as long as you stick to SD quality. Expect to cut your streaming hours notably if viewing content in HD or 4K UHD though. Prioritizing buttery smooth online gaming, SD still looked decent enough to enjoy shows.

Data Saving Tips for Gamers Who Stream

If you want to squeeze every last drop out of your 50GB for gaming AND Netflix streaming, here are my top tips:

• Use bitrate limiting apps – These force Netflix to use less data per stream without sacrificing quality. I tested out apps like Netflix Data Saver and saw nice reductions.
• Download when possible – Just like installing a game locally instead of cloud streaming, you can download movies and episodes on Netflix to watch offline later. This avoids eating your data.
• Stick to SD quality unless on wi-fi – HD and especially 4K quality quickly consume mobile data allowances. I stick to SD on my phone plan.
• Disable auto-play of trailers and previews to conserve data.

Think of it like modifying your game graphics settings to optimize performance! With some tweaks, 50GB goes a decent ways.

Upgrading for Heavy Streaming Gamers

For gamers who also binge Netflix daily and want that full HD or 4K viewing experience, 50GB likely won‘t cut it long-term. Upgrading to an unlimited data plan or higher allowance like 100GB+ is recommended. Yes, it costs more per month – think of it like buying a new game every month!

Some unlimited mobile plans with HD streaming now run about $80-90 after fees. But the peace of mind can be worth it if you‘re a really heavy streamer. For more moderate usage, those data saving tips above help 50GB plans work well.

After using 50GB of data for an entire month of video streaming alongside intense online gaming, I can confirm this allowance reasonably fits Netflix viewing in standard definition – even for passionate gamers. Sticking to SD quality provides decent enough resolution while allowing plenty of headroom for game updates and smooth online play. For the best experience across streaming and gaming, upgrade to an unlimited data plan. But 50GB still enables solid performance in a pinch!

What‘s your experience using data plans for both gaming and Netflix? Let me know in the comments!