As an intermediate player I can assure you that having those rates make a huge impact on how good you and how easy you can be hit. Obviously CAL and CEVO have certain rates you that you have to abide by. Otherwise people would just do a CMD rate of 1. With it so low they would be nearly impossible to hit.

Of course if you're in Seattle trying to connect to a Dallas server, lower rates will make you lag less.

Your game rates really make a big difference, and if you don't have them set correctly you are a noob.

Oh, I am sorry, I didn't make myself clear... :/

I meant that for his problem, which was his FPS, not necessarily server lag. I know that they make a large difference, as I have had to fight people that have crappy rates, which isn't too fun.