# Improve Arma 3 Server Performance

Improve Arma3 performance: reduce lag, boost tick rate – optimization tips from NexoraHost.

**Quick answer:** Improve server performance with targeted config changes – check RAM/CPU usage, tune settings and remove heavy mods/scripts.

This guide shows you how to optimize your Arma 3 server performance. Arma 3 is known for its high CPU usage – with these settings you'll get more stability and fewer lags.

## Optimize hardware

    - **CPU:** Arma 3 benefits massively from high single-core performance. A modern processor with high clock speed (4.0 GHz+) is more important than many cores. An i5 at 4.5 GHz clearly beats an old 16-core Xeon
- **RAM:** 8 GB minimum, 16 GB for servers with mods. Fast RAM (3200 MHz+) brings noticeable improvements
- **Storage:** Use NVMe SSD instead of HDD – mission files and mods load much faster

## Optimize startup parameters

Add these parameters to your startup file:

`-cpuCount=4 -exThreads=7 -high -maxMem=8192 -noLogs -enableHT`

    - **-cpuCount=4:** Number of physical cores the server should use
- **-exThreads=7:** Number of threads (always cpuCount * 2 - 1)
- **-high:** Sets server process to high priority in Windows
- **-maxMem=8192:** Maximum RAM in MB (8192 = 8 GB)
- **-noLogs:** Disables file logging – saves I/O and CPU
- **-enableHT:** Enables hyper-threading support

## Optimize basic.cfg

These settings improve network performance and reduce bandwidth spikes:

`MinBandwidth = 131072;
MaxBandwidth = 104857600;
MaxMsgSend = 256;
MaxSizeGuaranteed = 512;
MaxSizeNonguaranteed = 256;
MinErrorToSendNear = 0.029999999;
MinErrorToSend = 0.003;
MaxCustomFileSize = 0;`

    - **MaxMsgSend:** 256 instead of default 128 – more messages per frame possible
- **MinErrorToSend:** 0.003 instead of 0.01 – more frequent position updates, less warping
- **MaxCustomFileSize:** 0 disables size limit for custom files

## Optimize server.cfg

`verifySignatures = 0;
battleye = 1;
allowedFilePatching = 0;
kickDuplicate = 1;
loopCheck = 1;
equalModRequired = 0;
voteMissionPlayers = 1;
voteThreshold = 0.5;
maxPlayers = 32;
persistent = 1;`

    - **verifySignatures = 0:** Disables signature verification – less CPU load, but only recommended for private servers
- **allowedFilePatching = 0:** Prevents unauthorized changes to game files
- **kickDuplicate = 1:** Kicks duplicate connections – saves resources
- **equalModRequired = 0:** Allows players with fewer mods to join

## Use headless clients

Headless clients distribute AI load across multiple processes. This is one of the most effective optimizations for Arma 3 servers with many AI units:

    - Start one or more headless clients in addition to the main server
- Each headless client handles a portion of AI calculations
- Noticeably relieves the main server thread
- Especially effective for missions with 50+ AI units

## Reduce AI count

    - Fewer AI units = less CPU load. Reduce the number of simultaneous AI enemies
- Disable AI in areas where no players are present
- Use scripts that only spawn AI near players (e.g. DAC or ALICE)

## Optimize mods

    - Only install mods that are actually needed – each mod increases loading time and memory usage
- Large modpacks like RHS, CUP or ACE put heavy load on the server
- Regularly check mods for updates – outdated versions cause errors
- Optimize mod load order: Load dependencies first

## Mission optimization

    - Avoid too many objects on the map – every building and vehicle consumes resources
- Disable simulation for objects far away from players
- Use Dynamic Simulation – standard in newer missions
- Limit the number of simultaneously active scripts and triggers

## Restart server regularly

    - Daily restart prevents memory leaks – Arma 3 is known for this
- Use Windows Task Scheduler or cronjob for automatic restarts
- Always stop the server with `#shutdown`, don't close the window

## Quick checklist

    - Choose CPU with high single-core performance, use NVMe SSD
- Use startup parameters -cpuCount, -exThreads and -high
- Adjust basic.cfg with optimized network values
- Use headless clients for AI calculations
- Reduce AI count, enable Dynamic Simulation
- Deactivate unnecessary mods
- Restart server daily