Improve Factorio Server Performance

Improve Factorio Server Performance

This guide shows you how to optimize your Factorio server performance. Factorio is already extremely well optimized – with these settings you can squeeze out the last bit of performance, especially with large factories and many players.

Factorio's special feature: UPS

Unlike other games, Factorio measures performance in UPS (Updates Per Second). The standard is 60 UPS. If UPS drops below 60, the game runs noticeably slower. Every factory, every conveyor belt and every inserter consumes UPS – the larger the factory, the more important optimization becomes.

1. Optimize hardware

• CPU: Factorio benefits massively from high single-core performance and fast RAM. A modern processor with high clock speed (4.0 GHz+) is more important than many cores. Factorio mainly uses one core for game logic
• RAM: Fast RAM (3200 MHz+) with low latencies brings noticeable improvements. Factorio is memory-intensive with large factories
• Storage: NVMe SSD for fast autosaves. The non_blocking_saving feature helps, but a slow storage medium still slows things down

2. Optimize server settings

In server-settings.json:

{
  "non_blocking_saving": true,
  "auto_pause": true,
  "only_admins_can_pause_the_game": true,
  "autosave_interval": 15,
  "autosave_slots": 3,
  "max_upload_in_kilobytes_per_second": 0,
  "minimum_latency_in_ticks": 0,
  "max_upload_slots": 10
}

• non_blocking_saving: true = game continues running while saving. Keep this enabled at all times
• auto_pause: true = server pauses when no one is online. Saves massive resources during empty periods
• autosave_interval: Increase to 15-20 minutes. Every save briefly stresses the server
• autosave_slots: Reduce to 3-5. Fewer slots = less memory usage
• max_upload_slots: Increase to 10-20. Allows players to download the map faster when joining

3. Optimize factory design

This is the biggest lever. Factorio has to calculate every inserter, every conveyor belt and every machine:

• Compress conveyor belts: Full belts consume less UPS than half-full ones. Always aim for full throughput
• Reduce inserters: Every inserter costs UPS. Direct insertion from machine to machine saves inserters
• Solar instead of nuclear: Solar panels are calculated as one block – nuclear with fluids and heat simulation eats UPS
• Bots instead of belts (late game): Beyond a certain factory size, logistic bots are more UPS-friendly than thousands of conveyor belts
• Productivity modules: Fewer machines for the same output = less UPS consumption

4. Enemies and pollution

• Disable or reduce enemies: Biters and spawners consume significant UPS. Set to peaceful or disable entirely for maximum performance
• Turn off pollution: Pollution calculation eats CPU. Set enemy_evolution.pollution to 0 in map generation

5. Optimize mods

• Each mod increases computing load. Only install what's really needed
• Large overhaul mods like Space Exploration or Krastorio 2 double to triple UPS load
• Performance mods like UPS Friendly or Schall's UPS Shield can help

6. Keep an eye on the server console

Press F5 in-game for the debug menu. Under show-time-usage you can see exactly what is consuming UPS:

# In the server console
/command game.speed = 1
/perf-print-statistics

The output shows update times for entities, fluids, electric network and more. This helps you find the biggest consumer.

7. Limit map size

• The more chunks are generated, the more RAM is used
• Remove unnecessarily explored areas with /delete-empty-chunks
• Limit map size in server-settings.json (if game design allows it)

8. Regular restarts

• Daily restart prevents memory leaks – even Factorio isn't perfect
• autosave_only_on_server: true keeps save files clean

Quick checklist

1. Choose CPU with high clock speed (4.0 GHz+) and fast RAM
2. Keep non_blocking_saving enabled
3. Enable auto_pause
4. Increase autosave interval to 15-20 minutes
5. Build compact: Direct insertion, full belts
6. Solar instead of nuclear, bots instead of belts in endgame
7. Reduce or disable enemies and pollution
8. Remove unnecessary mods
9. Restart server daily