# Improve Factorio Server Performance

Improve Factorio 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.

# 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

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