How Much RAM Does a Minecraft Server Need? – Hardware Guide

This overview helps you choose the right hardware for your Minecraft server – depending on player count, server software and whether you use mods.

Note: Detailed subpages on performance optimization and server configuration can be found in the left navigation.

Without Mods (Vanilla, Paper, Purpur)

Vanilla refers to the official server without mods. Paper and Purpur are optimized variants with better performance. The values are guidelines for normal gameplay (no massive redstone contraptions or 500-animal farms).

Players	RAM	CPU
1–5	2–4 GB	2 cores at 3.0 GHz+
5–12	4–6 GB	2 cores at 3.5 GHz+
12–20	6–8 GB	3–4 cores at 3.5 GHz+
20–30	8–12 GB	4 cores at 3.8 GHz+
30+	12 GB+	4–6 cores at 4.0 GHz+

Important: Minecraft mainly uses a single core. High single-core performance is more valuable than many cores. A modern i5 with high clock speed beats an old 16-core Xeon.

With Mods (Forge, Fabric, Modpacks)

Mods consume significantly more resources. Large modpacks like All the Mods, Feed the Beast or Tekkit can push RAM and CPU to the limit even with few players. The values apply to typical modpacks with 100–250 mods.

Players	RAM	CPU
1–3	6–8 GB	3 cores at 3.5 GHz+
3–8	8–12 GB	4 cores at 3.8 GHz+
8–15	12–20 GB	4–6 cores at 4.0 GHz+
15+	20 GB+	6+ cores at 4.2 GHz+

Rule of thumb for mods: Plan about 2 GB more RAM per 50 mods. Large modpacks with 300+ mods often need 10–12 GB RAM even for 3–4 players.

RAM recommendation by server software

Server Software	RAM Savings	Note
Vanilla (Mojang)	0%	Base value, no leeway
Spigot	~10%	Slight optimization, plugins possible
Paper	~20–30%	Recommended for most servers
Purpur / Pufferfish	~30–40%	Maximum performance, incompatible with some plugins
Forge / Fabric (Mods)	-50% to -100%	Mods eat extra RAM – use values from second table

Which server software for which setup?

Vanilla: Only if you need 100% original mechanics and player count is small
Paper: Best choice for most survival and community servers with plugins
Purpur: Even more performance if you don't use exotic plugins
Forge: For classic mods that add new blocks, dimensions and mechanics
Fabric: Lighter mods, often for performance mods like Lithium and Sodium

Storage

Vanilla: 5–10 GB per world (depending on exploration)
With mods: 10–20 GB plus space for backups
In general: Always SSD or NVMe – HDD makes the server unplayable

Network

Plan about 1 Mbps upload per player
From 20 players, at least 25 Mbps upload recommended

Summary: How to choose the right hardware

Estimate player count: How many people do you expect simultaneously?
Mods yes/no: With mods, start two tiers higher
Choose server software: Paper instead of Vanilla saves up to 30% resources
CPU: High single-core performance > many cores
RAM: Better a bit more than too little, but don't overdo it (too much RAM can cause garbage collection lags)

Detailed guides on performance optimization and server configuration can be found in the articles in the left navigation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much RAM for 10 vanilla players?

2–4 GB with Paper is enough for up to 10 players with normal activity. Vanilla alone: rather 4 GB.

How much RAM for modpack with 5 players?

8–12 GB depending on mod count. Rule of thumb: ~2 GB per 50 additional mods.

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