There is no single RAM requirement for an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server. The map, number of connected players, world age, settings and mods all change the workload. Empty new saves use roughly 3–4.5 GiB on several maps and 10–12.5 GiB on Genesis: Part 2, before adding the operating system, players or configuration overhead. Plan for headroom rather than treating Steam’s 8 GB client minimum as a server specification.
What an ARK dedicated server actually needs
ARK: Survival Evolved (ASE) servers are most sensitive to available memory and single-thread CPU performance. A practical baseline is two logical CPU cores per server instance, a 64-bit operating system, about 18 GiB for the installation, and additional disk space for saves, profiles, logs, updates and mods. RAM must be sized for the specific map and the way the world is used.
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The figures commonly quoted for ASE come from the ARK Official Community Wiki. They describe a new world save with default settings and no connected players, so they are planning measurements rather than guaranteed minimums. Memory can fluctuate while creatures spawn and as a world accumulates structures, tames, inventories and other persistent data.
How much RAM does an ARK server need?
Start with the map’s empty-world footprint, then reserve memory for the operating system, the server process, connected players, world growth and modifications. The map range is wide enough that a configuration suitable for one map can be inadequate for another.
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Reported memory by map
| Map | New save, default settings, no players |
|---|---|
| The Island | 3.5–4.5 GiB |
| The Center | 3–4 GiB |
| Scorched Earth | 3–4 GiB |
| Aberration | 3–4 GiB |
| Extinction | 3–4 GiB |
| Valguero | 3–4 GiB |
| Ragnarok | 4–5 GiB |
| Genesis: Part 1 | 5–6 GiB |
| Crystal Isles | 5.5–6.5 GiB |
| Genesis: Part 2 | 10–12.5 GiB |
| Lost Island | 5.5–7 GiB |
| Fjordur | 4–5 GiB |
These are estimates for an empty, freshly created save. They are not promises that a server will remain within the same range after days or weeks of play. Mods, larger structures, extensive creature populations, higher rates and older saves can all increase use. Genesis: Part 2 is the outlier in this list: its reported 10–12.5 GiB starting range means a machine with only 8 GB of total system memory is unsuitable before players and the operating system are considered.
How players change memory use
The same wiki reports an average increase of 50–150 MiB per connected player. This is an average increment, not a fixed allocation or a player-slot guarantee. At that average, ten simultaneous players would represent approximately 500 MiB to 1.5 GiB above the empty-map figure, but the real result depends on the map, save age, settings, mods and what players have built. Use the calculation to understand the direction of the load, not to promise a precise capacity.
Leave enough unused memory that the operating system does not have to reclaim aggressively or swap to disk. A server that starts successfully with almost no free memory can still become unstable when several players load bases, when a backup runs, or when the game performs a spawning and save operation.
Is 8 GB of RAM enough for an ARK server?
Eight gigabytes is not a dependable general-purpose target. Steam’s Windows minimum of 8 GB refers to running the ARK player client, not a dedicated server. It should not be copied into a hosting plan as the server requirement.
On a small, lightly modded server using one of the lower-footprint maps, 8 GB of physical memory may start the process, but it leaves little room for Windows or another operating system, player growth and background services. It is especially unsuitable for Genesis: Part 2, whose reported empty-map use alone reaches 10–12.5 GiB. Treat 8 GB as a restrictive edge case rather than a recommendation.
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For self-hosting, compare the server’s expected footprint with memory available after the host operating system and any other applications are accounted for. A desktop used for playing, voice chat, browsers or recording needs additional headroom beyond the server’s own process.
What CPU do you need to host ARK?
ASE favors fast individual cores more than a large core count. The community guidance recommends two logical cores per server instance. Performance gains diminish as more cores are added, and the workload is described as not scaling beyond four cores.
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- Multiple instances: account for two logical cores per instance as a starting point, while recognizing that total contention, memory bandwidth and background tasks still matter.
- Do not buy cores alone: a high core-count processor with weak per-core performance may be a worse fit than a modern, faster dual- or quad-core allocation.
CPU demand also changes with player activity, creature counts, structure density, automation from mods and server settings. If players report tick delays or rubber-banding while memory remains available, processor performance and contention are more likely suspects than simply adding RAM.
How much storage does an ASE server require?
Plan approximately 18 GiB for one ASE installation. That is the installation footprint, not the total disk budget. Keep additional capacity for:
- world saves and automatic or manual backups;
- player and tribe profiles;
- server and crash logs;
- patches and temporary update files; and
- installed mods and their updates.
Storage space can become a failure point even when RAM and CPU are adequate. A nearly full disk can prevent saves, updates or log writes. Keep the server on storage with enough free space for routine updates and at least one recoverable backup, and monitor free capacity as the world grows.
Operating-system and network requirements
Use a 64-bit operating system
The dedicated-server executable is 64-bit, so the host operating system must also be 64-bit. A 32-bit installation cannot satisfy that requirement regardless of installed memory.
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Allow incoming connections
Players must be able to reach the host. Setup guidance requires the host network and firewall or router configuration to allow incoming traffic and direct it to the machine running the server. That generally means assigning the server a stable address on the local network, creating the appropriate forwarding rule on the router when the server is behind one, and allowing the server application through the host firewall.
If the process is running but friends cannot find or join it, check the network path before changing game settings: confirm the server is listening, verify the forwarding destination, review firewall rules and test from a network outside the host’s local connection. Internet service restrictions, carrier-grade NAT and changing local addresses can prevent inbound connections even when the server itself is configured correctly.
How to size a server for your player group
Player count alone is not a sufficient sizing rule. Use a scenario that includes the map, whether the save is new or mature, mods, rates, structure density and other services sharing the machine.
- Choose the map first. Use the reported empty-map range as the starting point, noting that Genesis: Part 2 begins much higher than most maps.
- Estimate concurrent players. Apply the reported 50–150 MiB average increase per connected player only as a rough planning signal.
- Add non-game overhead. Reserve memory for the operating system, monitoring, backups, voice services and any other applications on the host.
- Add configuration headroom. Mods, older saves, high-rate settings and busy bases can move actual use above the new-save estimate.
- Observe the running server. Check memory, CPU, disk space and connection behavior during peak play rather than relying only on startup usage.
For example, a ten-player group on a low-footprint map and a ten-player group on Genesis: Part 2 are not equivalent workloads. The latter starts from a reported 10–12.5 GiB empty-map range, so it needs a materially larger host even before the same player increment is considered.
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Can you run an ARK dedicated server on the same PC you use to play?
Yes, provided the computer has enough resources for both workloads and the network is configured for inbound connections. Running the client and server together combines the client’s memory and graphics demand with the server’s map, player and world-state demand. Steam’s 8 GB client minimum does not leave a comfortable margin for that combined use.
A shared PC is most realistic for a small group on a modest map with few mods, ample RAM beyond the client requirement, a fast CPU and sufficient disk space. It is a poor fit when the machine is already near its memory limit, when the server uses a high-footprint map, or when other applications compete for resources. Expect the host player’s game performance and the server’s responsiveness to suffer first when the machine runs out of headroom.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Self-hosting versus renting an ARK server
Self-hosting gives you direct control over files, settings, updates, backups and hardware. It can be economical when you already own a suitable always-on machine. You are also responsible for the operating system, firewall, router, maintenance, monitoring, recovery and power or connectivity interruptions.
A rented game server transfers machine administration to a provider. The important question is not the advertised player-slot number but what resources and controls the plan actually includes. Availability, pricing and limits change, so verify them at the time you choose a service.
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| Decision factor | Self-hosted machine | Rented game server |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware control | You choose and upgrade the CPU, RAM and storage. | Limited to the provider’s allocation and upgrade options. |
| Administration | You handle the OS, updates, firewall, backups and troubleshooting. | The provider manages the underlying machine; panel and support scope vary. |
| Configuration access | Direct access to server files and settings. | Depends on the control panel, file access and provider policy. |
| Maps and clusters | Possible if your hardware and network can run the required instances. | Must be confirmed for the specific plan and cluster arrangement. |
| Mods | You install and maintain them yourself. | Confirm supported mods, update process and storage limits. |
| Location and latency | Determined by your connection and physical location. | Choose among available data-center locations; verify the actual region. |
| Backups and restore | Your responsibility unless you build an automated system. | Check backup frequency, retention and whether restores are self-service. |
| World portability | Full control of save files. | Confirm that saves can be downloaded and moved if you leave. |
| Cost model | Up-front hardware and ongoing electricity and connectivity costs. | Recurring fee tied to allocated resources and features. |
Choose self-hosting when you value control and already have reliable hardware and networking skills. Renting is often simpler when you want an always-on world without maintaining a machine, but compare the provider’s actual RAM allocation, CPU policy, mod support, map or cluster support, location, backups and migration terms rather than assuming all “ARK hosting” plans are equivalent. If you decide to rent, Godlike.Host’s ARK: Survival Evolved servers come with a game panel, a built-in mod installer and updater, up to three free backups a day with restore, free DDoS protection and ten data-center locations to choose from; check the current plans against the RAM figures above.
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Common sizing mistakes and fixes
Using the 8 GB client minimum as the server target
Why it fails: the Steam figure describes the player client and ignores server overhead. Fix: begin with the selected map’s server footprint, then add the operating system, players and headroom.
Planning from an empty new save forever
Why it fails: the published map values are new-save estimates with no players. Fix: monitor a mature save during peak activity and reserve space for growth, logs and backups.
Buying CPU cores without considering per-core speed
Why it fails: the workload favors single-thread performance and gains diminish beyond four cores. Fix: prioritize fast cores and allocate about two logical cores per instance before adding capacity for additional instances.
Ignoring network reachability
Why it fails: a running process is useless to remote players if firewall or router rules block inbound traffic. Fix: verify the host address, forwarding destination, firewall permissions and internet-service limitations.
Filling the disk with saves, logs or mods
Why it fails: the approximately 18 GiB installation figure excludes operational data. Fix: reserve update and backup space and monitor free capacity continuously.
Practical pre-launch checklist
- Confirm the chosen map and its reported empty-save memory range.
- Count all connected server instances that will share the machine.
- Provide at least two logical CPU cores per instance and favor strong single-thread performance.
- Measure RAM available after the operating system and other services start.
- Use a 64-bit operating system.
- Reserve more than 18 GiB for saves, profiles, logs, updates, mods and backups.
- Configure firewall and router rules so players can reach the host.
- Test with the intended mods and settings before inviting the full group.
- Watch memory, CPU, disk space and connection behavior during the busiest sessions.
- Document backups and confirm that a saved world can be restored or moved.
The bottom line on ASE server requirements
Size an ARK: Survival Evolved server from the map and workload, not from the game client’s 8 GB minimum. Empty-map estimates run from about 3 GiB on several maps to 10–12.5 GiB on Genesis: Part 2, with an average 50–150 MiB added per connected player. Add operating-system and configuration headroom, use a fast CPU with roughly two logical cores per instance, reserve about 18 GiB plus operational storage, and ensure inbound network access. Self-host when you can provide that capacity and manage it; rent when you prefer to outsource hardware and administration, after verifying the provider’s real resource and backup terms.
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