Valheim Server Requirements: How Much RAM and CPU Do You Need?
A Valheim dedicated server is light compared with many games. The community wiki's figures, which it calls unofficial but the general consensus, are 4 CPU cores at 2.8 GHz and 2 GB of RAM as a minimum, and 6 cores at 3.4 GHz or better with 4 GB or more as a recommendation. A fresh world typically uses about 1.8 to 2.4 GB of RAM.
This guide explains what drives memory and CPU use, how to size a server for your group, and what changes with mods and crossplay. Iron Gate does not publish official server requirements, so the numbers here come from the community Valheim wiki and host documentation checked on 2026-11-15, and your own server's usage is the best guide. Watch the panel's resource graphs after a few play sessions.
- Community figures: minimum 4 cores at 2.8 GHz and 2 GB RAM; recommended 6 cores at 3.4 GHz or better and 4 GB or more.
- A fresh world uses roughly 1.8 to 2.4 GB. Each area that players have loaded adds about 100 to 300 MB.
- After the world is generated the server is not very CPU-heavy, but players entering new ground make it generate that area on the fly.
- Modded servers need better hardware, and host documentation reports crossplay adds about 1 to 2 GB.
- Group size matters less than how spread out players are. Several areas loaded at once cost more than a crowd in one place.
On this page
The numbers
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU cores | 4 | 6 |
| CPU speed | 2.8 GHz | 3.4 GHz or more |
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB or more |
| Storage | 2 GB | 4 GB or more |
These are the community wiki's consensus figures and not an official specification. Treat them as a starting point. A world's save grows as players explore and build, so storage needs grow slowly over time.
What uses memory
- The base world. A fresh world typically uses about 1.8 to 2.4 GB.
- Loaded areas. Each area where players are active takes around 100 to 300 MB, and busy or heavily built areas can need more.
- Spread-out players. The more different areas are loaded at once, the more memory is used.
- Mods. The wiki notes modded servers need better hardware. See the BepInEx mods guide.
- Crossplay. One host reports about 1 to 2 GB extra. That figure is not from Iron Gate, so check your own graphs. See the crossplay guide.
What uses CPU
According to the wiki, the server is not CPU-heavy once world generation is done. The heavy moments are when someone enters a new area and the server generates it on the fly, so a group exploring fast is harder on the CPU than a group building at home. Performance also depends on your operating system, the number of players and whether you use mods.
Valheim also sends a lot of small UDP packets, and the wiki notes a dedicated server has several times the packet load of a single client. Network quality and a capable host matter as much as raw core count.
Picking a size
| Your server | Start with |
|---|---|
| A few friends, no mods | The community minimum, then watch memory for a week. |
| A regular group of 5 to 10, exploring | The recommended figures, with a few GB of headroom. |
| Modded server | Move up a tier and check the mod authors' notes. |
| Crossplay with console players | Add 1 to 2 GB over the same server without crossplay, then measure. |
| Large community | Start high, track memory and lag for a few weeks and trim if it stays low. |
Signs you need more
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Memory near the limit and the server restarts or freezes | Too little RAM for your loaded areas or mods. |
| Lag whenever a group travels | CPU load from generating new areas. See the lag and rubber-banding guide. |
| Slow saves every so often | World size and storage speed. See the lag guide too. |
| Players cannot connect | Not a resource problem. See server not showing and can't join. |
For launch options and settings, see the Valheim dedicated server setup guide. Looking for a host? See Valheim server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does a Valheim server need?
The community wiki's consensus is 2 GB as a minimum and 4 GB or more recommended. A fresh world uses about 1.8 to 2.4 GB, and each active area adds roughly 100 to 300 MB.
How many CPU cores does a Valheim server need?
The community figures are 4 cores at 2.8 GHz as a minimum and 6 cores at 3.4 GHz or better as a recommendation. The server is not CPU-heavy once the world is generated.
Does a Valheim server need more RAM with mods?
Yes, the wiki notes modded servers require better hardware. Check the mods' own notes and watch memory use after you install them.
Does crossplay use more memory on a Valheim server?
One host reports about 1 to 2 GB extra and a few milliseconds of added latency. These figures are not official, so measure your own server.
Are these official Valheim server requirements?
No. Iron Gate does not publish official requirements. The figures come from the community Valheim wiki, which describes them as unofficial but the general consensus.