Key Factors to Consider

Server Type

• Vanilla:

  • Moderate resource usage.
  • Ideal for unmodified Minecraft gameplay with few players.
  • Lacks performance optimizations, but works well for basic setups.

• Optimized Servers:

  • PaperMC and Purpur:
    • Significantly reduce CPU strain and memory usage.
    • Allow more players and plugins to run smoothly on the same amount of RAM.
    • Highly recommended for plugin-heavy or high-player-count setups.

• Modded Servers:

  • Resource-intensive due to mods, custom worlds, and their additional data requirements.
  • Unlike optimized server types (e.g., PaperMC), these lack inherent performance improvements, making them more demanding even without mods installed.

Player Count

• The number of players directly affects RAM usage.
• Higher player counts increase server workload due to player actions, loaded chunks, and entity processing.
• Refer to the recommendations provided with each plan to align with your expected player base.

Modpacks and Plugins

• Modpacks:

  • Popular modpacks from platforms like CurseForge or Feed The Beast require more RAM.
  • Larger modpacks with multiple mods running simultaneously are particularly demanding.

• Plugins:

  • Plugins add functionality but increase memory usage, especially if they manage player data or perform intensive calculations.

• Mods Used:

  • Not all mods are equal in resource demand.
  • Mods like The Twilight Forest (dimension mods) typically use more resources than lighter mods like Thermal Expansion (focused on machines).

World Size and Activity

• • Large Worlds:
    • Bigger maps require more disk space and memory for loading and storing chunks.
  • Builds and Redstone:
    • Complex structures and extensive Redstone contraptions increase memory consumption.
  • Player Exploration:
    • Frequent exploration generates new chunks, which can lead to significant RAM usage over time.