HaruHostSize the machine
- Add up the maps you will run on the machine, and leave room for growth and the system.
- One HaruHost plan covers servers on several machines, so maps can be spread out.
- On a VPS, see choosing a VPS.
Settings that help
- Enable Multithreaded Performance and Worker Threads on the Launch Arguments card.
- A nightly scheduled restart.
- Fewer wild creatures with Dino Count Multiplier, and decay so abandoned bases are cleared.
Saves
Autosave Interval on the Server Operations card sets how often ARK saves the world, which causes a short pause on big worlds. On Linux it is AutoSavePeriodMinutes in the GameUserSettings.ini card.
Questions
How much RAM does an ARK: Survival Ascended server need?
The ARK wiki measures 7 to 12 GiB per map on a new world with default settings and no players. Plan for more as the world grows.
Can I run ARK on a 16 GB PC and play on it too?
The server alone can use most of that, so it is tight. A spare PC or a VPS is more comfortable.