A modded server is nothing like a vanilla one: more blocks, more entities, more work on every tick. That is also why a host chosen on price alone often gives you a server that lags as soon as the third player joins. Here is how to size it properly.
1. Pick a mod loader
| Loader | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Forge / NeoForge | Large modpacks, technical mods | Most widespread, most demanding |
| Fabric | Lightweight modpacks, performance | Fast startup, great with optimisation mods |
| Paper / Purpur (plugins) | Survival, factions, minigames | Not mods: players install nothing |
Mods and plugins do not mix on the same server without a hybrid solution, so decide before ordering what you want your players to run.
2. How much RAM does a modpack need?
It depends heavily on the pack, but these are realistic orders of magnitude:
| Server type | Suggested RAM |
|---|---|
| A few light mods, 5 to 10 players | 4 GB |
| Mid-size modpack (80 to 150 mods), 10 to 20 players | 6 to 8 GB |
| Large modpack (200+ mods), 20+ players | 10 to 16 GB |
Allocating too much RAM does not help: beyond a point, Java's garbage collector runs longer and causes small stutters. Aim close, then adjust by watching real usage.
3. CPU clock speed matters more than core count
A Minecraft server's main loop runs mostly on a single core. A 4 GHz processor will clearly beat a 2.4 GHz one with twice the cores. It is the first thing to check on a spec sheet, well before RAM: see our guide to reading a hosting spec sheet.
4. Java settings that make a difference
Use a recent Java version suited to your Minecraft version, and do not set a minimum heap far below the maximum: align -Xms and -Xmx to avoid resizing mid-game. Well-tested argument sets (often called "Aikar's flags") are widely shared in the community and suit most Paper and modded servers.
5. Backups and updates
- Back up the world folder before every mod update: a removed mod can corrupt a map.
- Test new modpack versions on a copy, not in production.
- Always keep a backup off the server.
6. Why DDoS protection matters
A public server will sooner or later be attacked by an unhappy player. Always-on protection means you do not discover the problem mid-evening: read what DDoS protection does and does not do.
What is included with us
Our Minecraft plans run on 4 GHz processors with NVMe SSD, the Pterodactyl panel, full file access (SFTP), unlimited mods and plugins, DDoS protection included and a 7-day free trial: the best way to test your modpack before committing.