How to Build a Gaming Server at Home

A game server, commonly called a host, is a server that serves as the primary source of information for events in a multiplayer video game. In order to enable its linked clients to keep their own accurate representation of the game world for players to see, the server sends adequate information about its internal status. Each player’s input is also received and processed by them.

What Do You Need to Know when Building a Gaming Server at Home

Section	Details
Why Host Your Own Dedicated Gaming Server?	Access to a private server that does not share the same resources with other websites or applications Control over game configuration, player access, and permissions Enhanced security with your own anti-cheat measures Freedom to schedule maintenance during off-peak hours
What Hardware Do You Need to Make a Gaming Server?	Operating system: 64-bit Windows or Linux based on game compatibility CPU: Quad-core processor with a minimum of 2.5GHz clock speed RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB and more optimal for larger player counts Storage: SSD with 500GB minimum capacity, 1TB recommended for up to 32 players Motherboard: Server-grade, recommended for 24/7 operation Computer case: Built-in cooling fans, cable management options
How to Setup a Game Server with Steam	Ensure the game is featured on Steam’s list of dedicated servers Know the Steam App ID number of the game Access SteamCMD or the Steam Client to install required software Follow the setup instructions specific for your game
Using SteamCMD	SteamCMD is a command-line program for installing and setting up game servers Use SteamCMD-GUI for a more user-friendly interface Download SteamCMD separately for installation
Popular Steam Games for Dedicated Servers	Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (App ID: 740) ARK: Survival Evolved (App ID: 376030) Team Fortress 2 (App ID: 232250) Terraria (App ID: 105600) Rust (App ID: 244390)
How to Set Up a Game Server for Non-Steam Games	Download software based on the game’s requirements (e.g., Minecraft server software) Organize files in a dedicated server folder Edit Eula.txt to accept the licensing agreement Configure settings in server.properties
Dedicated Game Server Tips	Consider bare metal servers for high performance Remote management for easy server configuration Utilize port forwarding and configure your router for best performance
Practical Considerations for Home Gaming Servers	Monitor and manage power consumption with energy-efficient components Reduce noise levels with quiet components and clever placement Ensure space requirements are met by choosing compact components
Scalability and Future-Proofing Your Gaming Server	Choose a motherboard with extra RAM slots and PCIe lanes Select a PSU with additional wattage for future expansions Implement a hypervisor to run multiple game servers on one machine Plan for regular hardware refreshes to keep the server current
Managed Dedicated Server Hosting	Access hassle-free, high-performance gaming servers without technical overhead Enjoy 100% power & network uptime guarantees Utilize managed services for both Steam and non-Steam games

How Much RAM Do I Need for A Gaming Server?

Minecraft, ARK, Rust, Palworld, and more game servers
Every game has various RAM requirements, just like an operating system, therefore make sure to check your particular game first. However, generally speaking:

Small server: 8–16GB, vanilla settings, 5–20 players
16–32GB for a medium server with 20–50 players and certain mods
Large, massively modified server with over 50 players: 64GB+
It goes without saying that more people, mods, and plugins will need more RAM, as will higher tick rates.

Conclusion

In this piece, you learned what a game server is, why you might want to host your own dedicated gaming server, what hardware and software are required, how to set up Steam and non-Steam game servers, tips for optimizing performance, and how much RAM is needed for different server sizes. For more informative guides, stay connected to Buildersviller.