Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Short answer: Steam’s Soulmask requirements describe the player’s game client, not a dedicated server. The store listing specifies 16 GB of RAM minimum and 24 GB recommended for a player PC. A separate, community-maintained server reference estimates that one Soulmask server process needs at least 16 GB of memory and 2–4 CPU cores. That estimate is not a developer guarantee, so a real host needs additional headroom for the operating system, updates, backups, player load and any other services.
You can run a private server on a Windows or Linux machine, or rent a managed instance. The right choice depends on whether you can keep a machine online, control its router and firewall, maintain updates and backups, and pay for hardware or hosting over the period you intend to play.
Client requirements and server requirements are different
The most common mistake in Soulmask hardware discussions is treating the Steam system-requirements panel as a dedicated-server specification. It is a specification for the computer that renders and runs the player client. Steam lists a 64-bit Windows 10 minimum, Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 recommended, DirectX 12, broadband internet and 25 GB of available storage. It also lists the following processor, memory and graphics targets:
| Component | Minimum client requirement | Recommended client requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 | Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 3 3300X | Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 24 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 970 4 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 4 GB | GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon 6700XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 25 GB available; SSD preferred | 25 GB available; SSD highly recommended |
| Network | Broadband internet | Broadband internet |
These figures come from Steam’s Soulmask store listing. They tell you what a player needs to launch and play the game. They do not tell you how much CPU time, memory, disk I/O or network capacity a headless dedicated process will consume.
#1 Best Overall
- Disclaimer: Maximum Speed requires overclocking/PC BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU
- Hand-sorted memory chips ensure high performance with generous overclocking headroom
- VENGEANCE LPX is optimized for wide compatibility with the latest Intel and AMD DDR4 motherboards
- A low-profile height of just 34mm ensures that VENGEANCE LPX even fits in most small-form-factor builds
- A solid aluminum heatspreader efficiently dissipates heat from each module so that they consistently run at high clock speeds
How much RAM does a Soulmask server need?
A community-maintained Soulmask private-server reference says that a single game process requires at least 16 GB of memory. Because that statement is community guidance rather than a developer-published guarantee, treat 16 GB as a floor for the process, not as the total RAM to install in a host.
What the memory number includes—and does not include
The estimate refers to the game process. Your machine also needs memory for Windows or Linux, SteamCMD or another update mechanism, monitoring, backups, remote-administration tools and any other workloads running on the same host. If the machine also runs a player client, voice chat, a web panel or another game server, those workloads compete for the same RAM. A host with exactly 16 GB can therefore run out of usable memory even when the server process itself matches the estimate.
Choosing practical headroom
The available evidence does not provide a tested RAM-per-player table, a maximum-player recommendation or separate figures for mods and world settings. Do not convert the 16 GB estimate into a promise that a particular number of players will fit. Instead, choose a machine with memory beyond the process floor, watch actual usage during your busiest sessions and leave room for operating-system activity and backups. If you are upgrading an existing desktop, verify the motherboard’s supported RAM generation, form factor, maximum capacity and matched-module rules before buying a kit; a generic “32 GB” listing is not universally compatible.
How many CPU cores does the server need?
The same community reference estimates 2–4 CPU cores per game process. It does not identify a required clock speed, a specific Intel or AMD model, a player-count curve or a benchmark methodology. Use the range as initial planning guidance, not as a performance guarantee.
Why core count alone is insufficient
Server simulation, save operations, networking and operating-system tasks can behave differently as the world and player activity change. Two processors with four cores can have very different single-thread performance, cooling limits and sustained frequencies. A heavily populated or busy world may also produce short CPU spikes that are not visible in an average-load figure. For a self-hosted machine, prioritize a modern processor with four or more usable cores, good sustained performance and no competing heavy workloads, while recognizing that this is prudent capacity planning rather than a published Soulmask requirement.
How to diagnose a CPU limit
- Record CPU utilization for the server process and the whole machine during normal play and during events that cause lag.
- Check per-core utilization where your operating system exposes it; a low overall percentage can hide one saturated core.
- Compare server tick or responsiveness problems with network latency and disk activity before replacing hardware.
- Apply the current server update and reproduce the issue before drawing conclusions from one session.
Other dedicated-server resources
The community private-server page discusses additional operating requirements, but each figure is an estimate that should be confirmed against the server release you install.
| Resource | Published guidance | How to use it safely |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows or Linux environments are discussed. | Use an operating system supported by the current server files and your administration tools. |
| Installation method | SteamCMD is described for obtaining server files. | Keep the command-line tool and the server branch updated; record the install directory. |
| Disk space | About 20 GB free space is mentioned for the server. | Reserve additional room for updates, logs, saves and backups; the estimate is not a full backup plan. |
| Bandwidth | About 100 kbps per player of inbound and outbound bandwidth is mentioned. | Treat it as an approximate planning figure, not a guaranteed peak or quality target. Confirm your upload capacity and provider limits. |
Neither the 20 GB nor the 100 kbps figure is a developer-certified capacity target. Actual traffic and storage growth can vary with player activity, update files, logs, saves and deployment choices. A reliable broadband connection and stable upload performance matter more than a headline maximum download speed when you host from a residential connection.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #2
- [UNCOMPROMISED 32GB PERFORMANCE] Supercharge your rig with 32GB (two 16GB modules) of high-speed memory. Designed for power users, this kit effortlessly handles heavy 4K video editing, complex 3D rendering, and lets you play AAA games while streaming without a single stutter.
- [3200MHZ BLAZING FAST SPEED & CL16] Experience ultra-responsive multitasking with speeds up to 3200MHz (PC4-25600) and tight CL16-18-18-42 timings. NOTE: To achieve the advertised 3200MHz speed, you MUST enable the XMP (Intel) or DOCP (AMD) profile in your motherboard's BIOS.
- [AGGRESSIVE ALUMINUM HEATSINK] Keep your system cool under extreme pressure. The premium aluminum heat spreader efficiently dissipates heat from the memory modules, preventing thermal throttling during marathon gaming sessions while adding a sleek, aggressive look to your build.
- [MAXIMUM DUAL-CHANNEL POWER] Installing this matched pair activates dual-channel architecture, doubling your memory bandwidth. This dramatically increases frame rates in CPU-intensive games and cuts down rendering times for creators.
- [BROAD COMPATIBILITY & DIY INSTALL] Engineered to work flawlessly with major Intel and AMD motherboards. Easy push-to-install design for 288-pin desktop slots. (Friendly Reminder: These are Desktop UDIMMs. Not compatible with laptops. Default speed without XMP enabled will be 2133MHz/2400MHz/2666MHz depending on your system).
Can you host Soulmask on your own PC?
Yes, if the machine is compatible, can remain online whenever players need it and is administered like a server rather than a workstation that is frequently suspended or rebooted. Steam explicitly supports private servers with custom rules; its listing also describes PvE and PvP choices and Steam Workshop support. Start by deciding whether the server will share the computer with your player client.
Separate host or shared gaming PC
- Separate host: gives the server consistent CPU, RAM, storage and network access, and lets you restart or update it without interrupting the player using the machine.
- Shared PC: can work for a small private group, but the game client and server compete for memory, CPU, disk and network resources. Closing other applications and leaving substantial RAM headroom becomes more important.
- Remote or colocated machine: avoids home power and router constraints, but you must evaluate the provider’s current Soulmask support, region, limits, backup tools and data-export process.
Self-hosting setup checklist
Use this sequence for a first deployment. Exact commands and file names can change with the current server build, so confirm them in the server’s documentation and generated files.
- Prepare the host. Use a 64-bit Windows or Linux installation, install current operating-system updates, create a dedicated account where practical and ensure the machine has memory beyond the estimated 16 GB process requirement.
- Reserve storage. Provide at least the roughly 20 GB free space mentioned by the community reference, plus separate capacity for world saves, logs, update downloads and multiple backups. An SSD is a sensible choice for faster loading and save operations, although Steam’s 25 GB SSD note is a client recommendation rather than a server specification.
- Install the server files. The community guidance uses SteamCMD. Keep the SteamCMD location, server installation directory and update procedure documented so another administrator can recover the service.
- Configure the world. Set the world, gameplay and access options in the files created by the server. Make one change at a time and keep a copy of known-good configuration and save files.
- Set a restart and backup routine. Stop the process cleanly before copying saves. Retain more than one backup generation and store at least one copy outside the server’s main directory or disk.
- Configure networking. Give the host a stable local address, allow the required traffic through the operating-system firewall and create router forwarding only for ports the current server configuration actually uses.
- Test from outside the LAN. Have a player connect from another network, verify that the server appears and check latency, save persistence and reconnect behavior before inviting the full group.
- Monitor and maintain. Watch RAM, CPU, disk space, upload usage, logs and backup success. Schedule updates and restarts during an agreed maintenance window.
Ports, save files and configuration paths
The community private-server reference reports default UDP ports 8777 and 27015, with values adjustable through command-line parameters. Do not assume those are the only ports in every deployment. A separate Pterodactyl Soulmask game-egg README lists game, query, echo and cluster ports and identifies locations for world saves, server configuration, gameplay settings, logs and backups. Its port tables differ from the simpler two-port description, and its cluster guidance says that port is TCP and should not be exposed publicly.
These differences are a reason to inspect the current server files and documentation rather than copy a universal port list from an old guide. Open only the protocols and ports required by your deployment, restrict administration interfaces, and avoid exposing a cluster or management port to the public internet. Before migrating a world, identify the exact save directory, stop the server cleanly, copy the complete save set and test the copy on a temporary instance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Self-hosting versus rented hosting
Steam’s private-server support means both approaches can deliver a custom-rule server. A community page names managed rental services as an option, but that mention does not verify their current Soulmask plans, prices, regional capacity, support quality or terms. Compare the offer that is available when you are ready to subscribe rather than relying on an old list.
| Decision area | Self-hosting questions | Rental-hosting questions |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | Can you cover hardware, electricity, replacement parts and your internet plan for the whole run? | What is the recurring price, and are RAM, storage, backups, extra ports or high-traffic usage billed separately? |
| Capacity | How much RAM remains after the server and operating system are running? | Is the advertised memory dedicated or shared, and does the plan explicitly support Soulmask? |
| CPU and latency | What sustained CPU performance and upload capacity does your machine have? | Where is the server region, what CPU allocation is provided and can your group reach it with acceptable latency? |
| Control | Can you change firewall, launch parameters, files and operating-system settings? | Can you access configuration files, mods, logs and world saves without a panel restriction? |
| Reliability | Who handles power outages, router failures, updates, restarts and backups? | What automated restart, backup, restore and support response does the provider contractually offer? |
| Portability | You control the disk and can copy the world directly. | Confirm that you can download a complete world and configuration backup and cancel without losing data. |
Self-hosting is attractive when you already own suitable hardware and are comfortable maintaining it. Rental hosting can reduce administration, but it does not remove the need to check memory allocation, backup behavior, update timing, access to files and cancellation terms. If you decide to rent, Godlike.Host offers Soulmask servers with up to three free backups a day with restore, SFTP/FTP file access and a choice of 10 data-center locations; compare the current plans against the RAM and CPU figures above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the available evidence cannot tell you
There is no developer-authored sizing chart here that maps player count, mods, world settings or multiple server instances to a precise RAM or CPU tier. Steam’s client figures cannot fill that gap, and anecdotal forum comments are not a substitute for reproducible benchmarks. A Steam Community discussion titled “Dedicated Server hardware requirement” is useful for seeing the question other administrators ask, but it does not establish an official capacity guarantee.
Rank #3
- Capacity – 32GB RAM KIT (2 x 16GB Modules) Speed up to 2666MHz Non-ECC Unbuffered 288-Pin 1.2V UDIMM.
- Specs – Black PCB Color and Dual Rank (2Rx8).
- Compatibility – Designed for selected DDR4 Desktop PCs and workstations that support 288-Pin UDIMM memory. NOT compatible with Laptop SODIMM slots.
- Installation – Plug-and-Play Upgrade, Quick and Easy to Install, no expertise required (please refer to your system's manual for guidelines).
- Warranty – All Timetec products are high-quality and rigorously tested to meet stringent standards. Backed by Timetec Limited Lifetime Warranty and professional technical support based in the United States.
Plan conservatively, measure your own workload and document the conditions: operating system, server version, player count, mods, world settings, CPU model, RAM usage, network traffic and duration of the observation. That record is more useful for your group than an unqualified claim that a certain machine supports everyone.
Troubleshooting common capacity and connection problems
The server stops or reports out-of-memory errors
Check total system memory, not just the game process. Stop unrelated applications, verify that backups are not creating simultaneous peaks, confirm the host has adequate virtual-memory configuration and examine whether logs or saves are growing unexpectedly. If the process repeatedly approaches the machine limit, add RAM or move the server to a larger host before increasing the player load.
Players see lag while CPU usage looks low
Inspect per-core CPU usage, network latency, upload saturation and disk activity. A single busy core, a congested uplink or a slow disk can affect responsiveness without producing a high whole-machine average. Test with the same world and configuration after updates so you do not confuse a version change with a hardware change.
The server is visible locally but not to outside players
Confirm the host’s local address, operating-system firewall rules, router forwarding, public-address changes and the exact protocol and port selected by the current server configuration. Do not open every port listed by a third-party panel README; reconcile the list with the running server and expose only what players need.
A world disappears after an update or migration
Stop the server, locate the current save path, verify timestamps and copy the complete world and configuration set before changing files. Keep dated backups and test restoration on a separate instance. A successful file copy is not proof that the restored world loads until you actually start it and connect.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBottom line
Use Steam’s 16 GB minimum and 24 GB recommended figures for the player client, not as a server sizing chart. For a dedicated process, the best available planning figure is the community estimate of at least 16 GB memory and 2–4 CPU cores, plus headroom for the operating system, player activity, updates, saves and backups. Self-host only when you can provide an always-on machine, reliable upload capacity, secure firewall and router control, and ongoing maintenance. If you rent, verify the current plan’s RAM, CPU, location, backups, file access and export terms before committing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
