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Keen Software House’s dedicated-server baseline is the right starting point: check the server machine against its CPU, memory and bandwidth figures before choosing self-hosting or a rental plan. A dedicated server runs as a separate instance, so the world can remain available after the person who started it leaves. A player-hosted world is different and depends on that player staying in the session.
The published figures are vendor baselines, not guarantees for a particular number of players, mods or simulation load. This guide explains what each requirement means, how to set up a Windows server, and when renting is more practical than running a PC at home.
Keen Software House’s published dedicated-server requirements
The table below applies to the dedicated server, not to the Space Engineers game client running on a player’s computer. Keen lists a minimum tier and a recommended tier, but does not map either tier to a player count, world size, mod count or guaranteed simulation performance.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Resource | Minimum | Recommended | What the figure tells you |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 3.2 GHz, 3 logical cores | 4.5 GHz, 3 logical cores | Clock speed and logical-core count; no specific processor model is required by the page. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 10 GB | Memory allocated to the dedicated-server workload, within the limits of the operating system and other software. |
| Bandwidth | 5 Mbps | Not stated | A minimum network figure is published; no recommended bandwidth target is given. |
| Graphics card | Not listed as a requirement | Not listed as a requirement | A dedicated server runs without rendering the game world, so a gaming GPU is not the deciding component. |
| Storage | Not stated | Not stated | Keen’s cited requirements do not provide a capacity or drive-speed number. |
Keen also identifies Windows and the required runtime packages as setup prerequisites. For a public server, it recommends a static IP address. Installation is available through Steam’s Tools library or SteamCMD; the dedicated-server application ID for SteamCMD is 298740.
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These values were published by Keen Software House on its official dedicated-server documentation page (accessed in 2026). They should be treated as a compatibility baseline rather than a sizing calculator.
How much RAM does a Space Engineers server need?
Start with the official memory tiers: the minimum is intended to establish a floor for running the server, while the recommendation gives more headroom for the operating system, world state and background services. A machine that only barely meets the floor can still behave poorly if Windows, backups, monitoring tools or other applications consume the remaining memory.
What the numbers do not tell you
- They do not state how many concurrent players a server can support.
- They do not specify a safe mod count or identify which mods are unusually memory-intensive.
- They do not promise a particular simulation speed, loading time or save frequency.
- They do not require a particular DDR generation, number of memory sticks or motherboard.
For a self-hosted desktop, compare the amount that the server needs with the computer’s total installed RAM, not just the amount shown as free at one moment. Windows and any other services need memory too. If you are upgrading, a 16 GB desktop RAM kit can be a sensible shopping starting point because it leaves more room than the server recommendation, but it is an optional hardware choice, not Keen’s stated requirement. Verify the motherboard’s supported memory type, capacity, speed and module layout before buying.
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If the server is short on CPU time, increasing memory will not create additional processing capacity. Conversely, a fast processor cannot compensate for paging caused by insufficient RAM. Use the published CPU and memory figures as separate checks, then observe the actual machine while the world is running. Because no official player-count or mod-load formula is provided, avoid promises such as “one gigabyte per player.”
CPU, bandwidth and the missing sizing formula
CPU: clock speed and logical cores
Keen specifies a clock speed and three logical cores at both tiers, with a higher clock target in the recommendation. The page does not name an Intel, AMD or other processor model, so shopping by model number alone is unnecessary. Look for a modern Windows-compatible CPU that can sustain the stated clock level and provide the required logical cores while the operating system and other tasks are active.
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A processor’s advertised boost frequency is not the same as a guaranteed all-core operating speed. Check the manufacturer’s sustained specifications and your system’s cooling, especially if the PC will run continuously. Do not convert the published figures into a guaranteed player capacity: the official documentation does not establish one.
Bandwidth: a floor, not a complete network plan
The minimum network figure is 5 Mbps. That is a throughput requirement, not a promise of low latency or stable play. Upload capacity matters when other players connect to a server in your home, and the connection must remain available while the world is online. Wi-Fi interference, data caps, router limits and other household traffic can matter even when a speed test reports enough headline bandwidth.
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Static IP for public access
Keen recommends a static IP when the server is public. A stable address makes it possible for players to reconnect to the same endpoint after a restart. Your internet provider, router and firewall still need to permit the traffic; a static address by itself does not configure port forwarding or prove that the server is reachable from outside your network.
Dedicated server versus hosting from the game client
A dedicated server is a separate process or machine that runs the world without rendering the game for a local player. The community-maintained Space Engineers Wiki.gg guide explains that this headless operation is why a graphics card is not normally needed for the server workload.
Player-hosted session
In a player-hosted world, the host player’s game machine simulates the session. According to the Wiki.gg guide, other players cannot continue in that world after the host exits. This can be perfectly adequate for a small group that plays together at the same time, but it ties availability to one person’s game session and connection.
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Dedicated availability
A dedicated instance runs separately from any one player’s client. Players can leave and return while the server remains online, provided the machine and network connection stay available. The arrangement adds administration work: installation, updates, backups, firewall rules, access control and troubleshooting become someone’s responsibility.
The Wiki.gg guide is community-maintained, so treat implementation details there as practical context and confirm current behavior against Keen’s documentation, particularly for cross-platform play and mod support.
Self-hosting on a Windows PC
Self-hosting gives you control over the hardware, files and schedule. It also means a personal computer must remain powered and maintained whenever the group expects the world to be reachable.
Check these prerequisites first
- Windows, plus the runtime packages required by Keen’s server instructions.
- A CPU that meets the published clock-speed and logical-core baseline.
- Enough installed RAM for the server and Windows; use the recommended memory tier as the safer target.
- At least the published network throughput, with reliable upload and reasonable latency.
- A static IP if people outside your home network will connect.
- Router and firewall access to configure the server’s network traffic.
- Storage for the server files, saves, logs and backups. Keen’s cited page does not state a storage capacity, so leave practical headroom rather than treating storage as unlimited.
Install through Steam’s Tools library
- Sign in to Steam on the Windows machine that will run the server.
- Open the Library and enable the Tools category if it is hidden.
- Locate the Space Engineers dedicated-server tool and install it.
- Open the installed server configuration and set the world, visibility, administrative access and other options required by your group.
- Start the server, then test a local connection before exposing it publicly.
- If the server will be reachable from the internet, configure the router and Windows firewall, then test from a connection outside your home network.
Install with SteamCMD
- Install SteamCMD on the Windows host and open its command prompt.
- Sign in as permitted by SteamCMD’s current requirements.
- Use the Space Engineers dedicated-server application ID
298740to download or update the server files. - Apply the server configuration and launch the dedicated executable according to Keen’s current instructions.
- Keep the installation directory, configuration files and save location in a backup routine.
The exact configuration fields can change with server updates. Follow the current labels in Keen’s documentation rather than copying settings from an older tutorial.
When renting a managed server makes more sense
Rental hosting removes the need to leave a personal PC running and shifts much of the operating-system and network administration to a provider. You still choose the world and game settings, but you should read what the plan actually includes: CPU allocation, RAM, storage, backups, control-panel access, update handling, location and cancellation terms.
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Keen names GTX Gaming as the official host for the PC version and Nitrado as the official host for the Xbox version. These are platform-specific references; do not assume that a PC plan can host an Xbox configuration or that one setup supports both platforms. The cited official page does not publish prices, plan sizes, uptime guarantees or a like-for-like comparison, so check the provider’s current terms before purchasing.
If you want another option, Godlike.Host offers Space Engineers server hosting with its own Pterodactyl-based game panel, up to three free backups a day with restore, free DDoS protection and 24/7 support by live chat or ticket. See the current plans, and confirm that the plan matches your platform and mod needs before moving a world.
Questions to ask a provider
- Is the plan for the platform your players use: PC or Xbox?
- How much RAM and CPU capacity is assigned, and are those resources shared or dedicated?
- What storage, backup and restore options are included?
- Can you install the mods and configuration your group needs?
- Where is the server region, and can you change it later?
- What happens during game updates, crashes and billing interruptions?
A rental plan can be easier operationally, but “managed” does not mean every game setting or mod is supported. Confirm compatibility before moving an established world.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cross-platform and mod considerations
Cross-platform configurations have limitations. The Wiki.gg guide specifically notes restrictions that include no Steam Workshop mods in cross-platform setups. Because support can change, verify the current rules for the exact combination of PC, Xbox, dedicated hosting and mods you intend to use before building the world around them.
Do not use the RAM or CPU table as a mod-sizing calculator. A lightly modified world and a heavily scripted world can place different demands on the same hardware, and no measured workload table is provided by the cited sources.
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Choosing between self-hosting and renting
| Decision factor | Self-hosted Windows PC | Managed rental |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Direct control of files, hardware, updates and network settings. | Control through the provider’s panel and supported options. |
| Setup effort | You install the server, configure Windows and the router, and maintain it. | The provider supplies the server environment; you still configure the game. |
| Availability | Depends on your PC, power and internet connection staying online. | Designed to run independently of your personal gaming PC, subject to the provider’s service. |
| Platform | Choose a setup compatible with the platform and version your group uses. | Use a provider plan that explicitly supports PC or Xbox as required. |
| Capacity | Compare your CPU, RAM and network with Keen’s baseline; actual capacity is workload-dependent. | Compare the plan’s assigned CPU, RAM and network details with the same baseline. |
| Cost and guarantees | Uses hardware, electricity and your connection; no price or uptime figure is established here. | Prices, included services and uptime vary; review current provider terms. |
Choose self-hosting when
- You already have a suitable Windows PC and reliable internet connection.
- You want direct access to files, logs, backups and network rules.
- You are comfortable maintaining updates and leaving the machine online.
Choose renting when
- You do not want to run a personal computer continuously.
- Your home connection, router or power reliability is a concern.
- You prefer a provider’s control panel and support to administering Windows yourself.
For a small private game, player-hosting remains a separate low-administration option if everyone accepts that the world depends on the host player staying in the session.
Troubleshooting a server that will not work
The server will not start
- Confirm that Windows and the runtime packages required by Keen are installed.
- Check that the dedicated-server files are complete and updated through Steam Tools or SteamCMD.
- Compare the machine with the CPU and RAM baseline, and close unrelated applications while testing.
- Review the server logs for a configuration or save-file error before changing hardware.
Players on the internet cannot connect
- Verify that the server is running and reachable locally first.
- Check the Windows firewall and router forwarding rules for the ports and protocol used by the current server configuration.
- Confirm that the public address has not changed; a static IP is recommended for public servers.
- Test from a genuinely external connection rather than from another device on the same home network.
Performance is poor despite meeting the table
Meeting the vendor baseline does not establish a guaranteed simulation rate. Watch CPU, memory, disk activity and network usage while reproducing the problem. Remove or update problematic mods, reduce unrelated workloads and test the same world with a controlled configuration. If the issue appears only with a particular world or mod set, report that context rather than assuming the baseline is wrong.
Bottom line
Use Keen Software House’s figures as a checklist: the dedicated server has a 6 GB RAM minimum and 10 GB recommendation, a CPU baseline of 3.2 GHz with three logical cores rising to 4.5 GHz with three logical cores, and a 5 Mbps minimum bandwidth figure. A graphics card is not the deciding requirement for a headless server, and storage capacity is not specified on the cited page.
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Self-host on Windows when you want control and can maintain an always-on machine. Rent a platform-appropriate service when you want to avoid operating that machine yourself; Keen names GTX Gaming for PC and Nitrado for Xbox. In either case, treat real capacity as workload-dependent, verify current platform and mod compatibility, and do not infer player limits from the minimum specifications alone.
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