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Short answer: Starbound does not have a published, current RAM-per-player or CPU-per-player specification for dedicated servers. Chucklefish lists 2 GB of RAM for the Windows, Mac and Linux game client; that figure is not a dedicated-server minimum. For a server, choose between a player-hosted session and a continuously running dedicated process, then measure the actual CPU, memory and network load with your player count and mod set.
If you are asking, “What is the system requirement to run a server?” or “how much bandwidth, ram, processor power for a certain number of players?”, the accurate answer is that the available official material does not provide a hardware table. The practical way to size a server is to test the exact world, mods and concurrent users you expect rather than turn old forum anecdotes into guarantees.
What the published requirements actually cover
Chucklefish’s official system-requirements page describes the desktop game client. It lists 2 GB of RAM for Windows, Mac and Linux. The same page gives platform-specific operating-system, processor, graphics and storage information for launching the game, but it does not publish dedicated-server RAM, CPU or bandwidth targets.
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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| Item | What is documented | How to interpret it for a server |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | 2 GB RAM for the game client on Windows, Mac and Linux | Client requirement only; not a server minimum or a per-player allowance |
| CPU, graphics and storage | Platform-specific client requirements are listed | They describe running the game, not the workload of a headless server process |
| Dedicated-server RAM and CPU | No authoritative player-count table is provided | Do not buy hardware from an invented “GB per player” or “cores per player” rule |
| Network capacity | No official bandwidth figure is stated | Measure upload and download use under your own world, mods and player activity |
| Session limit | maxPlayers defaults to 8 in the Starbounder multiplayer guide |
A configuration default, not a claim that any hardware will run eight players smoothly |
This distinction matters because a machine that meets the client requirement may still be unsuitable as a persistent server. A server must keep the world process responsive while handling simulation, saves, connections and any additional work introduced by mods. The client’s 2 GB number cannot answer those questions.
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How much RAM and CPU does a Starbound server need?
No cited source establishes a current amount of RAM or processor capacity for a particular number of Starbound players. That absence is more useful than a precise-looking table based on unverified assumptions: player behavior, world activity, mods, save operations, operating-system overhead and server version can all change the load.
What the historical reports do—and do not—show
A Chucklefish Community Forums discussion opened on January 21, 2014 includes one user’s report of allocating 2 GB to a 12-player server and another report that CPU became a bottleneck at about 75 players. These accounts are not controlled tests, use old software, and conflict in context. They demonstrate that individual experiences varied; they do not establish a recommendation for current servers, nor do they prove that 2 GB is enough for 12 players or that a specific processor is required for 75.
A defensible sizing method
Treat sizing as a measurement exercise rather than a published specification. Use the same operating system, server build, world, mods and connection pattern you will use in normal play.
- Record an idle baseline. Start the dedicated process with no connected players and note memory consumption, CPU utilization and network traffic after startup settles.
- Add the expected players gradually. Test the largest normal group, not just a single connection. Include activities that are common in your world, such as exploration, combat, construction and travel.
- Use the real mod list. Test with every server-side and client-required mod enabled. A result from an unmodded world does not establish capacity for a heavily modified one.
- Observe peaks, not only averages. Watch for spikes during world saves, busy scenes, player joins and simultaneous movement. Record whether tick response, chat or interaction becomes delayed.
- Leave headroom. Keep reserve capacity for the operating system, updates, backups and short-lived peaks. The amount of reserve should come from your measurements and risk tolerance, not an invented Starbound formula.
- Repeat after changes. Re-test when you change the server version, world, mods, operating system or player limit.
On Linux, tools such as top or htop can show process CPU and memory use; on Windows, Task Manager provides equivalent observations. A monitoring graph is preferable to a single reading because it reveals sustained pressure and recurring peaks.
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Signs that memory is the constraint
- The server’s resident memory grows during a normal session and does not return to a stable level.
- The operating system begins swapping or paging, followed by long pauses or delayed saves.
- The server and other services compete for memory even though processor utilization is moderate.
Reduce unnecessary services, check the mod list and verify that the machine has enough measured headroom before increasing the player limit. Do not infer a universal RAM number from one machine’s allocation.
Signs that CPU is the constraint
- One or more processor cores remain saturated while players experience delayed actions.
- Latency appears during simulation-heavy activity even though memory and network use are not close to their limits.
- Adding players increases tick or interaction delay disproportionately.
Test whether a smaller mod set or lower activity level changes the result. If the same workload remains CPU-bound, a faster processor or a smaller concurrent group is the relevant remedy; adding RAM alone will not fix a processor bottleneck.
Bandwidth, ports and private networks
No cited official source gives a bandwidth-per-player number for Starbound. Any exact Mbps figure presented as a universal requirement would be an estimate, not an established specification. Measure the server’s upload and download traffic while the expected number of players performs normal and worst-case activities, then compare the peaks with the connection’s sustained upstream capacity. Leave room for other household or office traffic, because a saturated upload can make a server feel laggy even when CPU and RAM are comfortable.
Port information in the available guides
The Starbounder Linux server guide says a dedicated server uses port 21025 over TCP and UDP by default. Its multiplayer guide’s port-forwarding section names TCP port 21025 and explains that a computer behind a private IP requires administrative access to the router and firewall. Because the guides describe the protocol differently, do not assume that one rule is universal: inspect the configuration and instructions for the server version you are actually running, then allow only the protocol(s) it requires.
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| Network task | What to check |
|---|---|
| Server bind and listening port | Confirm the port in the current server configuration; 21025 is the documented default |
| Host firewall | Create an inbound rule matching the configured port and protocol |
| Router forwarding | Forward the external port to the server machine’s private IP; reserve that private address so it does not change |
| Internet address | Give friends the reachable public address or use the documented Steam join/invite path |
| Private-IP administration | Ensure you can change router and firewall settings; without that access, home hosting may not be possible |
Network setup and verification
- Find the port and protocol currently configured by the server. Do not rely solely on an old guide’s default.
- Allow that traffic in the host operating system’s firewall.
- Forward the same external port from the router to the server computer’s fixed private IP.
- Start the server and verify that it is listening. Test from a device on the same network first, then from an external connection such as a friend’s network or a suitable port-checking method.
- If external users cannot connect, check the public address, double-NAT or carrier-grade NAT, firewall logs and whether the router forwarded to the correct machine.
Home hosting versus a dedicated host
Starbound supports both a player-hosted session and a dedicated server process. In a player-hosted game, the host launches the game and friends join through the available multiplayer or Steam invitation flow. A dedicated process runs separately, so it can remain available while the host’s game is closed, provided the server software itself continues running.
| Decision factor | Player-hosted session | Self-managed dedicated machine | Managed hosting service |
|---|---|---|---|
| World available when the host is away | No; the host’s game session must be active | Yes, while the server process and machine stay online | Usually the purpose of the service; confirm its actual uptime and controls |
| Router and firewall work | May still be required for friends outside the local network | Usually requires port forwarding and firewall administration | Often avoids home port forwarding, but depends on the provider’s network design |
| Maintenance | Minimal server administration | You handle SteamCMD installation, updates, configuration, backups and security | The provider may handle machine operations; you still manage the game configuration and updates allowed by the service |
| Control over mods and files | Bound to the host’s session and compatible clients | Full control of the server files and configuration | Control varies by plan and control panel |
| Cost | No separate server bill, but the host’s computer and internet connection must remain available | Electricity, hardware, storage and connectivity are your responsibility | A recurring service charge; no specific provider price or performance is established here |
| Best fit | Occasional sessions with a small group | Groups needing persistence and willing to administer a machine | Groups wanting persistence without home networking and hardware management |
A managed Starbound-compatible host is a category option for readers who do not want to maintain a machine or configure a home router. Compatibility, limits, pricing and mod support differ, so verify those details directly before committing. No particular provider is established as faster, cheaper or more capable by the available evidence.
If you decide a managed host suits your group, Godlike.Host offers Starbound servers with a game panel, up to three free backups a day with restore, and upgrades or downgrades from the panel with prorated billing, which is handy when your own load tests show you need more or less capacity. See the current plans for details.
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Setting up a dedicated Linux server safely
The Starbounder Linux guide describes a general workflow based on SteamCMD, a 64-bit operating system, the server executable and starbound_server.config. Its examples use Ubuntu Server 16.04 and Debian 9 and show an example server version of 1.3.3. Those are guide-era assumptions, not a guarantee that every package name or command remains valid on a current distribution.
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- Choose a supported 64-bit operating system. The guide states that a dedicated server requires 64-bit. Check the current SteamCMD and distribution documentation before installing packages.
- Install SteamCMD and obtain the server files. Follow the current vendor and distribution instructions for authentication, installation paths and updates. Treat commands written for Ubuntu 16.04 or Debian 9 as historical examples that require compatibility checking.
- Run the server executable once. Confirm that it starts, creates or locates its data files, and reports a listening state before changing network settings.
- Edit
starbound_server.config. Back up the original file, then change only the settings you understand, including the player limit and any port value. Keep a record of changes so an update can be reproduced. - Apply firewall and router rules. Match the configured port and protocol, taking into account the TCP-versus-TCP/UDP difference documented above.
- Test a local connection and an outside connection. Resolve version, mod and authentication problems before inviting the whole group.
- Keep the process independent of the game client. A dedicated process can continue after the host closes the game, but the machine must remain powered, connected and running the server software. Use the operating system’s established service or session-management method if you need automatic startup, and verify it after reboots.
Chucklefish’s official FAQ says, “If you’re not sure how to get started, check out our wiki’s Multiplayer Setup Guide.” Use that guide for the current setup path, then cross-check older Linux examples against the software versions installed on your machine.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Configuring players, mods and access
The maxPlayers setting
The multiplayer guide lists maxPlayers with a default of 8. This value controls the configured session limit; it is not a tested hardware capacity and does not promise smooth performance for eight simultaneous users. Set it no higher than the number your own load test supports, and remember that a mod update or a new world can change the result.
Joining and invitations
The documented multiplayer flow includes joining through Steam and inviting friends to a hosted game. For a dedicated server, give players the connection method appropriate to your configuration and ensure that every client uses a compatible game and mod set. A successful local connection does not prove that an internet connection will work; external routing and firewall rules still have to be tested.
Mod-related capacity changes
Mods can alter simulation work, memory use, save behavior and connection requirements. Record the exact mod versions used in your test, require players to use the matching client-side content where applicable, and repeat the test after updates. If performance degrades only after a mod is enabled, isolate it in a controlled comparison before replacing hardware.
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Troubleshooting common failures
Friends cannot connect from outside the home
- Confirm the server is listening on the configured port.
- Check the host firewall and router forwarding rule, including protocol.
- Verify that the forwarding target’s private IP has not changed.
- Check for double NAT or carrier-grade NAT, which can prevent inbound connections even with a correct local rule.
- Test with the public address from an external network rather than from inside the same LAN.
The server disappears when the host closes the game
That behavior indicates a player-hosted session or a dedicated process that was stopped with the client. Start the dedicated server executable separately and verify that it remains running when the game closes. The machine itself must stay awake and connected.
Players report lag but the server has plenty of RAM
Check per-core CPU use, simulation-heavy scenes, save-time spikes, mod activity and upload saturation. A large amount of unused memory does not resolve a CPU or network bottleneck. Compare a normal session with a controlled test that removes one mod or reduces the concurrent group.
The configured player count is rejected
Inspect starbound_server.config for syntax errors, confirm that the server actually loaded the edited file, and distinguish the configured maxPlayers limit from a hardware limit. Restart the process after configuration changes when the current guide requires it.
An old installation guide fails
The Linux guide’s Ubuntu 16.04, Debian 9 and 1.3.3 examples are historical context. Check current SteamCMD, operating-system and Starbound documentation for changed package names, file locations, permissions or executable behavior instead of repeatedly forcing an obsolete command to work.
Choosing the right hosting approach
Use a player-hosted session when the group plays occasionally, the host is normally present and configuring a persistent service would add more work than value. Use a self-managed dedicated machine when the world must remain available, you can administer a 64-bit system and router, and you want direct control over files and mods. Consider managed hosting when persistence matters but you do not want to maintain hardware or expose a home network; verify compatibility, mod support, backups, player limits and renewal cost before purchase.
For any option, decide the target concurrent players, mod set, acceptable downtime, backup plan and measured network usage first. Then test the actual workload and adjust the player limit or hardware based on observed CPU, memory and latency rather than the client’s 2 GB requirement or a decade-old forum estimate.
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