How Many Cores Does an ARK Server Need? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of how many cores an ARK: Survival Evolved server needs is a common one among aspiring server hosts. The short answer is: a minimum of 2 CPU cores are required, but optimal performance involves a bit more nuance. While the game itself is not inherently optimized for multi-core processing beyond a certain point, the server’s overall performance depends on a variety of factors, including clock speed, number of players, mods, and other server applications running alongside it. Let’s dive into the specifics of CPU core requirements for ARK servers and other factors to consider to ensure a smooth gaming experience.
Understanding the Core Requirements for ARK Dedicated Servers
The Baseline: Two Cores and Clock Speed
The official requirements for an ARK dedicated server state that you need a dual-core processor. However, just having two cores isn’t enough. The clock speed of those cores is crucial. A clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher is generally recommended for a server supporting 10 to 15 players. Lower clock speeds, such as 2.2GHz, can work, but may lead to lag, especially with more players or resource-intensive mods.
Why More Cores Don’t Always Mean Better Performance
It is often misconstrued that more cores automatically translate to better performance. This is not always the case with ARK servers. The game engine primarily relies on single-threaded performance, meaning it utilizes only one core for the main server operations. While the ARK server process can use a second core for some background tasks, adding cores beyond two does not significantly boost the game server’s performance.
The Significance of Clock Speed
Given that ARK primarily uses 1-2 cores, clock speed becomes paramount. A processor with fewer cores but a higher clock speed will likely outperform a multi-core processor with a lower clock speed for this specific application. The higher the clock speed, the quicker each core can execute instructions, leading to smoother gameplay and reduced lag.
The Impact of Player Count and Mods
While the ARK server itself doesn’t massively benefit from extra cores, other factors such as player count and server mods do place additional strain on the CPU. More players mean more calculations for the server to process simultaneously. Similarly, mods can add complex game logic that increases CPU usage. In these scenarios, while additional cores may not be directly used by the game server, having them available can provide more overhead for the operating system and other background processes, indirectly contributing to better overall system performance.
A Note on Hyperthreading
Hyperthreading is a technology that allows a single CPU core to handle two threads concurrently. While this can be beneficial to overall server performance, it’s important to note that it is not the same as having two physical cores. While hyperthreading can provide a slight performance boost, it is not a replacement for a good dual-core processor.
Other Server Hardware Considerations
While CPU cores and clock speed are critical, don’t forget these other crucial hardware considerations for an ARK server:
- RAM: ARK is RAM-intensive. A minimum of 8GB of RAM is highly recommended, especially when running multiple maps or resource-heavy mods. 16GB is a safer bet for larger servers.
- Storage: An SSD is almost essential for a fast-loading server. The game itself can take a large amount of space, often exceeding 60GB, and when you factor in save files, mods, and other server tools, you need adequate storage space.
- Internet Connection: A reliable and fast internet connection with a minimum of 100 MB/s is crucial for all players to have a smooth gaming experience.
Conclusion
While the minimum for an ARK dedicated server is a dual-core processor, the real focus should be on a good clock speed. An ideal server setup for 10-15 players would be a dual-core processor with a clock speed of at least 3.0 GHz, alongside 8GB or more of RAM and an SSD for storage. Additional cores are generally not utilized by the game process itself, but can provide some benefits to overall system performance by handling other processes. Focus on single-core performance and fast RAM to achieve the best results for hosting an ARK server.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ARK Server Core Requirements
1. How many cores are needed for a large ARK server with 30+ players?
While the game server itself might not utilize cores beyond two, having 4 cores or more would help handle the load from multiple players, background processes, and mods. A faster clock speed remains crucial in this scenario.
2. Does a server with 16 cores perform significantly better than a server with 4 cores for ARK?
Not necessarily for ARK server performance directly. The game’s engine relies heavily on single-core performance and doesn’t distribute its workload efficiently across more than two cores. However, a 16-core server might offer a better experience by handling other server functions more efficiently, but the major impact will come from core clock speed and RAM, not core count.
3. Is it better to prioritize cores or clock speed for ARK?
For ARK server performance, prioritize clock speed over the number of cores. A dual-core CPU with high clock speed will be better than a quad-core CPU with a lower clock speed for this specific game.
4. Can a server with a quad-core CPU perform worse than a dual-core CPU?
Yes, if the quad-core has significantly lower clock speed than the dual-core. The core speed of the CPU is key to the game’s performance.
5. What’s the recommended RAM for an ARK server?
For a basic server, 8 GB of RAM is the minimum. If you have more than a few players, run multiple maps or install multiple mods, aim for 16 GB or more.
6. Does hyperthreading help an ARK server’s performance?
Hyperthreading can offer a small boost but doesn’t equate to having physical cores. Focus on a strong clock speed on your core processors rather than relying solely on hyperthreading.
7. Will I see better performance with an Intel processor or an AMD processor for ARK?
The specific processor model matters more than brand. Generally, the processors on the market designed for high single-core performance and high clock speeds are ideal. Specific recommendations are constantly evolving but currently, many intel processors hold a clock speed advantage over AMD when it comes to gaming.
8. Is it worth investing in a dedicated server for ARK?
If you plan to host a server for more than a few friends or want a consistently high-performance experience, then yes. A dedicated server offers better control, resources, and stability than hosting on your personal machine.
9. What is the minimum internet upload speed for an ARK server?
Aim for at least 100 Mbps upload speed for a good experience. Slower speeds can cause lag and instability.
10. How much storage space is needed for an ARK server?
ARK with all maps and mods can take a large amount of space. A minimum of 60 GB just for base game files is needed but additional space is ideal for mods, save files, and backups. A Solid State Drive (SSD) is strongly recommended over a traditional hard disk drive.
11. Can I run an ARK server on a virtual machine (VM)?
Yes, it’s possible, but ensure the VM has enough dedicated resources – particularly CPU cores, clock speed and RAM – allocated to it. Performance might be reduced in comparison to dedicated hardware.
12. Why is my ARK server still lagging, even with sufficient CPU?
Lag can be caused by numerous factors, such as poor internet connection, low RAM, hard drives instead of SSDs, outdated drivers or software, or resource-heavy mods.
13. Are there any specific operating system recommendations for hosting an ARK server?
Windows or Linux (CentOS recommended) 64-bit operating systems are both viable. Linux is often preferred for its efficiency in server environments.
14. How can I improve my ARK server’s performance?
Optimize mods, limit unnecessary background processes, have adequate ram and cpu speeds, and ensure the operating system is well maintained to help with overall performance. A fast SSD can improve loading times and generally improve server functionality.
15. Are higher core counts ever beneficial when using an ark server?
While the ark process itself typically only utilizes one to two cores, if you have a large number of players and mods running simultaneously the more cores your server has the better the game server will generally perform. A large number of players all taking different actions places large loads on the server and the more cores to distribute these tasks across the more efficient the server becomes.