FiveM server hardware requirements
There is no single official spec for a FiveM server because the load depends almost entirely on what you run: a vanilla vMenu server with 32 players and a heavy roleplay server with 200 scripts and 128 players are different machines. What does hold everywhere is which components matter, in what order.
Short answer: Prioritise a CPU with high single-thread performance, then enough RAM for the server, the database and caches, then fast NVMe storage and a good network. As a rough guide, small servers run well on a modern 4-core CPU with 8–16 GB RAM; busy roleplay servers with 100+ players want the fastest cores available and 32 GB or more, often with the database tuned or separated.
#A rough sizing guide
| Server | CPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development / friends (≤ 10) | Any modern 4-core | 8 GB | SSD |
| Small public (≤ 48) | Modern 4–6 core, high clock | 16 GB | NVMe |
| Medium RP (48–128) | Fast 6–8 core, top single-thread | 32 GB | NVMe |
| Large RP (128+) | The fastest single-thread CPU available | 64 GB+ | NVMe, database tuned or separate |
Rules of thumb. Your resources and streamed assets change the picture.
#CPU: single-thread speed first
The FiveM server’s main game thread runs scripts and synchronisation. When one tick takes too long the console prints a “server thread hitch warning”, and players feel it as rubber-banding. Extra cores help the database and other processes; a faster core helps the server itself.
#RAM
The server process, MariaDB (with its buffer pool), txAdmin and caches all need memory. Running out causes swapping and stalls that look like script lag. Give the database a sensible buffer pool rather than letting it fight the server for memory.
#Network and bandwidth
Game sync traffic is modest per player, but resource downloads are not: every new player downloads every streamed asset. A server with gigabytes of cars and MLOs needs good upload bandwidth, or new players wait a long time on the loading screen. Keeping assets lean helps as much as a bigger pipe — see texture optimisation.
#Signs you have outgrown your hardware
- Hitch warnings appear only at peak player counts.
- The database is slow even with indexes.
- RAM is full and the machine swaps.
- The profiler shows no single bad resource — just too much total work.
Before upgrading, profile: one bad script can make any hardware look too small — see server performance.
Questions
How much RAM does a FiveM server need?
What CPU is best for FiveM?
Does a FiveM server need an SSD?
Why do new players take long to download my server?
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