Garry's Mod Server Hardware Requirements
Understanding the hardware needs for running a stable Garry's Mod server based on your player count and addon usage.
Minimum Requirements
For small servers (8-16 players) with minimal addons:
- CPU: 2 cores @ 2.4GHz
- RAM: 2GB
- Storage: 15GB SSD
- Bandwidth: 1 Mbps per player
Recommended Requirements
For medium servers (16-32 players) with moderate addons:
- CPU: 4 cores @ 3.0GHz+
- RAM: 4-6GB
- Storage: 25GB SSD
- Bandwidth: 1.5 Mbps per player
High-End Requirements
For large servers (32-64+ players) with many addons:
- CPU: 8+ cores @ 3.5GHz+
- RAM: 8-16GB+
- Storage: 50GB+ NVMe SSD
- Bandwidth: 2+ Mbps per player
Factors Affecting Performance
Addon Count
More addons increase RAM usage significantly. Each heavy addon (maps, weapon packs) can consume 100-500MB.
Physics Calculations
Garry's Mod is physics-intensive. High entity counts (props, ragdolls) strain the CPU.
Map Complexity
Larger maps with more geometry require more resources. Popular maps like gm_construct are lightweight, while RP maps like rp_downtown_v2 are moderate.
Player Activity
Active gameplay (combat, building) uses more CPU than idle players spectating.
Network Requirements
Important: Garry's Mod uses the Source Engine, which is primarily single-threaded. A faster single-core CPU is better than more cores.
Storage Recommendations
Always use SSD storage for Garry's Mod servers. HDDs can cause:
- Long map load times
- Lag spikes during initial spawns
- Freezing when downloading workshop content
OS Considerations
- Linux: Generally more stable, better performance
- Windows: Easier setup, good for development