Random Access Memory or RAM is a type of computer memory that stores data temporarily while the computer is running. It allows the computer to access and manipulate data quickly, making it essential for running software programs, including games like Minecraft. When playing Minecraft, the amount of RAM required can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the world being generated, the number of players on the server, and the number of mods or custom content being used. In many cases, the performance tanks are due to a lack of sufficient RAM, so today, we are going to learn how to dedicate ram to Minecraft to remedy these irritating cases.
There are different types of RAM allocation as well. Sometimes it is not the end user’s RAM that is insufficient and prevent a smooth experience, but instead, it is a server RAM shortage at fault. So we will address that issue as well.
Minecraft RAM is an important component that plays a crucial role in the game’s performance. By understanding Minecraft’s RAM requirements and how to allocate more RAM to Minecraft, players can improve their gaming experience and enjoy Minecraft to the fullest.
How Much RAM Does Minecraft Actually Need?
Below is a list of minimum Minecraft requirements, including the RAM:
- CPU: Intel Core i3-3210 3.2 GHz / AMD A8-7600 APU 3.1 GHz or equivalent
- RAM: 2 GB
- VIDEO CARD: Integrated: Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge) or AMD Radeon R5 series (Kaveri line) with OpenGL 4.41Discrete: Nvidia GeForce 400 Series or AMD Radeon HD 7000 series with OpenGL 4.4
- PIXEL SHADER: 5.0
- VERTEX SHADER: 5.0
- OS: Windows 7 and upper
- FREE DISK SPACE: At least 1 GB for Game Core and Other Files
Minecraft typically runs best with at least 2GB of RAM, but for a more seamless experience, 4GB or even more is ideal. As mentioned before, the exact RAM you’ll need depends on things like the world size, the number of players, and any mods or custom content you’re using. If you want to up your game’s performance and reduce lag, consider giving Minecraft more RAM. Just remember, overdoing it might slow things down, so find the sweet spot that suits your gameplay. However, this does not mean that allocating above 4GB is a bad thing; in many cases, Minecraft is modded heavily with additional overhaul mods and texture packs that take the required specs of the game to the next level. If your Minecraft is modded and laggy, then RAM shortage is a likely culprit. So to fix this perfectly, you need to learn how to allocate RAM to Minecraft.
How Much RAM Does a Minecraft Server Need?
For a Minecraft server, the RAM you need can shift based on a few things: most importantly, how many players are on, the world’s size. A small server with just a handful of players? 1-2GB of RAM should do the trick. But if you’re hosting a big group of players, you’ll want to think about getting 4GB or even more to keep things running smoothly.
Just like with individual players, throwing more RAM at a server doesn’t always boost its performance. Sometimes, overloading a server with RAM can backfire, causing lag or even crashes. It’s all about striking the right balance. Match the RAM to the server’s needs, and tweak as necessary.
Running a Minecraft server requires a good understanding of how much RAM you need. While the number of players and the mods you’re using play a significant role, it’s all about ensuring everyone has a lag-free experience. To put it into context, many believe that for a server hosting about 100 people, you’d need roughly 60 GB of RAM. But always monitor and adjust based on performance and feedback.
Checking Your Actual RAM
It is important to know how much actual RAM you have at your disposal to work with. There is a chance that your computer does not have enough RAM to support either a server or the game itself. Of course, most users know how much RAM their computer has, but in case you don’t know, follow these steps to know exactly how much firepower you have.
- Press the Windows key + Pause/Break key to open the System window.
- Under the System section, you will see the installed RAM listed under the Installed memory (RAM) section.
Or alternatively, you can use this method:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Click on the Performance tab.
- Under Memory, you will see the total amount of RAM installed.
Now with this knowledge at hand, you know how much of your resources you need to allocate more RAM to Minecraft.
How to Allocate RAM to Minecraft through the Official Launcher?
Before we start the guide itself, I should say that I will include two separate guides on how to give Minecraft more RAM. This is because while there is an official launcher for Minecraft, many people use alternate launchers like ATlauncher, which is used for more modded versions of Minecraft that have more RAM issues than average. But with that said, let’s dive into how to allocate more RAM to Minecraft on the official launcher. Simply follow these steps, and you will have more Minecraft RAM in no time!
Step 1: Open the Launcher and Select Game Version
You need to open the launcher of whatever version of Minecraft you play. It can be a Bedrock version or a Java version. For our purposes, it really does not make much difference. Here you will see several tabs on the top; select Installations. You will now see a list of releases. Now you should select the game version of your choice. My recommendation would be the latest version.
Step 2: Edit the Allocated RAM
Now it’s time to actually learn how to allocate more RAM to Minecraft. Once the game version is selected, you will see the three white dots appear on the right side of your launcher. Click on them and then select the Edit option. In the new edit menu, select More Options and navigate to the field labeled JVM Arguments. Here you will see the following code: “-Xmx1G”
Here the number 1 represents the amount of allocated RAM to Minecraft at the moment. Although you may see different numbers. Regardless you can change it like so: “-Xmx#G”
Change the # symbol with the number of RAM gigabytes you wish to allocate. For example, Xmx6G means that the game will now use 6GB of RAM. Now click on Save. You need to quit and restart the launcher for the changes to take effect. Congratulations! You now know how to allocate more RAM to Minecraft on the official launcher!
How to Allocate RAM to Minecraft through the ATLauncher?
Now it’s time to learn how to allocate more RAM to Minecraft on ATLauncher. But first, let’s quickly familiarize ourselves with it.
ATLauncher is a launcher for Minecraft that permits users to swiftly and conveniently manage and install modpacks. It provides an intuitive interface for browsing and downloading modpacks, along with configuring different settings like memory allocation and Java versions. Additionally, ATLauncher includes various tools for updating Minecraft installations and modpacks, which makes it a popular option among players who enjoy using mods. It’s important to note that ATLauncher isn’t an official Minecraft launcher but a third-party launcher created by a community of Minecraft enthusiasts.
Similar to the guide for the official launcher, simply follow the steps, and you will get more Minecraft RAM in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Open ATLauncher and Head to Settings
Open the popular launcher, and on the right-side menu panel, you will see the Settings tab. Click on it to browse the options.
Here, click on the Java/Minecraft tab in the Settings menu. This now brings you to a new drop-down menu. You will also see the options related to your dedicated memory or RAM. Out of these options, select the one that reads Maximum Memory/RAM. Click on it.
Step 3: Change the RAM Input
Once you have clicked on the aforementioned option, a new drop-down menu will appear, allowing you to allocate as much RAM as you want using two arrows that will decrease and increase the amount. Select the desired amount, and you now know how to allocate more RAM to Minecraft on ATLauncher!
How to Allocate RAM to Minecraft Server on a PC?
Let’s say you are running a Minecraft server on a computer. The lack of enough dedicated RAM on the server can also slow down the game for the end users who play the game on the server. In this section, I will cover how to add more RAM to a Minecraft server hosted on a PC. The process is rather similar to the one we already covered for increasing Minecraft RAM on the official launcher, so once again, simply follow the steps, and you will get it down in no time.
Step 1: Browse the Server Files
Navigate to the directory where the Minecraft server files are located. Right-click on the server file and select Edit or Open with and select a text editor. Notepad is a great option found on most computers for this task.
Step 2: Edit the Amount of Dedicated RAM to the Minecraft Server
Locate the line of code that starts with “java -Xmx” and is followed by a number and “M” for megabytes or “G” for gigabytes. This line determines the maximum amount of RAM allocated to the Minecraft server. Increase the value after “Xmx” to allocate more RAM. For example, if the current value is “-Xmx1024M“, you can increase it to “-Xmx2048M” to allocate 2GB of RAM to the server. Save the changes to the file.
Step 3: Test and Final Considerations
Go ahead and close the text editor, then start your Minecraft server as usual. Remember, while it might be tempting to max out on RAM, giving the server more than it needs can actually slow things down. Always allocate just the right amount based on the server’s needs. Also, double-check that your PC has the spare RAM to give. Congrats, you’ve just learned how to boost your Minecraft server’s RAM!
Traditional Server vs. Desktop vs. VPS: Best Method to Host Minecraft
When it comes to hosting a Minecraft server, there are three main options to consider: a traditional server, a desktop PC, or a Virtual Private Server (VPS). Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. Here I will cover them one by one, concluding with the best option that will eliminate the need for you to allocate more RAM to Minecraft!
Traditional Servers
A traditional server setup involves using a dedicated physical machine solely for running a Minecraft server. While this method provides unparalleled control and customization – perfect for substantial player loads – it does come with a hefty price tag and a need for tech know-how. As time progresses, maintaining such servers can drain your wallet even more. So, even though it’s dependable, if you’re looking to optimize your Minecraft RAM usage, there might be more cost-effective and efficient alternatives out there.
Desktop PC Hosting
Hosting a Minecraft server on your own desktop computer is a popular option for small servers made for small groups of friends to play on a totally free, private, and customizable server. This option is relatively easy and affordable, and it allows for easy customization and control. However, it’s important to note that running a server on your desktop can affect your computer’s performance and cause lag. Also, it is inefficient for even medium servers, and it requires a lot of technical knowledge to set up. This is the most likely method to lead you to look for ways on how to add more RAM to Minecraft server.
Virtual Private Server
A Virtual Private Server is a remote server that is hosted by a third-party provider. This option offers the perfect balance of providing direct user control over the server and affordability. It’s suitable for all server sizes since it is easily scalable with ease, and has excellent uptime, coupled with great traffic bandwidth. There is some technical knowledge required for it to get going, but most VPS providers have the means of providing 24/7 live tech support.
Cloudzy is a cloud VPS providers, featuring a robust, secure server hosted on one of our 15 global locations; you can easily get a VPS package offering excellent connection quality and latency. The servers come with AI-powered anti-DDoS features to protect your server, and there are flexible billing options, and crypto payment means available as well. The cherry on top is a seven-day money-back guarantee in the unlikely case that you are not satisfied with your purchase! Get the Minecraft VPS now and eliminate the need to manage your Minecraft RAM now!
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Conclusion
As a game that gradually expands its world the more the players explore it, and coupled with the fact that many people can join a single multiplayer world, Minecraft is one of the most susceptible games to RAM issues. You can remedy this by using the methods given in this guide on how to allocate more RAM to Minecraft in order to fix this issue. You can also combat the problem by using more efficient methods of hosting as explained in the section above.
FAQ
Can allocating too much RAM to Minecraft cause problems?
Allocating too much RAM to Minecraft can cause performance issues, including lag, freezing, and crashing. It’s important to allocate only the amount of RAM that is necessary for your specific needs.
Do I need a powerful computer to allocate more RAM to Minecraft?
Allocating more RAM to Minecraft can improve performance, but it also requires more system resources. While a powerful computer can handle more allocated RAM, even lower-end computers can benefit from increased RAM allocation if it’s done correctly.
How do I know if I need to allocate more RAM to Minecraft?
If you are experiencing lag, stuttering, or long loading times in Minecraft, it may be an indication that your computer is running out of RAM. In such cases, allocating more RAM to Minecraft can help improve the game’s performance.
What is the difference between client-side and server-side RAM allocation?
Client-side RAM allocation refers to the amount of RAM allocated to the Minecraft game client on your computer, while server-side RAM allocation refers to the amount of RAM allocated to the Minecraft server. It’s important to note that allocating more RAM to the client side will not necessarily improve server performance.
Can I allocate more RAM to Minecraft on consoles or mobile devices?
Minecraft’s console and mobile editions don’t offer the same flexibility as PCs when it comes to RAM allocation. This is mainly because these versions are tailored to the specific hardware of the device they’re running on. Tweaking RAM settings on these platforms isn’t advised since it can lead to stability and performance hiccups. Stick to the default settings for the best experience.
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