For a private ATLAS dedicated server, plan on at least 4 GB RAM, two CPU cores and about 20 GB of storage for a 1×1 grid. A 2×2 cluster needs at least 16 GB RAM, eight CPU cores or threads and 40 GB of storage. Those are bare planning baselines, not a performance guarantee. Redis, the operating system, saves, logs, mods, backups and simultaneous players all consume resources, so production hosts commonly start higher: roughly 8 GB RAM and 50 GB disk for 1×1, or 24 GB RAM and 60 GB disk for 2×2, according to a provider’s derived guidance. The 120 GB storage figure shown on Steam is the ATLAS client minimum, not a dedicated-server specification.
How much RAM, CPU and storage does an ATLAS server need?
The practical starting point depends primarily on how many grid cells you run. Each cell is a separate server process, so doubling the layout from 1×1 to 2×2 adds processes and increases memory, CPU and disk overhead.
| ATLAS layout | RAM baseline | CPU baseline | Storage baseline | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1×1 grid | 4 GB | 2 cores | Approximately 20 GB | Bare community setup baseline for one cell; leave room for the OS and services. |
| 2×2 cluster | 16 GB or more | 8 cores or threads | 40 GB or more | Baseline for four cells; extra headroom is advisable for players, mods and backups. |
| Provider-derived 1×1 starting point | 8 GB | Not specified beyond the underlying CPU guidance | 50 GB | Higher practical starting point published for hosted deployments, not a Grapeshot guarantee. |
| Provider-derived 2×2 starting point | 24 GB | Not specified beyond the underlying CPU guidance | 60 GB | Directional hosted-plan guidance that builds in more operational headroom. |
The 4 GB/2-core/20 GB and 16 GB/8-core-or-thread/40 GB figures come from community setup material and are corroborated by an independent hosting guide. They should be treated as planning numbers rather than an official hardware guarantee. If the machine also runs a database, monitoring stack, control panel or other game servers, reserve resources for those workloads separately.
What should a 1×1 server owner actually provision?
A 1×1 server is the smallest common dedicated arrangement: one grid cell and one game-server process. Four gigabytes of RAM and two CPU cores may boot that configuration, but an 8 GB machine with at least 50 GB of disk is a safer starting point for a persistent world. The additional memory gives the operating system and Redis room to work without forcing the game process into swap, while the larger disk accommodates updates, logs and multiple save copies.
What should a 2×2 cluster owner provision?
A 2×2 cluster contains four cells. Community guidance lists 16 GB RAM, eight cores or threads and at least 40 GB of storage; a hosted provider’s derived starting point is 24 GB RAM and 60 GB disk. Choose the higher figures when several players will move between cells, when mods are installed, or when the host must retain local backups. CPU frequency and sustained cooling matter as much as the advertised thread count because every cell has its own simulation workload.
Why does an ATLAS grid require more resources than a single game process?
ATLAS divides its world into grid cells, and each grid has its own server. The game’s ServerGridEditor is used to configure those cells, while community deployment guides run Redis beside the game servers and assign a separate process and unique ports to every cell. A 2×2 layout therefore means four game processes plus the supporting Redis service, not one process with a larger map.
RAM rises with each process and with the data those processes cache. CPU demand rises when cells simulate creatures, structures, physics and player activity at the same time. Storage rises more slowly during initial installation but grows as you retain world saves, crash dumps, logs, mod files and backups. Port planning also becomes part of the resource plan: every cell needs a conflict-free set of network ports, and a firewall or router must expose the ports required by your chosen deployment.
Are Steam’s ATLAS requirements the same as dedicated-server requirements?
No. Steam lists the client minimum as an Intel Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-8320 (or better), 4 GB RAM, 120 GB available storage and broadband internet for multiplayer. Those figures describe the computer running the game client and should not be substituted for server sizing.
The 120 GB number is useful when planning a machine that will hold the game installation and server files, but it is not a promise that a running server will fit in exactly 120 GB. A host retaining several grids, rolling saves, logs, workshop or manual mods and backups can need substantially more capacity. Conversely, a minimal test instance may use less than the client allowance; the difference is why client and server figures must be kept separate.
How much storage should I reserve for an ATLAS server?
Use the 20 GB (1×1) and 40 GB or more (2×2) figures as minimum working space for the server installation and one active world, then add capacity for everything you intend to retain. A 120 GB SSD is a reasonable minimum device size when the machine also stores the client or other software, but a dedicated host should size the disk around its retention policy rather than the installation download alone.
- Operating system and updates: reserve space outside the game’s folder so system updates cannot fill the volume.
- Redis and service data: Redis runs alongside the grid processes in common deployments and may create persistence files or logs.
- World saves: keep several dated copies so a corrupted save can be rolled back without destroying the current world.
- Mods and patches: unofficial mods can be any size or configuration, and updates can temporarily require both old and new files.
- Logs and crash dumps: cap or rotate them; an otherwise healthy server can stop when diagnostic files consume the remaining disk.
- Backups: local backups protect against accidental deletion but do not protect against disk failure, so copy important saves to another device or location.
Solid-state storage reduces startup and save-load latency compared with a mechanical disk. Capacity, interface compatibility and endurance still need to match the motherboard and workload; the storage baseline alone does not identify a particular drive model.
How many CPU cores does a 1×1 or 2×2 server need?
The planning baseline is two CPU cores for 1×1 and eight cores or threads for 2×2. Those values reflect the number of concurrent grid processes and their supporting work, not a guaranteed frame rate or tick rate. A newer, faster core can outperform an older processor with more nominal threads, while background tasks can consume capacity that looked adequate on paper.
For a 1×1 server, reserve two cores for the game process and avoid placing unrelated high-load applications on the same machine. For 2×2, eight cores or threads gives the four cells room to run concurrently and leaves some scheduling flexibility. Watch sustained CPU utilization and server tick or save delays during peak activity rather than judging the system from idle usage.
Should I run ATLAS on Windows or Linux?
Private hosts can use Windows or Linux. The choice changes administration, update tools and firewall commands more than it changes the underlying grid architecture. Select the operating system you can patch, monitor and recover confidently.
- Windows: convenient if you already manage Windows services and graphical tools; configure inbound rules for every cell and the Redis service as required by your layout.
- Linux: well suited to headless rented machines and automation; use a service manager, persistent logs and explicit firewall rules so processes restart after maintenance.
- Either platform: use a fixed server directory, document ports and launch parameters, schedule save backups, and keep enough free disk for an update that downloads before replacing old files.
Multiplayer also requires broadband internet. Upload capacity, latency and routing affect the experience even when the server’s CPU and RAM are sufficient. Home connections behind carrier-grade NAT may need a relay or a different host because inbound port forwarding is not always available.
How do I size an ATLAS server before renting or building it?
Start with the grid you actually need, then add explicit allowances for services and retention. The following sequence avoids confusing a client minimum with a server plan.
- Choose the grid layout. Confirm whether one cell (1×1) is enough or whether players need four connected cells (2×2). Larger worlds multiply the per-cell process count.
- Set the memory floor. Use 4 GB for a bare 1×1 baseline or 16 GB or more for a 2×2 baseline. Add headroom for the operating system, Redis, mods and player load; 8 GB and 24 GB are provider-derived practical starting points for those layouts.
- Set the CPU floor. Plan around two cores for 1×1 or eight cores/threads for 2×2. Prefer modern single-core performance and sustained cooling over a high thread count with weak per-core speed.
- Set the disk floor and retention budget. Begin at approximately 20 GB for 1×1 or 40 GB or more for 2×2, then add space for saves, logs, mods, updates and the number of backup generations you will keep. A 50 GB or 60 GB hosted plan may be more realistic than the bare minimums.
- Plan networking. Give each grid a unique port set, open only the required firewall rules and verify that your router or provider permits inbound traffic.
- Measure under load. Invite the expected number of players, travel between cells and trigger saves while recording RAM use, CPU saturation, disk latency and free space. Increase resources before the host begins swapping or dropping saves.
Is self-hosting or managed hosting better for ATLAS?
Self-hosting offers control over hardware, files and configuration, but you are responsible for operating-system updates, port forwarding, backups, monitoring and recovery. Managed hosting packages some of that work, although plan limits, locations, backup policies and upgrade terms vary by provider.
| Consideration | Self-hosted machine | Managed host |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Install the server, Redis and grid configuration yourself. | Often provides a panel or prebuilt deployment, subject to the host’s supported options. |
| Networking | You manage router forwarding, firewall rules and changing addresses. | The provider supplies public networking; you still configure ports and access controls inside the service. |
| Backups | You choose destinations, schedules and retention. | Backup frequency and restoration rights depend on the plan; verify them before relying on the service. |
| Scaling | Buy or provision additional CPU, RAM and disk when the layout grows. | Resize within the provider’s available plans, which may require downtime or migration. |
| Cost trade-off | Hardware and bandwidth are yours, with more administrative effort. | Recurring fees buy convenience, but advertised resources are directional and not a universal performance guarantee. |
For a first private cluster, compare the provider’s allocated CPU model, storage type, backup terms and upgrade path—not only the headline RAM number. A plan that barely meets the baseline can become unstable once Redis, logs and backups share the same disk.
What problems indicate that an ATLAS server is undersized?
Symptoms usually point to a specific bottleneck. Check metrics while reproducing the problem instead of adding random resources.
- Memory exhaustion or swapping: the process may stutter, restart or be killed by the operating system. Stop nonessential services, reduce mod and backup concurrency, and add RAM before increasing CPU.
- High CPU with delayed simulation: crowded cells or several active cells can saturate cores. Move unrelated workloads, lower avoidable background jobs and scale to a host with faster or additional cores.
- Disk-full errors or failed saves: rotate logs, delete obsolete crash dumps, move backups off-host and expand the volume before the next save cycle.
- Players cannot connect: check the advertised address, each cell’s unique ports, firewall rules, router forwarding and whether the internet connection permits inbound traffic.
- Long startup after a mod update: allow temporary space for downloads and replacement files; do not remove the only known-good save while troubleshooting.
Can I run the complete 15×15 ATLAS world privately?
It is technically different from running a small cluster because the full 15×15 world requires a server for every grid cell. IONOS describes that arrangement as difficult for private hosts and identifies 1×1 and 2×2 as common private sizes. A 15×15 layout would mean 225 cell processes before counting Redis, the operating system, networking overhead, saves and backups, so the small-cluster baselines cannot be multiplied into a dependable production guarantee.
If your group needs a larger world, expand incrementally, measure each added cell under real activity and use infrastructure designed for many processes. Confirm port capacity, automated restarts, monitoring and backup throughput before opening additional grids to players.
Is a dedicated server necessary for a small private group?
Not always. Steam’s ATLAS description says non-dedicated sessions support up to eight friends. That option can suit a short cooperative session when persistent availability, independent administration and a multi-cell world are unnecessary. A dedicated server becomes more useful when players need to join while the host is offline, when you want scheduled backups and mods, or when the group is moving between configured grid cells.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a laptop as an ATLAS dedicated server?
You can for a small test or 1×1 world if it remains powered, cool and connected, but laptops often throttle under sustained load and may sleep or change networks. Disable sleep, monitor temperatures and keep the world on reliable external storage before inviting a persistent community.
How should I monitor an ATLAS server’s resource use?
Track per-process RAM, total CPU utilization, disk free space and disk latency while players travel between cells and during saves. Record peak values for several sessions; idle readings are not useful for deciding whether a 2×2 cluster has enough headroom.
Do mods change the RAM and storage requirement?
Yes. Unofficial mods can be any size or configuration, and their files, caches and update downloads consume disk and may increase memory or CPU load. Test the exact mod set on a copy of the world before applying it to the production instance.
How many backup copies should an ATLAS host keep?
Keep multiple dated generations rather than overwriting one file, and store at least one copy on another device or location. The right count depends on how often the world changes and how much rollback history your group needs; the important point is to budget that space before the disk fills.