For a licensed Squad dedicated server, plan on at least 8 GB of RAM for the first server instance, plus 4 GB for every additional instance. Offworld Industries recommends memory running at 3000 MHz or faster and publishes a list of tested CPU models. Licensed servers cannot run on virtual machines, VPSs or VDSs; they must use approved physical hardware or an Offworld Hosting Partner.
Storage is less precisely defined. Steam’s 65 GB figure applies to the player client, not to a dedicated-server installation. Your host therefore needs an SSD with room for the server files, operating system, updates, logs, configuration and backups. The sections below separate mandatory policy requirements from sensible operating headroom.
How much RAM does a Squad dedicated server need?
Offworld Industries’ current License Server Policies set a floor of 8 GB of RAM per server. Each additional game instance adds 4 GB to that policy minimum. The policy also recommends memory rated at 3000 MHz or faster.
| Game instances on the host | Policy RAM floor | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|
| One | 8 GB | Minimum assigned to the first licensed server instance |
| Two | 12 GB | 8 GB for the first instance plus 4 GB for the second |
| Three | 16 GB | 8 GB for the first instance plus 4 GB for each of two additional instances |
These are licensing floors, not a promise that the operating system and every workload will fit comfortably inside the same number. Leave physical memory for the operating system, monitoring agents, logs, update jobs, administration tools and any approved modifications. A host that technically meets 8 GB but constantly swaps or competes with other services can still deliver poor performance and put the license at risk.
The 4 GB increment is tied to each additional game instance, not to a particular number of players. If you put two licensed instances on one machine, the calculation starts at 12 GB even if each instance is lightly populated. If a host also runs unrelated services, count their memory separately rather than treating the policy floor as the machine’s total RAM requirement.
Is 8 GB enough for an 80-player Squad server?
Eight gigabytes satisfies the published per-server policy floor, but it should be treated as the minimum allocation rather than a guaranteed 80-player configuration. Player count, map, server settings, modifications, operating-system usage and background tasks all affect how much headroom remains.
For a single instance, install more physical RAM than the policy floor when the budget allows, then keep the extra capacity available to the server instead of filling it with unrelated services. A practical sizing decision is:
- Use 8 GB only when the machine is dedicated to one instance and you can verify that memory pressure stays low under the intended load.
- Choose a larger capacity when you need an operating-system safety margin, monitoring, scheduled updates, logs, backups or mods.
- Add another 4 GB to the policy calculation for every additional instance before deciding how much headroom to reserve.
Do not advertise “8 GB supports 80 players” as a universal guarantee. The policy does not publish a player-count-to-RAM table, and the license holder remains responsible for actual performance.
What CPU is best for a Squad server?
The best starting point is an exact model from Offworld’s tested CPU list, with strong single-thread performance and enough total capacity for the operating system and other approved tasks. Family names alone are not sufficient: the policy evaluates specific models.
| Platform | Tested models named by Offworld Industries |
|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 | i7-10700K, i7-10700KF, i7-13700K, i7-13700KF, i7-14700K, i7-14700KF, i7-14900K, i7-14900KF |
| Intel Core i9 | i9-10900K, i9-10900KF, i9-11900K, i9-11900KF, i9-12900K, i9-12900KF, i9-13700K, i9-13700KF, i9-13900K, i9-13900KF |
| Intel Xeon | Xeon W-1290P, Xeon E-2388G |
| AMD Ryzen 7 | Ryzen 7 5700X, 5800X, 7700X, 9700X, 9900X, 9950X; Ryzen 7 5700X3D, 5800X3D and 7800X3D |
| AMD Ryzen 9 | Ryzen 9 5900X, 5950X, 7900, 7900X, 7950X; Ryzen 9 7900X3D and 9950X3D |
| AMD Epyc | Epyc 4545p |
The list is a compatibility reference, not a blanket approval for every processor in a series. A different model can be considered only with prior approval when its performance is comparable. Until that approval is obtained, selecting an unlisted CPU creates a licensing risk even if its advertised core count looks higher.
More cores do not automatically solve a server tick-rate problem. Check CPU utilization and per-core behavior during a realistic match, especially when several instances share a host. Keep firmware, power settings and cooling stable enough that the processor does not throttle under sustained load; the policy’s performance obligations still apply regardless of the specification sheet.
How much storage does a Squad dedicated server need?
Offworld’s hosting policy does not publish a dedicated-server storage capacity. Steam lists 65 GB of available space for the Squad player client in its 2020 store listing, released September 23, 2020. That number is not an official sizing rule for a server installation.
Use an SSD and plan capacity as a working budget rather than matching the client figure exactly. The disk must accommodate:
- Downloaded server files and any required content.
- The operating system and package updates.
- Log growth during long-running sessions.
- Configuration files and rotation or retention copies.
- Server updates, validation files and temporary download space.
- Backups stored locally before they are copied elsewhere.
Keep meaningful free space after installation. Running a disk at near capacity can make updates fail, stop log rotation and prevent recovery backups even when the game files themselves still fit. Because no dedicated-server number is stated in the policy, label any capacity you choose as an operational recommendation, not as an Offworld requirement.
Can I run a licensed Squad server on a VPS?
No. Offworld’s current policy says, “Virtual Machines (VM, VPS, VDS, etc) are not permitted for licensing due to inadequate performance.” A licensed server must run on approved physical hardware or through an Offworld Hosting Partner.
This restriction applies even when a virtual server advertises dedicated-looking CPU cores or a large memory allocation. Check the host’s underlying delivery model before signing up: a virtual machine, VPS or VDS does not become eligible simply because it has a fast processor or an SSD. If you need hosted infrastructure, use a provider that is currently recognized as an Offworld Hosting Partner and confirm the applicable regional terms.
Self-hosting also carries administrative requirements. Offworld requires at least 10 administrators per server. Licensing is discretionary, and poor performance can result in a request to upgrade hardware, a reduced player limit or license revocation.
How should I size and prepare a physical server?
Follow this order so that compliance is settled before you optimize performance:
- Count instances. Start with 8 GB for the first instance and add 4 GB for each additional instance. Add separate capacity for the operating system and your operational tools.
- Choose an exact approved CPU model. Match the processor against Offworld’s tested list, including the precise suffix such as K, KF or X3D. If it is absent, seek prior approval rather than assuming a newer family member qualifies.
- Install sufficiently fast memory. Target modules rated at 3000 MHz or faster, as recommended by the policy. Verify that the motherboard and firmware run them at the intended profile.
- Use physical deployment. Select a dedicated physical machine or a current Offworld Hosting Partner. Exclude VM, VPS and VDS offerings from a licensed deployment.
- Reserve SSD capacity. Leave working room for updates, logs, configuration, backups and the operating system in addition to the game files.
- Provide administration coverage. Organize at least 10 administrators and define who handles restarts, updates, moderation and incident response.
- Measure under load. Observe memory pressure, CPU utilization, disk space, network behavior and server tick rate during the maps and player counts you intend to support.
This process prevents a common mistake: buying a high-core-count machine that fails the hosting rule, or meeting the RAM floor while leaving no capacity for routine maintenance.
What Squad server performance thresholds matter?
Offworld’s health guidance uses server tick rate (TPS) as a status signal: green is above 35 TPS, yellow is below 25 TPS and red is below 15 TPS. These thresholds describe server health; they are not a formula that converts a TPS target into a particular CPU model or RAM size.
Track the trend rather than reacting to one brief dip. A persistent yellow or red state warrants checking CPU saturation, memory pressure, disk contention, network conditions and recent configuration or mod changes. If the host cannot maintain acceptable performance after corrective work, the policy allows Offworld to require an upgrade, reduce the player limit or revoke the license.
What are the most common sizing mistakes?
Confusing the client requirement with server storage
The 65 GB Steam figure describes the player client. Treating it as a guaranteed server capacity leaves no defined allowance for logs, backups or updates.
Counting only the first instance
Every extra instance adds 4 GB to the policy floor. A two-instance host therefore starts at 12 GB before operating-system and maintenance headroom.
Buying by CPU family instead of exact model
Approval is model-specific. A processor that sounds similar to a tested part may still need prior approval.
Assuming a premium VPS is acceptable
Virtualization is disallowed for licensing regardless of advertised specifications. Use approved physical hardware or a recognized hosting partner.
Ignoring operations
Ten administrators, restart procedures, update windows, log retention and backup handling are part of running a licensed server reliably, not optional extras after the hardware purchase.
What is the sensible baseline for one licensed instance?
For one instance, the non-negotiable starting point is 8 GB RAM, memory rated at 3000 MHz or faster, and an exact CPU model on Offworld’s tested list. The machine should be physical, use SSD storage with operational headroom, and have at least 10 administrators assigned. Add capacity when the host will run monitoring, backups, mods or other services, and validate the result with TPS and resource measurements under the intended player load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 4 GB increment apply to every additional player slot?
No. Offworld’s formula is per game instance, not per slot. A second instance adds 4 GB to the 8 GB starting floor even if that instance has a small community or low concurrent population.
What should I do if my CPU is not on the tested list?
Do not present it as automatically licensed. Ask Offworld Industries for prior approval and provide evidence that the processor offers comparable performance; the license holder remains accountable for the server’s results.
Why can a server meet the RAM requirement and still perform badly?
The RAM figure is only a policy floor. CPU contention, thermal throttling, disk saturation, network conditions, configuration changes and overloaded background services can all reduce tick rate without exhausting memory.
How many administrators are required for a licensed server?
Offworld requires at least 10 administrators per server. Plan that coverage before launch so moderation, maintenance and incident response do not depend on one or two people.