Garry’s Mod servers don’t need much RAM: 2 GB for a few friends in Sandbox, 4 GB for most servers, and 6 to 8 GB for DarkRP or big Workshop collections. Lag usually comes from physics and addons, not memory. Most of the game’s work runs on one CPU core, so a pile of moving props can slow everyone down long before RAM runs out.
How much RAM you need
| Players online | Sandbox, TTT, Prop Hunt or Murder | DarkRP or many addons |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| 10 to 24 | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| 24 to 64 | 4 to 6 GB | 8 GB |
These are our starting points, not promises. Watch the RAM graph on Overview and adjust.
What causes lag
| Cause | Why it costs | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Props and physics | Every prop that moves, collides or is welded is work for the server | Lower sbox_maxprops and sbox_maxconstraints. Ask players to freeze props they aren’t moving |
| Addons | Some addons run code all the time, and broken ones spam Lua errors | Remove addons you don’t use. Fix or remove anything that shows errors in the Console |
| Tickrate | The server updates about 66 times a second by default | -tickrate 33 halves the work. Good for roleplay and build servers |
| Max players | More players means more props, more weapons, more network traffic | Set it to the number you really expect |
| NPCs | Each NPC thinks and moves on its own | Keep sbox_maxnpcs low |
| Big Workshop collections | Slow first start and slow joins, though not slower play | Keep collections to what you use |
For shooters like Trouble in Terrorist Town, keep the default tickrate: hits feel more accurate. Set the tickrate in the startup section of Settings.
Prop limits for busy servers
The default limits are per player. With 30 players, sbox_maxprops 200 allows 6,000 props. For a busy build server, try:
sbox_maxprops 100
sbox_maxconstraints 500
sbox_maxropeconstraints 250
sbox_maxnpcs 5Put these in server.cfg. All the limits and their defaults are in the config reference.
Restarts
A regular restart clears memory and stray props. Once a day at a quiet time is a good habit.
- Open Schedules.
- Add the Daily restart with warnings preset. It warns players in game before it restarts.
- Set the time to when your server is quietest.
- Optionally, only restart when nobody is online.
Changing the map also clears every prop and reloads the gamemode, which helps when a build session got out of hand.
Check how the server is doing
- Type
statsin the Console. It shows the server’s frame rate (FPS). If it drops well below your tickrate, the server can’t keep up. - Watch the Console for lines starting with
[ERROR]. The same error repeating over and over usually points to one broken addon. - Players can open the game’s Problems menu to see Lua errors on their side.
Pick the right region
Ping (the delay between a player and the server) matters most in shooters like TTT. Pick the region closest to most of your players: EU or US East.
Read the graphs on Overview
Overview shows CPU, RAM, players and network over the last 24 hours and 7 days.
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| CPU jumps when people build big contraptions | Physics. Lower the prop and constraint limits |
| CPU high with few players | An addon, or a contraption left running. Change the map to clear props, then check addons |
| RAM climbs and drops at each restart | Normal |
| RAM near the top of your plan | Too many addons or a big collection. Remove some, or move to a bigger plan |
| Network spikes when players join | Normal. Players download your server’s content |
If the server crashes, the Console shows a crash helper card with a plain-words hint.
When to upgrade your plan
Move to a bigger plan when RAM stays near your plan’s limit after restarts. If lag comes from physics or a slow addon, a bigger plan won’t fix it; lower the limits or remove the addon first. Your data, address and settings stay the same when you change plans.
Questions
How much RAM does a Garry's Mod server need?
2 GB runs Sandbox for a few friends. 4 GB suits most servers, and 6 to 8 GB is better for DarkRP or large Workshop collections.
Why does my Garry's Mod server lag when people build?
Physics. Every moving or welded prop is work for the server. Lower the prop and constraint limits, and ask players to freeze props they aren't moving.
What tickrate should my Garry's Mod server use?
The default of about 66 feels best for shooters like TTT. Roleplay and build servers often run well at 33, which halves the work the server does each second.
Do more addons make a Garry's Mod server slower?
Often, yes. Badly written addons and ones that throw Lua errors cost the most. Big Workshop collections also make starting and joining slower.
Sources we checked
- Command Line ParametersFacepunch Studios
- Serving ContentFacepunch Studios
- Sandbox gamemode settings (sandbox.txt)Facepunch Studios
