What is the optimal system configuration for a Rust server?
By creating your own dedicated Rust server, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the game however you want. As an administrator, it is up to you to choose whether you prefer to play PvE or PvP, which map to select, and what the limits of your game world will be. Theoretically, it is possible to host a Rust server on your personal computer while joining this server from the same device. However, unless you have cutting-edge equipment and an excellent internet connection, it is advisable to rent a Rust server from a supplier.
In any case, in order to run your Rust server correctly, it is essential to have a high-performance processor. Even for a small server for just you and a few friends, a 3.4 GHz or higher processor is recommended. It is important to note that the Rust dedicated server software runs as a single-core application.
As for RAM, if you want to play with a standard size map of three square kilometers and a small group of five to ten players without using too many mods, you can opt for a minimum configuration of 4 to 6 gigabytes for your dedicated server. To host a Rust server capable of accommodating hundreds of players simultaneously, it is recommended to have at least 8 to 16 gigabytes of RAM. Be sure to ask about additional resources needed if you plan to expand or customize your Rust server in the future.
On the disk space side, it is likely that you will need 6 gigabytes for the basic installation of your server. However, to host a server long term, it is advisable to have a minimum storage space of 32 gigabytes, easily accessible using current hardware configurations. The SteamCMD software, also used for other dedicated servers, is technically available for macOS, but problems may arise during installation on the Apple operating system.
Minimum requirements for Windows Server 2016 and Ubuntu
For Windows Server 2016, Microsoft has published the following minimum system requirements:
- Processor: 1.4 GHz
- RAM: 512 MB or 2 GB
- Disk space: 32 GB
For the installation of the famous Linux distribution Ubuntu, the developer Canonical recommends the following minimum values:
- Processor: 2 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB
- Disk space: 25 GB
Upload speed requirements
Upload speed is a key factor to consider when hosting a Rust server. Based on Valve’s published guidelines for Source games like CS:GO, CS:Source, and Apex Legends, that’s 53.4 Kbps per player. Considering the number of players, the prerequisites for a Rust server are as follows:
| Active players on the server | Minimum upload speed |
|---|---|
| 5 | 267 Kbps |
| 50 | 2,670 Kbps |
| 100 | 5,340 Kbps |
As we have just seen, creating a private Rust server gives you the ability to customize and optimize your gaming experience. It is important to take into account the minimum configurations required for CPU, RAM, disk space and upload speed to ensure optimal performance for all players on your server.