# How Much RAM Does a Modded Minecraft Server Need?

> Small modpacks run on 4–6 GB of RAM, medium packs need 6–10 GB and large packs with 300+ mods need 10–16 GB.

Source: https://www.beaconhosting.org/knowledgebase/modded-minecraft-server-ram
Category: Hosting Guides
Last updated: 2026-10-08

# How Much RAM Does a Modded Minecraft Server Need?

**Short answer:** a small modpack with under 50 mods usually runs on **4–6 GB of RAM**. A medium pack of 100–200 mods needs **6–10 GB**, and large "kitchen sink" packs with 300 or more mods need **10–16 GB**. Start from the server RAM the modpack's author recommends, then add about 1 GB for every 5 players beyond the first few.

## RAM by modpack size

| Modpack | Typical mod count | Server RAM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A few quality-of-life mods | Under 20 | 3–4 GB |
| Small or lightweight pack | 20–50 | 4–6 GB |
| Medium pack | 100–200 | 6–10 GB |
| Large kitchen-sink pack (for example All the Mods) | 300+ | 10–16 GB |
| Large pack with 15+ players | 300+ | 16 GB+ |

The pack's own page on CurseForge or Modrinth often lists a recommended server RAM. Use that as the minimum: pack authors test with their own mod list.

## Why modded servers need so much more RAM

- **Every mod adds content that must stay loaded.** New blocks, items, recipes and entities all live in memory from the moment the server starts. A large pack can use several gigabytes before anyone joins.
- **Modded world generation is heavier.** Packs that add biomes, structures and dimensions make every new chunk more expensive to generate and store.
- **Automation runs all the time.** Machines, pipes and farms in tech mods keep working in loaded chunks, and chunk loaders keep those areas loaded even when no one is nearby.
- **Mod loaders have their own overhead.** Forge and NeoForge use more memory than Fabric for a similar mod list.

## RAM isn't the only bottleneck

Modded servers are often limited by the CPU before they run out of memory. Minecraft runs most of its game logic on a single thread, and large tech bases add a lot of work to every tick. If the server lags while memory still has room to spare, a faster CPU will help far more than extra RAM. See [Minecraft Server CPU: What Actually Matters](/knowledgebase/minecraft-server-cpu).

Storage speed matters too. Large modded worlds read and write a lot of chunk data, so NVMe storage makes a visible difference to chunk loading.

## Signs a modded server needs more RAM

- The server crashes during start-up while loading mods.
- `OutOfMemoryError` appears in the crash report.
- Lag spikes line up with garbage-collection messages in the console.
- Memory use stays close to the limit even with only a few players online.

## How to make a modpack use less memory

- **Pre-generate the world** with a mod such as Chunky so new chunks aren't generated while people play.
- **Lower `simulation-distance`** to 6–8. Machines and farms only run in simulated chunks.
- **Limit chunk loaders** to what players actually need.
- **Add performance mods** if the pack doesn't include them. On Fabric, Lithium and FerriteCore reduce CPU and memory use; ModernFix helps on both Fabric and Forge.
- **Remove mods no one uses.** Every mod costs memory whether or not anyone uses its content.

## Which Beacon plan fits a modded server?

| Modpack | Suggested plan |
| --- | --- |
| Small pack, a few players | Gold (6 GB) |
| Medium pack | Diamond (8 GB) or Amethyst (10 GB) |
| Large pack, small group | Redstone (12 GB) or Quartz (14 GB) |
| Large pack, bigger group | Netherite (16 GB) or Lapis (20 GB) |

Beacon servers run on AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processors with NVMe storage, which suits modded Minecraft's single-thread and chunk-loading load. Modpacks can be installed from the panel. See every plan's specs and current price on the [facts page](/facts), or read [How Much RAM Does a Minecraft Server Need?](/knowledgebase/minecraft-server-ram-requirements) for vanilla and plugin servers.