DayZ Server Requirements: RAM, CPU and Disk by Players (2026)

A DayZ server needs at least a dual core 2.4 GHz CPU, 6 GB of RAM and Windows or Linux, according to Bohemia Interactive. In practice, plan for 8 GB for vanilla Chernarus with up to 20 players, 12 GB once you add mods like DayZ Expansion, and 16 GB for heavy mod lists, the new Nasdara map or a full 60 players. Fast single core speed and an SSD matter more than core count.

What are the official DayZ server requirements?

Bohemia's DayZ server requirements page lists these minimums:

Treat these as the floor for a server that starts, not one that runs well for a group. They predate Livonia, Sakhal, Nasdara and the large Workshop mod stacks that most community servers run today. The server installs through SteamCMD as app ID 223350, and the download needs a Steam account that owns DayZ.

How much RAM does a DayZ server need?

Memory is what DayZ servers run out of first. The server keeps the whole central economy in memory: every item, vehicle, tent, base part and player on the map. Mods add their own scripts and assets on top. Our recommendations:

Three things push memory up over time:

• Persistence. As players build bases and stash loot, the number of tracked objects grows. A server that ran comfortably at launch can feel tight after a month without a wipe. How to wipe a DayZ server covers clearing persistence.
• Mods. Each Workshop mod adds memory. Expansion with its add ons, trader mods and building packs are among the heavier ones. Our best DayZ server mods list notes which mods cost the most.
• Map size. Nasdara, coming with the Badlands expansion on 15 October 2026, is 267 square kilometres, the largest official DayZ map.

What CPU does a DayZ server need?

A fast modern core beats many slow ones. DayZ's server simulation runs heavily on its main thread, so clock speed and per core performance decide how smooth it feels when the server is busy. multithreadedReplication = 1 in serverDZ.cfg spreads network work across threads, which helps, but does not change the rule.

Signs the CPU is the limit:

• Server FPS drops when many players are online, especially after a restart when everyone logs in at once.
• Desync: zombies teleporting, doors opening late, items taking seconds to pick up.
• Lag that gets worse as bases and vehicles accumulate.

loginQueueConcurrentPlayers (default 5) controls how many players load in at once after a restart, which smooths out that spike. You can turn on logAverageFps with -dologs to see server FPS in the logs. Every setting is explained in serverDZ.cfg explained.

How much disk space does a DayZ server need?

Bohemia's 2.5 GB figure covers a bare install. Plan for much more:

• Server files and maps: several gigabytes, growing with each DLC map.
• Workshop mods: anywhere from a few hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes for a big modpack.
• Logs: DayZ writes RPT, admin and script logs to the profiles folder, and busy servers produce a lot of them. Clean them out regularly.
• Storage and backups: the storage_1 folder in the mission holds bases, vehicles and characters.

An SSD keeps start times and persistence saves short. 30 GB free is a sensible minimum for a modded server, more for a large modpack.

What ports does a DayZ server need?

If the query port is closed, the server runs but does not show in the DayZ Launcher. See DayZ server not showing in launcher. For home hosting, our port forwarding guide covers the router side.

How much bandwidth does a DayZ server need?

Bohemia does not publish a per player figure. DayZ sends a lot of state for each player, so for a home server the upload speed of your connection is often the first real limit, well before 20 players. A hosted server on a data centre connection does not share bandwidth with your household.

How many players can a DayZ server hold?

Up to 60, set by maxPlayers in serverDZ.cfg. Higher values are not supported. Most private and friend servers run well under that, and a group of 5 to 10 is perfectly happy on a vanilla 8 GB server. Size the server for the busiest evening you expect, not the size of your Discord.

Can I host a DayZ server on my gaming PC?

Yes, but it is demanding. The DayZ client and the server both want plenty of RAM, so a 16 GB PC running both is tight even before mods. Your PC also has to stay on whenever anyone plays, and the server needs regular restarts and updates for every patch and mod update. How to make a DayZ server walks through SteamCMD, serverDZ.cfg, mods and keys on your own machine.

FAQ

What is the minimum RAM for a DayZ server?

Bohemia lists 6 GB. For a playable vanilla server with friends, plan for 8 GB, and 12 to 16 GB with mods.

Does a DayZ server need a graphics card?

No. The dedicated server runs without graphics.

Can a DayZ server run on Linux?

Yes. Bohemia supports Linux for the DayZ server alongside Windows.

How much RAM do DayZ mods need?

It depends on the mods, but a typical Community Framework and Expansion stack moves a server from 8 GB to about 12 GB.

How many players can join a DayZ server?

Up to 60. Most friend servers have 5 to 20 players online at once.

The easy option

Our DayZ server hosting plans follow the table above: 8 GB for up to 20 players at 19.99 USD a month, 12 GB for 40 at 29.99 USD and 16 GB for 60 at 39.99 USD. Workshop mods are added by ID, downloaded and updated on every restart with their keys installed, and the map is one setting. Upgrade or downgrade any time as your mod list grows, and new customers get 50% off the first month on monthly plans.