Hosting a Game Server and Playing on the Same PC: RAM and CPU Split

Yes, you can run a dedicated game server and play on the same PC, as long as you have enough RAM for both and a CPU with spare cores. A rough rule: add the server's RAM needs to the game's (for most survival games, 16 GB total is tight and 32 GB is comfortable), and expect a few percent lower FPS while the server runs. The real pain points are memory pressure, a server thread fighting your game for the fastest cores, and your upload speed, and you can manage all three.

Why run a dedicated server instead of in game hosting

In game hosting (co-op or "host game") makes your game client do the server work too. A separate dedicated server process on the same PC has real advantages:

• The world keeps running when you quit to the menu or restart your game.
• Friends can play when you are not in the game, as long as the PC is on.
• Server settings, mods and backups work like on a real server, so moving to a hosted one later is simple.
• Some games (Valheim, Palworld, Enshrouded) behave better with a dedicated server than with the host's client.

RAM: add both sides together

The server and the game each take their own memory. Windows and background apps take another 3 to 5 GB.

These are ballparks for a few players; mods, map size and player count push them up. Our RAM guide has more detail per game.

What it means for you:

• 16 GB total: fine for Minecraft vanilla, Valheim or Terraria with a small group. Tight for Palworld, Project Zomboid modded or ARK.
• 32 GB total: comfortable for most survival games with a server and client running side by side.
• 64 GB: needed if you run ARK Ascended or a big modpack and play on the same machine.

When RAM runs out, Windows pushes memory to disk and both the game and server stutter badly. Watch Task Manager, Performance, Memory: if "In use" sits above 90%, you need more RAM or a lighter setup.

For Minecraft, set the server's max memory with -Xmx so it does not grab everything. For example -Xmx4G caps it at 4 GB.

CPU: one fast thread matters most

Most game servers do their main simulation on one thread. Your game also leans on one or two fast threads. When both land on the same busy cores, you get frame drops and server lag at the same moment.

What helps:

• Six or more cores. On a 6 core / 12 thread CPU or better, the server and game usually coexist fine. On a 4 core CPU you will feel it in CPU heavy games.
• Set the server to Below Normal priority. In Task Manager, Details tab, right click the server process, Set priority, Below normal. Your game gets the CPU first, the server takes what is left. Fine for small co-op groups.
• Or use CPU affinity. On a CPU with many cores, right click the server process, Set affinity, and give it a few cores your game does not need. On Intel chips with performance and efficiency cores, keep the server off the E-cores if it has a busy main thread, or it will lag.
• Close the overlay pile. Browser tabs, RGB software and launchers all compete for the same cores.

Background on why clock speed matters more than core count: best CPU for a game server.

Disk and GPU

The server barely uses your GPU (dedicated servers run headless), so graphics settings are not affected. Disk matters when the server saves: on a hard drive, a big autosave can cause a hitch in your game too. Put both on an SSD if you can.

Network: your upload is shared

Your upload connection now carries the server traffic for every friend plus your own game traffic. Your own connection to the server is local, so it costs no internet bandwidth. Each friend needs steady upload from you; see upload speed needed for a game server. If someone in the house starts a large upload (cloud backup, streaming), everyone's ping can spike.

Practical setup checklist

1. Run the dedicated server as its own process, not from inside your game client.
2. Cap its memory where the game allows (Minecraft -Xmx, Java based mods).
3. Set the server to Below normal priority while you play.
4. Join your own server with 127.0.0.1 or your local IP, not your public IP.
5. Give friends your public IP and keep the port forward and firewall rules in place (how to port forward a game server).
6. Disable sleep so the PC does not shut the server down when you step away; see stop Windows sleeping and restarting while hosting.

When it stops being worth it

The same PC setup works well for two to six friends who play together. It starts to hurt when:

• Friends want to play while you are offline, so the PC must stay on all day.
• The world is heavy (ARK, modded Minecraft, late game Palworld) and your FPS drops noticeably.
• Your upload cannot keep up with more players.
• You want to turn the PC off at night.

Move the server off your PC

Once your game and the server fight for the same machine, putting the server on its own hardware fixes all of it at once. A GamezServers plan gives the server its own RAM (plans are priced by RAM, about 2.50 USD per GB a month) and keeps it online when your PC is off. You can upload your existing world through the file manager or SFTP; see how to move your world to a hosted server. Start with Palworld hosting or the games page.

FAQ

Does hosting a server lower my FPS?

A little, usually a few percent, more on CPUs with fewer cores or when RAM runs low. Setting the server to below normal priority helps.

Is 16 GB of RAM enough to host and play?

For light games like vanilla Minecraft, Valheim or Terraria with a few friends, yes. For Palworld, ARK or modpacks, 32 GB is the safer amount.

Should I join my own server with localhost or my public IP?

Use localhost or your local IP. Joining with your public IP from inside your house often fails because of NAT loopback, and it adds nothing.

Can my friends play when I am not in the game?

Yes, with a dedicated server process, as long as the PC stays on and awake.