GT New Horizons isn’t your typical Minecraft modpack—it’s a 2,500-hour beast that’ll push both your patience and your server to the absolute limit. If you’re planning to host this monstrosity, you need to know exactly what you’re getting into hardware-wise.
Minimum Server Requirements for GT New Horizons
GT New Horizons (GTNH) demands significantly more resources than vanilla Minecraft or lighter modpacks. At minimum, you’re looking at 6-8GB of allocated RAM just to get the server running without constant crashes. That’s your baseline for 1-3 players doing early-game content.
Here’s what you need to run a stable GTNH server: a modern multi-core processor (Intel i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 minimum), at least 10GB total system RAM (8GB for the server, 2GB for the OS), and a solid-state drive with 15GB of free space for the modpack files and world data.
RAM Requirements: The Real Numbers
Let’s talk about memory allocation because this is where most GTNH servers die. The modpack contains over 280 mods with complex interactions, massive tech trees, and world generation that’ll eat RAM for breakfast.
Player Count and RAM Scaling
- 1-3 players: 8GB allocated RAM (10GB total system)
- 4-6 players: 10-12GB allocated RAM (14GB total system)
- 7-10 players: 14-16GB allocated RAM (18GB total system)
- 10+ players: 18GB+ allocated RAM (22GB+ total system)
These numbers assume moderate automation. Once players hit mid-game and start building massive processing arrays with GregTech machines, add another 2-4GB to these estimates. Late-game bases with thousands of machines running simultaneously? You’re looking at 20GB+ easy.
Why GTNH Needs So Much Memory
The modpack’s complexity comes from mods like GregTech, Thaumcraft, Galacticraft, and dozens of others all running simultaneously. Each machine, multiblock structure, and automated system keeps data in memory. The world generation alone loads hundreds of new block types, ores, and structures that vanilla Minecraft never dreamed of.
CPU Performance Matters More Than You Think
RAM gets all the attention, but your processor determines whether your server runs smoothly or stutters every time someone opens their AE2 terminal. GTNH is heavily tick-dependent, meaning single-core performance matters more than core count.
You want a CPU with high clock speeds—at least 3.5GHz base, preferably 4.0GHz+. The server primarily uses one or two cores for the main game thread, so a 16-core server CPU won’t help if each core runs at 2.4GHz. A 6-core gaming processor with better single-thread performance will outperform it every time.
Recommended Processors
Budget tier: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel i5-10400. These handle small to medium servers (up to 6 players) without breaking a sweat. Mid-range: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or Intel i7-11700K for larger communities. High-end: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or Intel i9-12900K if you’re running 10+ players with massive automation.
Need reliable hosting that can handle GTNH’s demands? GameTeam.io offers optimized Minecraft server hosting starting at $1/GB, with configurations specifically tested for heavy modpacks.
Storage and I/O Requirements
Don’t even think about running GTNH on a mechanical hard drive. The constant read/write operations from world generation, chunk loading, and machine operations will cripple performance. An SSD is mandatory, and an NVMe drive is highly recommended for servers with 5+ players.
Storage space grows fast. Start with 20GB minimum, but expect your world to balloon to 30-50GB after a few months of active play. The modpack itself takes 12-15GB, and world saves grow as players explore and build. Budget 50-75GB total if you want room for backups (which you absolutely need).
Network and Bandwidth Considerations
GTNH sends more data packets than vanilla Minecraft due to all the additional block updates, machine states, and mod content. A stable connection with at least 5Mbps upload speed handles most small servers. For 10+ players, bump that to 10Mbps upload minimum.
Latency matters more than raw bandwidth. Players connecting with 150ms+ ping will struggle with the modpack’s complexity, especially when interacting with fast-paced machinery or combat situations.
Java Version and JVM Arguments
GTNH runs on Java 8—don’t try upgrading to Java 17 or newer versions. The modpack isn’t compatible, and you’ll face crashes. Use Java 8 Update 311 or later for the best stability and security patches.
Optimized JVM Arguments
Default Java settings won’t cut it. Use these arguments for better garbage collection and memory management:
-Xms8G -Xmx8G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:+DisableExplicitGC -XX:G1NewSizePercent=30 -XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=40 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=8M -XX:G1ReservePercent=20 -XX:G1HeapWastePercent=5
Adjust the Xms and Xmx values to match your allocated RAM. Keep them equal to prevent memory reallocation during runtime, which causes lag spikes.
Server Performance Optimization Tips
Even with proper hardware, GTNH needs optimization to run smoothly. Install server-side performance mods that don’t affect gameplay but improve tick performance. Mods like FoamFix and BetterFPS are often included, but verify they’re enabled in your server config.
Chunk Loading Management
Unlimited chunk loaders destroy server performance. Set reasonable limits—most servers cap chunk loading at 25-50 chunks per player. Use the FTB Utilities mod to manage this. Players don’t need their entire base loaded 24/7; strategic chunk loader placement handles automation without killing TPS.
Entity and Tile Entity Limits
Late-game GTNH bases spawn thousands of tile entities (machines, pipes, cables). Monitor your server’s tile entity count and investigate areas with excessive numbers. Sometimes a single poorly designed automation setup creates more lag than the rest of the server combined.
Backup Strategy for GTNH Servers
With hundreds of hours invested in progression, losing a GTNH world is devastating. Implement automated backups every 6-12 hours minimum. Keep at least three rolling backups, and store one off-server in case of hardware failure.
World corruption happens, especially during server crashes. The complex mod interactions occasionally write corrupted chunk data. Having recent backups means losing hours instead of months of progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run GT New Horizons on 4GB of RAM?
No. The server won’t even start properly with 4GB allocated. You’ll face constant out-of-memory crashes. 6GB is the absolute minimum for a solo player, and even that’s pushing it. Budget for 8GB minimum if you want stable gameplay.
How much does it cost to host a GTNH server?
Expect to pay $15-40 monthly depending on your host and player count. Budget hosting with 8GB RAM runs $15-20, while 16GB configurations for larger servers cost $30-40. GameTeam.io offers 20% off for new customers, making it more affordable to run demanding modpacks like GTNH.
Why does my GTNH server lag with good hardware?
Usually it’s not the hardware—it’s player bases with poor optimization. Thousands of item pipes, excessive chunk loaders, or mob farms with hundreds of entities kill performance. Use server profiling tools like LagGoggles to identify the problem areas.
Can I upgrade my server RAM while the world is running?
You need to stop the server, modify the JVM arguments with new memory values, then restart. The world data itself doesn’t need changes. Just update your startup script with the new Xms and Xmx values matching your new RAM allocation.
What happens if I don’t meet the minimum requirements?
You’ll experience constant lag, frequent crashes, and potential world corruption. The server might run for a few hours before crashing, or struggle to keep 20 TPS even with one player. Don’t waste time on underpowered hardware—GTNH won’t magically run better than its requirements suggest.
GT New Horizons pushes Minecraft to its absolute limits, and your server needs serious hardware to keep up. Plan for higher specs than you think you need, implement proper optimization, and maintain regular backups. Your players will thank you when they’re 1,000 hours into progression without a single corrupted world.
