Your ARK Survival Ascended server: installation and setup on a VPS/dedicated server

To set up your own ARK Survival Ascended server on a VPS or dedicated server, you will need a machine with at least 8 GB RAM, 4 vCPU (preferably with a high clock speed), and a fast NVMe drive for comfortable gameplay for 10-15 people. The installation is done via SteamCMD, followed by fine-tuning ports and configuration files.

ARK Survival Ascended (ASA) is not just a remaster of the popular ARK: Survival Evolved, but a complete overhaul on the Unreal Engine 5 with improved graphics, physics, and new features. This game, like its predecessor, is known for its resource demands, especially when it comes to a dedicated server. If you're tired of lag, official server limitations, or want to create a unique game world for yourself and your friends, your own ARK Survival Ascended server is the optimal solution. In this article, we will detail how to deploy and configure an ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server on a rented VPS or dedicated server to ensure maximum comfort and performance.

Why You Should Get Your Own ARK Survival Ascended Server?

Running your own ARK Survival Ascended server opens up a whole range of advantages for players and administrators that are unavailable on official or public servers. It's not just a matter of convenience, but also the ability to have complete control over the gameplay.

Complete Control and Game Customization

On your own server, you become the full owner of the game world. This means:

• Game Rule Customization: You can change resource gathering rates, experience multipliers, dinosaur taming and breeding speeds, building limits, day/night cycles, and many other parameters to create the perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment for your team.
• Mod Management: ASA is actively developed by the modding community, and hosting ARK Survival Ascended on your own server allows you to install any mods from CurseForge without restrictions, adding new maps, dinosaurs, items, mechanics, and enhancing the gameplay experience. You decide which modifications will be active and can experiment with their combinations.
• Administration: You get access to a full set of administrative commands, allowing you to teleport players, spawn items or creatures, restore lost property, ban offenders, and resolve any in-game issues without waiting for support.
• Your Own Community: Creating your own server allows you to form a friendly and cohesive community of players, free from the toxicity and griefing often found on public servers. You set the rules of conduct and enforce them.

Stability, Performance, and Security

Players often encounter performance issues on official servers: lag, low FPS, crashes. Your own ARK Survival Ascended server on a VPS or dedicated server offers significantly better stability:

• High Performance: The dedicated resources of your VPS or dedicated server ensure that the server will run stably, without FPS drops or delays, even with a large number of players and structures. You won't have to share resources with hundreds of other users, as on public hosts.
• Low Ping: By hosting the server in a location geographically close to your players, you significantly reduce latency (ping), which is critical for comfortable gameplay in the dynamic world of ARK.
• Reliability and Uptime: VPS/dedicated server providers, such as Valebyte.com, ensure high uptime for their servers, guaranteeing constant availability of your game world. You control server updates and restarts, minimizing downtime.
• Backup: You are fully responsible for your data and can set up regular backups of the game world to ensure the safety of your progress in unforeseen situations.
• DDoS Protection: Many dedicated server providers offer built-in DDoS protection, which is critically important for game servers that are often targets of attacks.

Ultimately, your own ARK Survival Ascended server is an investment in a comfortable and personalized gaming experience that you can share with friends, with complete control over every aspect of the ARK world.

What are the Hardware Requirements for an ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server?

ARK Survival Ascended, being on Unreal Engine 5, is significantly more demanding on server resources than its predecessor. Choosing the right hardware for an ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server is critically important for ensuring stable and comfortable gameplay.

CPU: The Core Matters

The ARK Survival Ascended server actively utilizes single-thread CPU performance, although multi-core processing is also important for handling overall load and operating system background processes. The higher the clock speed of a single core, the better the server will perform.

• Minimum Requirements: 4 cores with a clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher. This will suffice for a small server for 5-10 players without many mods.
• Recommended Requirements: 6-8 cores with a clock speed of 3.5 GHz or higher. Latest generation Intel Xeon E3/E5, Intel Core i7/i9, or AMD Ryzen 7/9 processors provide excellent performance. It's important that the provider uses up-to-date hardware, not outdated CPU generations.
• Key Factor: High single-thread performance. ARK is still not fully optimized to efficiently use all cores, so "fast" cores are more important than a large number of them.

RAM: Memory for the World and Players

ARK: SA consumes a significant amount of RAM, especially when loading the map, a large number of structures, and active players. Each player and each tamed dinosaur increases RAM consumption.

• Minimum Requirements: 8 GB RAM. This might be enough for a server with 5-8 players, but with many mods or activities, you'll quickly hit the limit.
• Recommended Requirements: 16 GB RAM for a server with 10-20 players. If you plan a large server (20+ players) with many mods and a map cluster, consider 32 GB RAM or even more.
• Important: Make sure the server does not actively use a swap file, as this will significantly slow down performance. RAM should be sufficient for all needs.

Disk: Load and Save Speed

The type and speed of the disk play a huge role in the performance of an ARK Survival Ascended server. The ARK world constantly loads and saves data, and also loads assets as players move around.

• Critical: NVMe SSD. This is not a recommendation, but practically a requirement. Traditional HDDs or even SATA SSDs will significantly slow down world loading, progress saving, and overall server responsiveness.
• Disk Space:
  • A basic ARK: SA server installation takes about 150-200 GB.
  • Each additional map (DLC) adds 50 to 100 GB.
  • Mods, saves, and server logs also take up space.
• Recommended Space: A minimum of 300-500 GB NVMe SSD for a single server with one map and room for mods and saves. For a cluster of multiple maps, 1 TB NVMe SSD or more will be required.

Network: Bandwidth and Stability

A stable and high-speed network connection is essential for comfortable, lag-free gameplay.

• Bandwidth: A minimum of 100 Mbps symmetrical channel, but 1 Gbps is standard for most modern VPS/dedicated servers and highly recommended.
• Stability: Low packet loss and minimal jitter. Choose a provider with reliable network infrastructure and good connectivity to your target audience.
• DDoS Protection: For game servers, this is not a luxury but a necessity. Make sure your provider offers adequate protection against DDoS attacks. Valebyte.com provides such protection on all its servers.

In summary, for a comfortable launch of an ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server for 10-20 players, you should aim for plans with 6-8 vCPU (with high clock speed), 16-32 GB RAM, and 500 GB - 1 TB NVMe SSD.

Preparing Your VPS or Dedicated Server for ARK: SA Installation

Before proceeding with the installation of the ARK Survival Ascended server itself, you need to properly prepare the operating system of your VPS or dedicated server. This will ensure stability, security, and optimal performance.

Choosing an Operating System

For ARK Survival Ascended game servers, it is recommended to use Linux, specifically Debian-based distributions such as Ubuntu Server LTS (Long Term Support). Reasons:

• Efficiency: Linux consumes fewer system resources (RAM, CPU) compared to Windows Server, leaving more resources for the game itself.
• Stability: Linux systems are known for their reliability and long uptime without reboots.
• Security: Less susceptible to virus attacks and has advanced security features.
• Cost: Linux is free, while Windows Server requires a license, which increases the total cost of server rental.

For this guide, we will use Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS, as it is the most common and supported option.

System Update and Dependency Installation

After deploying a fresh OS on your VPS or dedicated server, the first step is to update all packages and install the necessary dependencies.

1. Connect to the server via SSH:

   ssh username@your_server_ip

   Replace username with your username (usually root or provided by the hosting provider), and your_server_ip with your server's IP address.

2. Update package lists and installed packages:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

   This command will update the information about available packages and install all available updates for your system.

3. Install necessary packages and libraries:

   ARK Survival Ascended, being on Unreal Engine 5, requires certain 32-bit libraries for the server component to function correctly, even on a 64-bit Linux system. Utilities for file management and sessions are also needed.

   sudo apt install -y steamcmd lib32gcc-s1 libsdl2-2.0-0:i386 screen nano wget curl

   • steamcmd: A utility for installing and updating Steam game servers.
   • lib32gcc-s1, libsdl2-2.0-0:i386: 32-bit libraries required to run the server application.
   • screen: A program for creating persistent terminal sessions, allowing the server to run in the background even after disconnecting SSH.
   • nano: A simple text editor for editing configuration files.
   • wget, curl: Utilities for downloading files from the internet.

4. Create a separate user for the server (recommended):

   Running the game server as the root user is not recommended for security reasons. Create a new user, for example, arkserver:

   sudo adduser arkserver
   sudo usermod -aG sudo arkserver # Optional, if you need to grant it sudo privileges

   Then switch to this user:

   su - arkserver

   All further actions for server installation and startup will be performed as this user.

Your server is now ready to install ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server files. For monitoring the status of your server and other services running on your VPS, you might consider installing a tool like Dashy on VPS: Installation, Configuration, and Maintenance, which provides a convenient centralized dashboard.

How to Install an ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server via SteamCMD?

Installing an ARK Survival Ascended game server on a Linux VPS or dedicated server is done using SteamCMD – a command-line utility from Valve designed for installing and updating Steam game server files. The process is similar to installing other game servers, such as Palworld or Valheim.

SteamCMD Installation

If you followed the previous section, SteamCMD is already installed. If not, execute:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y steamcmd

After installing SteamCMD, switch to the arkserver user (if you created one):

su - arkserver

Create a directory for SteamCMD and navigate into it. If you installed SteamCMD via apt, it's already available in PATH, but it's better to create a separate folder for game files:

mkdir -p ~/Steam/asa
cd ~/Steam/asa

Downloading ARK: SA Server Files

Now we will use SteamCMD to download the ARK Survival Ascended server files. This requires the game's Application ID (App ID), which for ARK Survival Ascended is 2430930.

1. Launch SteamCMD:

   steamcmd

   You will see the Steam> prompt.

2. Log in anonymously:

   login anonymous

   SteamCMD will connect to Steam servers without requiring credentials.

3. Specify the server installation directory:

   force_install_dir /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended/

   This command tells SteamCMD where to install the server files. Ensure that the arkserver user has write permissions to this directory.

4. Download server files:

   app_update 2430930 validate

   • 2430930: App ID for ARK Survival Ascended Dedicated Server.
   • validate: Verifies file integrity after download.

   This process will take a significant amount of time, as the game size is hundreds of gigabytes. Download speed will depend on your internet connection's bandwidth.

5. Exit SteamCMD:

   quit

After the download is complete, all ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server files will be located in the /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended/ directory. Now you can proceed to configure and launch the server for the first time.

Configuring and Launching the ARK Survival Ascended Server: Configs and Ports

After installing the server files, the next step is to configure and launch it. This includes editing configuration files and opening the necessary ports in the firewall.

Main Configuration Files

ARK Survival Ascended server settings are stored in several .ini files located at:

/home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/

The two main files you will edit are:

• GameUserSettings.ini: Contains core server settings such as server name, password, administrator settings, experience multipliers, gathering rates, taming speeds, etc.
• Game.ini: Contains more advanced game settings such as dinosaur spawn parameters, engram settings, building limits, and other fine-tuning gameplay settings.

Example GameUserSettings.ini (create or edit):

nano /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini

Add or modify the following sections:

[ServerSettings]
ServerPassword=YourSecurePassword
ServerAdminPassword=YourAdminPassword
MaxPlayers=10
ServerName=My Awesome ARK ASA Server by Valebyte
PreventDownloadSurvivors=False
PreventDownloadItems=False
PreventDownloadDinos=False
ShowMapPlayerLocation=True
CrossARKAllowForeignDinoDownloads=True
RCONEnabled=True
RCONPort=27020

[SessionSettings]
SessionName=My Awesome ARK ASA Server by Valebyte

[MultiHome]
MultiHome=your_server_ip # Replace with your server's IP address

[MessageOfTheDay]
Message=Welcome to our server!
Duration=10

[ModManager]
ModIDs= # Mod IDs will go here, separated by commas

[ScalabilityGroups]
sg.ResolutionQuality=100
sg.ViewDistanceQuality=3
sg.AntiAliasingQuality=3
sg.ShadowQuality=3
sg.PostProcessQuality=3
sg.TextureQuality=3
sg.EffectsQuality=3
sg.FoliageQuality=3
sg.GroundClutterQuality=3
sg.TrueSkyQuality=3
sg.VolumetricsQuality=3
sg.WaterQuality=3

Key parameters:

• ServerPassword: Password to join the server. Leave blank if you want a public server.
• ServerAdminPassword: Administrator password for using console commands in-game.
• MaxPlayers: Maximum number of players.
• ServerName: Your server's name, which will be displayed in the list.
• MultiHome: It's important to specify your server's external IP address if you have multiple network interfaces or discovery issues.
• RCONEnabled=True and RCONPort=27020: Enables RCON for remote server management.
• ModIDs: A comma-separated list of mod IDs you want to install.

For more detailed game parameter settings, such as experience or gathering multipliers, you can add them to the [ServerSettings] section in GameUserSettings.ini or create/edit Game.ini. For example:

[ServerSettings]
XPMultiplier=2.0
HarvestAmountMultiplier=3.0
TamingSpeedMultiplier=5.0
DinoDamageMultiplier=1.5
PlayerDamageMultiplier=1.0
DinoResistanceMultiplier=0.8
PlayerResistanceMultiplier=1.0

Save changes (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X in nano).

For convenient editing of configuration files directly on the server, especially if you prefer a graphical interface, you can set up code-server on VPS: Installation, Configuration, and Maintenance, which will provide you with VS Code in your browser.

Opening Ports and Firewall Rules

The ARK Survival Ascended server uses several ports for communication with clients and Steam services. These must be opened in your server's firewall.

• UDP 7777: Main game port.
• UDP 7778: Additional game port, used for some functions.
• UDP 27015: Steam Query Port. Used to display the server in the game list.
• UDP 27020: RCON (Remote Console) port, if you enabled RCON for remote management.

Use UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) to configure rules:

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 7778/udp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw allow 27020/udp
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw status

Ensure that your hosting provider also does not block these ports at their network level. At Valebyte.com, all necessary ports for game servers are usually open by default or easily configurable through the control panel.

First Server Launch

To launch the ARK Survival Ascended server, use the screen command so that the server continues to run even after disconnecting the SSH session.

1. Navigate to the server executable directory:

   cd /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/

2. Create a new screen session:

   screen -S arkserver

   You are now inside a new screen session.

3. Launch the ARK Survival Ascended server:

   The launch command can be quite long, as it includes map parameters and other settings. For The Island map:

   ./ShooterGameServer TheIsland_WP?listen?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?RCONPort=27020?MaxPlayers=10?ServerPassword=YourSecurePassword?ServerAdminPassword=YourAdminPassword?SessionName="My Awesome ARK ASA Server by Valebyte" -WinLiveMaxPlayers=10 -UseBattlEye -server -log

   Important parameters:

   • TheIsland_WP: The name of the map you want to load. For other maps, use their names (e.g., Svartalfheim_WP for Svartalfheim).
   • ?listen: Indicates that the server should listen for incoming connections.
   • Port=7777, QueryPort=27015, RCONPort=27020: Specify the ports used.
   • MaxPlayers, ServerPassword, ServerAdminPassword, SessionName: Parameters that can also be set in GameUserSettings.ini. Command-line parameters take precedence.
   • -WinLiveMaxPlayers=10: Specifies the maximum number of players for the Xbox/Windows Store version (although this is a Linux server, the parameter is sometimes required).
   • -UseBattlEye: Enables BattlEye anti-cheat (highly recommended).
   • -server: Indicates that this is a dedicated server.
   • -log: Enables server logging, useful for debugging.

   The server will start loading. This process may take several minutes.

4. Detach from the screen session:

   Press Ctrl+A, then D. The server will continue to run in the background.

5. To reattach to the screen session:

   screen -r arkserver

6. To stop the server:

   Attach to the session screen -r arkserver and press Ctrl+C. Then confirm server shutdown if prompted.

After a successful launch, your ARK Survival Ascended server should be visible in the unofficial server list in the game. Players can connect to it using your VPS's IP address and password (if set).

Managing Mods, Updates, and Clusters on Your ARK Survival Ascended Server

Keeping your ARK Survival Ascended server up-to-date, adding mods, and potentially creating a cluster of multiple maps are important aspects of administration. Your own ARK Survival Ascended server gives you full control over these processes.

Installing and Managing Mods

Mods significantly expand the capabilities of ARK Survival Ascended, adding new content and improving the gameplay experience. ASA uses the CurseForge platform for mods.

1. Find the Mod ID: Go to the mod's page on CurseForge. The mod ID is usually found in the page's URL (e.g., curseforge.com/ark-survival-ascended/mods/12345, where 12345 is the ID).

2. Add the Mod ID to GameUserSettings.ini: Open the GameUserSettings.ini file (path: /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended/ShooterGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini) and find the [ModManager] section. Add ModIDs separated by commas:

   [ModManager]
   ModIDs=12345,67890,11223

   If the section doesn't exist, create it.

3. Launch/Restart the server: Upon startup, the server will automatically download and install the specified mods. If the server is already running, it needs to be restarted.

4. Verify Mods: Ensure that the mods have loaded by checking the server logs or connecting to the game.

Important: All mods must be compatible with the current server version. Incompatible mods can cause crashes or performance issues. Regularly check mod pages on CurseForge for updates and compatibility.

Server Updates

The developers of ARK Survival Ascended regularly release patches and updates. To keep your server current and accessible to players, it needs to be updated regularly.

1. Stop the server: Connect to the screen -r arkserver session and press Ctrl+C to stop the server.

2. Navigate to the SteamCMD directory:

   cd ~/Steam/asa

3. Launch SteamCMD and update the server:

   steamcmd
   login anonymous
   force_install_dir /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended/
   app_update 2430930 validate
   quit

   The app_update 2430930 validate command will check for updates and download them.

4. Restart the server: After updating, launch the server as described in the previous section.

It is recommended to set up automatic server updates using a script and the cron scheduler to minimize manual intervention and ensure the server's currency.

Configuring Server Clusters

An ARK Survival Ascended server cluster allows players to transfer between different maps (e.g., The Island, Svartalfheim) with their characters, dinosaurs, and items. This requires running multiple servers, each configured for its own map, but unified into a single cluster.

To create a cluster:

1. For each server: Repeat the installation process for each map, but install them into different directories (e.g., /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended_TheIsland/, /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended_Svartalfheim/).

2. Unique Cluster ID: In GameUserSettings.ini for each server, add the same line to the [ServerSettings] section:

   ClusterID=MyARKCluster

   MyARKCluster is the unique identifier for your cluster. All servers with the same ClusterID will be part of the same cluster.

3. Unique Ports: Each server in the cluster must use unique ports. For example:

   • Server 1 (The Island): Port=7777, QueryPort=27015, RCONPort=27020
   • Server 2 (Svartalfheim): Port=7779, QueryPort=27016, RCONPort=27021

   Don't forget to open all these ports in the firewall.

4. Launching Servers: Each server is launched with a separate command in its own screen session with the corresponding map and port parameters. For example:

   screen -S arkserver_island
   cd /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended_TheIsland/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/
   ./ShooterGameServer TheIsland_WP?listen?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?RCONPort=27020 ... -server -log
   
   screen -S arkserver_svartalfheim
   cd /home/arkserver/ARK_Survival_Ascended_Svartalfheim/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/
   ./ShooterGameServer Svartalfheim_WP?listen?Port=7779?QueryPort=27016?RCONPort=27021 ... -server -log

Clusters significantly increase server resource requirements, especially for RAM and CPU. Ensure that your VPS or dedicated server can handle the load from multiple concurrently running ARK Survival Ascended instances. For monitoring logs and debugging multiple servers, a tool like Dozzle on VPS: Installation, Configuration, and Maintenance can be useful.

Protecting Your ARK Survival Ascended Server from DDoS Attacks and Security

Game servers, especially popular ones, often become targets for DDoS attacks. Ensuring the security of your ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server is a critically important task for maintaining its availability and stability.

Basic Security Measures

Start with the basics that apply to any server:

1. Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for SSH access, the arkserver user, and the in-game administrative password. Never use default passwords.

2. SSH Keys: Configure SSH key authentication instead of passwords. This significantly enhances SSH access security.

3. Change SSH Port: Change the standard SSH port (22) to another, less obvious port. This will reduce the number of automated password brute-force attempts.

   sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

   Find the line #Port 22, uncomment it, and change 22 to, for example, 2222. Then restart the SSH service:

   sudo systemctl restart sshd

   Don't forget to open the new port in UFW: sudo ufw allow 2222/tcp.

4. Restrict UFW Access: Open only the ports that are truly necessary for the ARK Survival Ascended server to function (7777, 7778, 27015, 27020 UDP). Deny all other incoming connections by default.

   sudo ufw default deny incoming
   sudo ufw default allow outgoing

5. Separate User: Run the ARK server as an unprivileged user (e.g., arkserver), not as root. This minimizes potential damage in case of server compromise.

6. Regular OS Updates: Keep the operating system up-to-date by regularly running sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y.

7. Backups: Set up regular backups of game data. This includes save files (the Saved folder in the server directory) and configuration files. You can use rsync or cloud storage.

Provider-Level DDoS Protection

The most effective protection against powerful DDoS attacks is provided at the hosting provider's network infrastructure level. DDoS attacks can be very complex and have various vectors (UDP flood, SYN flood, ICMP flood, etc.).

• Specialized Solutions: Choose a provider that offers built-in or optional DDoS protection for game servers. Such solutions typically include specialized hardware and software for traffic filtering, capable of recognizing and blocking malicious packets while allowing legitimate game traffic.
• Automatic Detection and Response: Good DDoS protection should automatically detect an attack and respond to it in real-time, minimizing server downtime.
• Channel Capacity: Ensure that the provider's communication channel is wide enough to absorb large volumes of traffic during an attack.

Valebyte.com provides reliable DDoS protection on its VPS and dedicated servers, which is one of the key advantages for hosting ARK Survival Ascended. This relieves you of the burden of independently combating complex attacks.

Additional Tools and Recommendations

• Fail2Ban: Install Fail2Ban to automatically block IP addresses that make multiple failed SSH login attempts. This will protect against brute-force attacks.

  sudo apt install fail2ban
  sudo systemctl enable fail2ban
  sudo systemctl start fail2ban

• Resource Monitoring: Regularly monitor your server's CPU, RAM, and network usage. This will help identify anomalies related to both attacks and server performance issues. Tools like htop, glances, or even specialized dashboards like Dashy can be very useful.

• In-Game Protection Methods: In-game, you can use a Whitelist to allow only specific users to connect to the server. This won't protect against DDoS, but it will prevent unwanted connections and griefing.

Applying these measures will significantly enhance the security of your own ARK Survival Ascended server and ensure stable gameplay for you and your players, similar to how it's done for other game projects like Valheim.

Choosing the Optimal VPS/Dedicated Server Configuration for Your ARK Survival Ascended Server

Choosing the right VPS or dedicated server for an ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server is a balance between performance, stability, and cost. Requirements heavily depend on the planned number of players, installed mods, and maps.

Factors Influencing Choice

1. Number of Players: The primary factor. The more players, the more CPU and RAM are required. Each player, their inventory, dinosaurs, and structures increase the load.

2. Number of Mods: Mods can significantly increase RAM and CPU consumption, and also slow down world loading, especially if they are poorly optimized.

3. Map Type: Some maps are more resource-intensive than others due to size, detail, or terrain features.

4. Server Cluster: If you plan a cluster of multiple maps, you will need significantly more resources than for a single server.

5. CPU Clock Speed: For ARK, a high single-core clock speed is critical. Modern processors with a frequency of 3.5 GHz and higher will perform better than older or lower-frequency ones, even if they have more cores.

6. NVMe SSD: This is not just a recommendation, but a necessity for ARK: SA. The read/write speed of NVMe drives significantly reduces loading times and prevents "freezes" when loading world chunks.

Table of Recommended Configurations

Below is a table with recommendations for VPS or dedicated server configurations for ARK Survival Ascended hosting, depending on the planned number of players. The prices listed are approximate for Valebyte.com offers and may vary.

Number of Players	CPU (cores/frequency)	RAM (GB)	Disk (GB, type)	Network	Approximate VPS/Dedicated Server Cost (Valebyte, $/month)	Recommendations
5-8 Players (Light)	4 vCPU (from 3.0 GHz)	8 GB	250 GB NVMe SSD	100 Mbps - 1 Gbps	from $15	For a small circle of friends, without many mods. Rare freezes may occur during full world loading.
10-15 Players (Standard)	6 vCPU (from 3.5 GHz)	16 GB	500 GB NVMe SSD	1 Gbps	from $25	Optimal balance of performance and cost. Allows for a moderate number of mods.
15-25 Players (Advanced)	8 vCPU (from 3.8 GHz, preferably with high single-thread performance)	32 GB	800 GB - 1 TB NVMe SSD	1 Gbps	from $40	For active communities with many mods. Ensures smooth gameplay.
25-50+ Players (Pro/Cluster)	Dedicated server: Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 (4.0+ GHz)	64 GB+	1 TB+ NVMe SSD (RAID10 recommended)	1 Gbps+	from $80	For a cluster of multiple maps or a very large server. Requires maximum CPU and RAM performance.

When choosing a tariff plan, always pay attention to the following details from the provider:

• Processor Type: Clarify the CPU model to assess its single-thread performance.
• Disk Type: Ensure it is indeed an NVMe SSD, not a SATA SSD or, even worse, an HDD.
• Connection Channel: Symmetrical 1 Gbps channel with good connectivity.
• DDoS Protection: Adequate DDoS protection for game servers is mandatory.
• Data Center Location: Choose a data center located geographically close to most of your players to minimize ping.

Starting with a smaller plan, you can always scale your VPS resources as your server's needs grow. Valebyte.com offers flexible tariff plans that allow you to easily upgrade your server configuration without reinstalling the OS.

Conclusion

Running your own ARK Survival Ascended dedicated server on a VPS or dedicated server is the best way to gain full control over the gameplay, ensure stability, and maximize performance for yourself and your friends. For comfortable ARK Survival Ascended hosting, we recommend choosing plans with at least 8 GB RAM, 4 vCPU with a high clock speed, and mandatory use of NVMe drives.

Valebyte.com offers reliable VPS and dedicated servers with powerful processors, fast NVMe drives, and built-in DDoS protection, making them an ideal choice for your own ARK Survival Ascended server. Start with a basic configuration and scale resources as your community grows to always ensure an optimal gaming experience.