Running an ARK Survival Evolved server can be an immensely rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining optimal server speed and minimizing lag. Whether you’re hosting a small server for friends or managing a large community, ensuring a smooth gaming experience is crucial for player satisfaction. This guide will walk you through various strategies to optimize your ARK server, covering hardware upgrades, network configuration, in-game settings adjustments, and regular maintenance routines.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right hardware and balancing CPU and RAM usage are essential for optimal server performance.
- Proper network configuration, including bandwidth optimization and latency reduction, can significantly improve server speed.
- Regular maintenance and monitoring are crucial for sustaining server performance and preventing potential issues.
Server Hardware Optimization
Optimizing your server hardware is crucial for ensuring smooth gameplay in ARK Survival Evolved. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Selecting the Right Hardware
When it comes to selecting the right hardware, CPU performance is paramount. ARK Survival Evolved benefits more from higher clock speeds rather than multiple cores. For instance, moving from 1 to 2 cores can give you a 50% performance boost, but going from 2 to 4 cores only adds about 10%. Therefore, investing in a high-speed CPU with fewer cores can be more beneficial than a multi-core setup.
Upgrading Existing Hardware
Upgrading your existing hardware can also make a significant difference. Consider the following upgrades:
- RAM: Ensure you have at least 16GB of RAM. More RAM allows for better handling of multiple players and complex structures.
- Storage: SSDs are a must for faster load times and smoother gameplay. If you’re still using an HDD, upgrading to an SSD can drastically improve performance.
- Network Interface Card (NIC): A high-quality NIC can help in optimizing network settings​​, reducing latency and improving overall server performance.
Balancing CPU and RAM Usage
Balancing CPU and RAM usage is essential for maintaining server stability. Here are some tips:
- Monitor Resource Usage: Use monitoring tools to keep an eye on CPU and RAM usage. This will help you identify any bottlenecks.
- Adjust Server Settings: Fine-tune your server settings to balance the load between CPU and RAM. For example, reducing the number of active mods can free up both CPU and RAM resources.
- NUMA Configuration: If you’re using a multi-socket server, consider leveraging NUMA (Non-Uniform Memory Access) capabilities to optimize memory management.
Regularly monitoring and adjusting your server hardware settings can lead to a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.
Network Configuration
Optimizing Bandwidth
To ensure your ARK server runs smoothly, it’s essential to optimize your bandwidth. Bandwidth directly impacts the number of players that can connect without experiencing lag. Here are some steps to optimize your bandwidth:
- Upgrade Your Internet Plan: Ensure you have a high-speed internet connection with sufficient upload and download speeds.
- Limit Background Applications: Close any unnecessary applications that might be using your bandwidth.
- Use a Wired Connection: A wired Ethernet connection is more stable and faster than Wi-Fi.
- Configure Quality of Service (QoS): Set up QoS on your router to prioritize gaming traffic.
Reducing Latency
Latency, or ping, is the delay between a player’s action and the server’s response. High latency can make the game unplayable. To reduce latency:
- Choose a Server Location Close to Players: The physical distance between the server and the players affects latency. Select a server location that is geographically close to your player base.
- Optimize Network Settings: Adjust your network settings to reduce latency. This includes disabling any unnecessary network features and ensuring your router firmware is up-to-date.
- Use a Gaming VPN: A gaming VPN can help reduce latency by providing a more direct route to the game server.
Configuring Router Settings
Proper router configuration is crucial for maintaining a stable and fast connection. Here are some key settings to adjust:
- Port Forwarding: Ensure the necessary ports for ARK are forwarded. This includes ports 7777, 7778, and 27015.
- DynamicConfig: Utilize the DynamicConfig feature to change server settings without restarting. This requires hosting the configuration file on a web server and setting the
-UseDynamicConfigandCustomDynamicConfigUrloptions. - Disable Unnecessary Features: Turn off features like UPnP and DMZ if they are not needed, as they can introduce security risks and instability.
Regularly monitoring and adjusting your network settings can significantly improve your ARK server’s performance. Keep an eye on your server’s performance metrics and make adjustments as needed.
In-Game Settings Adjustments
Tweaking Graphics Settings
Adjusting the graphics settings can significantly impact server performance. Lowering settings such as texture quality, shadow quality, and view distance can help reduce the load on your server’s hardware. Consider turning off unnecessary visual effects like motion blur and ambient occlusion to further enhance performance.
Adjusting Server Multipliers
Server multipliers control various aspects of gameplay, such as experience gain, taming speed, and resource gathering rates. Fine-tuning these multipliers can help balance the game and improve server performance. For example, reducing the taming speed multiplier can decrease the server load during peak times.
Managing Mods and Plugins
Mods and plugins can add a lot of fun and functionality to your ARK server, but they can also be a source of lag if not managed properly. Regularly update and remove outdated or unused mods to keep your server running smoothly. Additionally, consider limiting the number of mods to avoid overloading the server.
The GameUserSettings.ini file holds most server as well as basic and intermediate gameplay settings. Beginners can easily create this file using the ini-Generator.
Regular Maintenance and Monitoring
Regular maintenance and monitoring are essential to keep your ARK Survival Evolved server running smoothly. By staying on top of these tasks, you can prevent many common issues that lead to lag and downtime.
Conclusion
Optimizing server speed and reducing lag in ARK: Survival Evolved is essential for an enjoyable gaming experience. By implementing the various strategies discussed in this article, such as adjusting server settings, managing mods, and optimizing hardware, server administrators can significantly enhance performance. These steps not only improve gameplay but also ensure a smoother and more stable environment for all players. Remember, regular monitoring and updates are key to maintaining optimal server performance. Happy gaming!
