Choose enough RAM and CPU for your group, then use your own resource readings to decide whether to adjust. Project Zomboid server needs depend on player activity, world complexity, and the mods you use; MaximusHost does not promise a specific player capacity for a resource selection.

Choose RAM and CPU

The current Project Zomboid creation form offers 8–16 GB RAM and 1–6 vCPU. We recommend beginning with 8–12 GB RAM and 2–4 vCPU.

RAM provides room for the server's active world and game data. CPU capacity affects how much game and player activity the server can process at once. More players, active areas, and Workshop items can change how much of each resource your server needs.

In Settings, the Maximum players field accepts values from 1 to 100. Its help text warns that settings above 32 can increase map-streaming and desynchronization risk. Treat this as a configuration range, not a tested player limit.

Start near the recommendation, play through a representative session, then open Resources. Compare the Memory and CPU values under Live Resource Usage and review Usage History for average and peak readings. If usage remains high, consider changing one resource at a time and compare the result during a similar session.

Understand credit costs

MaximusHost uses credits for server usage. The live creation form shows the Estimated runtime rate in credits per hour for the RAM and CPU you choose. Your total usage depends on how long the server runs. A new server has a one-time 50-credit creation fee.

New Project Zomboid servers use standard credit billing; no new free beta server waiver is granted. Existing designated free beta servers retain their exemption for eligible Founder and Premium owners. CPU and RAM are billed while a standard server runs, and storage may be billed while it is stopped. The Billing & Credits guide lists current terms. Check the live estimate before creating a server.

If you own the server and do not need it running all day, the Schedule tab can plan start and stop actions. You can also enable Idle Auto-Shutdown to stop it after a selected empty period; if player count cannot be verified, it will not stop automatically. Stopping a server reduces running CPU and RAM use, but does not necessarily remove storage charges.

For creation steps, see Create a Project Zomboid server. For ongoing health checks, see Troubleshoot a Project Zomboid server.