SCUM: How Much RAM & Which Package Do I Need?

How much RAM does a SCUM server need?

The official server files list 8 GB RAM as the minimum — and a SCUM server does occupy around 8 GB even without players, because the island simulation (puppets, vehicles, loot spawners) runs regardless. Our recommendation by group size:

Group size	Recommended RAM
4–8 players	8–12 GB
8–24 players	12–16 GB
24–48 players	16–24 GB
Full 64-slot server / community	24–32 GB

There is no official tiering by player count — the values above are RespawnHost’s recommendation based on community experience and our own testing since the 1.0 release.

Why RAM usage grows over time

A SCUM server uses more RAM the longer it runs: more bases built, more vehicles in the world, more player progress. On top of that, the community has repeatedly reported memory leaks on long uptimes.

Two consequences:

1. Schedule regular restarts — they clear the RAM and keep performance stable. In the RespawnHost panel you can set up automatic restarts (e.g. every 4–6 hours or at night).
2. Go one tier bigger if you’re planning a long-term server.

The real performance eaters: puppets, vehicles, bases

In SCUM it’s not just the player count. These factors drive the load:

• Puppets (zombies): scum.MaxAllowedPuppets defaults to unlimited (-1). On busy servers a limit pays off — see configuring your server.
• Vehicles: Every spawned vehicle is simulated and persisted permanently.
• Bases & structures: Large building projects increase memory and sync load.
• Animals: Since the “Into the Wild” June update (June 2026), land animals roam the island again — more life, more simulation.

CPU: clock speed beats core count

Like most Unreal Engine servers, SCUM depends heavily on single-thread performance — many slow cores won’t help. That’s why RespawnHost servers run on AMD Ryzen 9 CPUs with high clock speeds (Frankfurt: Ryzen 9 9950X with DDR5, Salt Lake City: Ryzen 9 7950X). Nothing to configure — it’s included with every package.

Which RespawnHost package is right for you?

Our SCUM packages differ primarily in RAM. As a rule of thumb:

• Prisoner Starter (8 GB) — perfect for 4–8 friends on a private island.
• Squad Leader (12 GB) — ideal for clans and PvP events.
• Sector Control (16 GB) — headroom for lots of puppets and active mechs. Our recommendation for public servers.
• Island Ruler (20 GB) — for larger communities with many bases.
• TEC-1 Commander (24 GB) — maximum performance for full servers.
• Showrunner (32 GB) — high-end for 64-slot events and tournaments.

Current prices are on the SCUM server page. With Pay-Per-Use you only pay while the server runs — so even a big package costs very little if you only play a few hours.

Can I upgrade later?

Yes. When your squad grows, switch to a bigger package in the panel — your save is preserved.

Frequently asked questions

Is 8 GB enough to start? For 4–8 players on a fresh server: yes. For public servers or long-term worlds, go straight for 12–16 GB.

My server stutters despite enough RAM — why? Usually long uptime without a restart, or unlimited puppets (scum.MaxAllowedPuppets=-1). Set up automatic restarts and consider a puppet limit in ServerSettings.ini.

Is player count all that matters? No — bases, vehicles and puppet volume affect performance more than raw player count.

Ready? Rent a SCUM server — online in under 90 seconds.