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Windrose
Pirate Survival · Co-op · Kraken Express · Kraken Express, Pocketpair Publishing
Windrose: how much RAM & which package do I need?
RAM recommendations for Windrose servers by crew size, why usage grows with your persistent world, and which RespawnHost package fits.
Last updated July 16, 2026 · RespawnHost
How much RAM does a Windrose server need?
Windrose is a co-op game with a hard player cap of 8 (the developers recommend up to 4 for optimal performance). So it isn’t the player count that drives RAM usage — it’s how big and how long-lived your world is. The short answer:
| Crew size & world | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|
| 2–4 players, young world | 8 GB |
| Full crew (up to 8), active base & several ships | 12–16 GB |
| Long-term world, many discovered POIs & large settlements | 16 GB+ |
Note
Don't confuse two things: the Steam system requirements (16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended) are for your gaming PC, not the server. A Windrose server needs far less — 8–16 GB covers most crews.
Why higher packages can still make sense
Even though never more than 8 players sail at once, a Windrose server’s memory use grows with what happens in the world. Windrose combines ship physics, procedurally placed islands, over 100 hand-crafted dungeons and persistent bases — the more of that your crew unlocks, discovers and builds, the more the server has to hold in memory at once.
Two takeaways:
- For short campaigns with a small crew, the 8 GB entry package is plenty.
- For long-term worlds — months on the same save, many settlements, lots of explored map — size up one tier. More RAM = more headroom for future Early Access content.
CPU: clock speed beats core count
Like most Unreal Engine survival games, Windrose leans heavily on single-thread performance — lots of slow cores don’t help. That’s why RespawnHost servers run on AMD Ryzen 9 with high clock speeds and NVMe SSDs. You don’t configure this — it’s included with every package.
Which RespawnHost package is right for you?
Our Windrose packages differ mainly in RAM (from 8 to 32 GB). As a rule of thumb:
- 8 GB — perfect for 2–4 friends on a fresh save.
- 12–16 GB — our recommendation for a full crew (up to 8 players) with an active base and several ships.
- 16 GB+ — headroom for long-term worlds with many settlements and a widely explored map.
- Larger packages (up to 32 GB) — maximum headroom and comfort if you keep your server running permanently and want the world to grow over months.
Current prices are on the Windrose server page. With Pay-Per-Use you only pay while the server runs — so even a large package costs next to nothing if you play only a few hours.
Can I upgrade later?
Yes. As your world grows, switch to a larger package in the panel — your save (the RocksDB world) stays intact. No new world slot, no migration.
Frequently asked questions
Is 8 GB enough to start? For 2–4 players on a young world: yes. If you’re planning a long-term world with a full crew, go straight for 12–16 GB.
More RAM = more players? No. Windrose is hard-capped at 8 players, regardless of RAM. More RAM gives the world headroom, not more slots.
My server stutters despite enough RAM — why? Windrose itself recommends up to 4 concurrent players for smooth play, especially later in the game. With a full 8-player crew and a large world, occasional load spikes are normal. Regular restarts via the panel keep performance stable.
Ready? Rent a Windrose server — online in under 90 seconds.