What space and resources does a TF2 server take up?

# Aug 20, 2009 at 8:22 PM

Join Date:	Aug 20, 2009
Post Count:	2

PowerBlue 91706

I am thinking about getting a dedicated server for Team Fortress 2.
* What space size does all of the TF2 server files take?
* How much bandwidth will TF2 servers usually require per month?
* How much is a slot in terms of actual resources?

# Aug 23, 2009 at 7:06 PM

Join Date:	Nov 13, 2007
Post Count:	887

Mooga 80256

Specialty: Pyro

Clan: FTR

The files are a few gigs (that's without custom maps). I don't have the exact size, but a 30GB drive will do fine.
When renting servers, you generally get about 2000GB a month. You should have at least a 10mbit upload and a static IP address.
As for hardware, ram isn't too vital but at least 1GB of ram should be fine (depending on the OS, of course). CPU is VERY impotent. For a 24-man server, you need either a P4 running at 3.0GHz or a Core2Duo or Core2Quad running at 2.4GHz or higher. Since SRCDS can't run on multiple cores at a time, something like a 1.6 dual-core wont do you much good. Also Intel is best.

Also check out the srcds.com forums.

# Aug 23, 2009 at 10:02 PM

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computergeniusman 87461

Specialty: Sniper

Steam ID: The Geniusman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooga
CPU is VERY impotent.

Maybe yours is.

Mooga makes good points, but for anything above 24 man servers, I'd say 2GB RAM is safer for Windows. A lightweight Linux distro could totally jam with 1 GB. The total filesize for the TF2 dedicated server is 1.15 GB, as a base amount.

# Sep 07, 2009 at 12:53 PM

Join Date:	Aug 20, 2009
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PowerBlue 91706

When renting servers, you generally get about 2000GB a month.

But, how much bandwidth will the typical 24 slot server take up? What will a typical player slot take up in terms of actual resources?

By the way thank you both for the reply.

# Sep 07, 2009 at 1:18 PM

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computergeniusman 87461

Specialty: Sniper

Steam ID: The Geniusman

Double edit: Nvm, I have no clue.

Could anyone research this? Maybe someone could look at our server usage and see what the usual throughput is?

# Dec 28, 2009 at 3:15 PM

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Groux 92546

Specialty: Soldier

Steam ID: STEAM_0:0:402694

GamerTag: Groux

I'd estimate that a 32-slot server that is full 24/7 would use anywhere from 500-700gb of bandwidth per month AT MOST depending on your installed mods. There's no real solid numbers for these things because servers fluctuate so much depending on the setup, map, mods, addons and players connected... the only way to really know is to set up a server how you'd want it and monitor it for 1-2 months. I'd estimate that most servers out there use 250GB or less in bandwidth.

The same thing goes for memory and CPU usage, there are no real solid numbers here either because it is all relative to your specific server's configuration. I do know that I can run four TF2 servers on a CentOS Linux VPS that has a single 3GHz Quad Core Xeon processor and 1.5GB of base RAM (bursts to 2.5GB), although 2GB would probably be better I don't see any real difference. If I had to estimate I'd say you need 350-600mb per server to run smoothly... obviously the more slots and mods you have, the more memory you'll need.

It should be noted that the overhead on a Linux server is going to be less than that of a Windows server as the Microsoft box will eat up 256-512mb of RAM and 6-10% of the CPU for the GUI interface. Also, as mentioned above the base install for each server is about 1.5gb total, adding custom maps and add-ons could make that number rise a little but I don't see it getting over 2.5gb per server.

# Jan 03, 2010 at 8:56 PM

Join Date:	Dec 21, 2009
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WhereEaglesDare 92494

Specialty: Pyro

Steam ID: WhereEaglesDare

Clan: SCMPGaming

I host a server from my house and I got a 3.7-4 Mbs upload speed when I started to test how many could be on it at one time and I had 15 on it before significant lag was noticed. At 12 absolutly no lag and at 14 very little. So if you do the math. That means ABOUT 240-264 kbs per slot. I hope this helps.