Windrose Server Requirements: CPU, RAM & Storage

If you want to run a Windrose dedicated server, RAM is likely to be your first hardware constraint. The official Windrose dedicated-server guide recommends 8 GB RAM for 2 players, 12 GB for 4 players, and 16 GB for its 10-player hardware profile. All three configurations list a 2-core, 3.2 GHz Intel Xeon Scalable Sapphire Rapids CPU and 35 GB of SSD storage.

These are dedicated-server requirements, not the PC requirements for running the Windrose game client.

If you plan to play Windrose and host the dedicated server on the same PC, the developer recommends at least 24 GB total RAM: 16 GB for the game client plus another 8 GB for the server. An SSD is also strongly recommended.

Here is the quick reference:

*The official dedicated-server documentation publishes a 10-player resource profile. However, the current Windrose Steam page says co-op supports up to 8 players and recommends groups of up to four for better late-game performance. Treat the 10-player figure as an official server-resource reference rather than proof that the current game client supports 10-player sessions.

Windrose Dedicated Server Requirements by Player Count

Windrose needs increasingly more memory as the number of players grows, while the published CPU and storage figures remain unchanged.

Windrose Server Requirements for 2 Players

For a two-player dedicated server, the official specification is:

• CPU: Intel Xeon Scalable Sapphire Rapids reference CPU
• CPU cores: 2
• Clock speed: 3.2 GHz
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 35 GB SSD

This is the smallest configuration officially documented by the Windrose developers.

An 8 GB machine should be treated as a dedicated server rather than a general-purpose desktop running several other memory-heavy applications. If Windows, monitoring software, backup tools, containers, or other game servers share the system, leave extra memory available.

Windrose Server Requirements for 4 Players

For four players, the CPU recommendation remains the same, but memory increases to 12 GB:

• CPU: 2 cores at 3.2 GHz
• RAM: 12 GB
• Storage: 35 GB SSD

For most friend groups, this is the more relevant specification. Windrose itself currently recommends parties of up to four for the best experience, particularly as worlds become more demanding later in a playthrough.

If you are renting a VPS, avoid choosing a 12 GB plan simply because it matches the exact requirement. The operating system also consumes memory. A server with 16 GB available gives you more room for Windows, SteamCMD, backups and background processes.

Larger Windrose Servers

The official guide also publishes the following reference:

• CPU: 2 cores at 3.2 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• Storage: 35 GB SSD

It labels this configuration for 10 players.

There is an important qualification: Steam currently describes Windrose as supporting up to eight players. Do not use the 10-player specification as evidence that a 10-player server is currently supported without checking the latest game documentation.

For an eight-player server, 16 GB RAM is the sensible starting point from the currently published official tiers. It gives the server more memory for world simulation as more players explore, fight, sail and interact with different areas simultaneously.

Windrose CPU Requirements

Windrose’s published CPU reference is an Intel Xeon Scalable Sapphire Rapids processor with two cores running at 3.2 GHz.

That does not mean you must buy a Sapphire Rapids Xeon.

The specification is better interpreted as a performance reference. A dedicated game server processes world simulation, AI, player actions, ships, combat and network events. Strong per-core CPU performance matters even when the server does not use a large number of cores.

For a home server or VPS, look for a modern processor with good single-thread performance rather than an old server CPU with many slow cores.

Avoid choosing a VPS only because it advertises a high vCPU count. Four heavily shared virtual CPUs can perform worse than two fast dedicated or lightly shared cores.

For larger groups, prioritize:

• Modern CPU architecture
• High clock speed
• Stable CPU allocation
• Low host-node contention
• Adequate cooling for a home server
• Enough CPU headroom for world simulation

There is currently no official Windrose benchmark showing that a particular Ryzen or Intel Core processor equals the Sapphire Rapids reference, so exact desktop CPU equivalents should not be presented as official requirements.

How Much RAM Does a Windrose Server Need?

RAM scales more clearly than CPU in the developer’s published requirements:

For a dedicated machine used only for Windrose, these figures provide the clearest starting point.

If Windows and other services run alongside the server, however, buying exactly the minimum amount leaves less room for the operating system.

For example, a four-player server with a 12 GB requirement is better suited to a 16 GB physical machine or hosting allocation than a computer with only 12 GB installed.

Memory headroom also helps when:

• The world grows over time
• Several players explore different areas
• Backups run
• SteamCMD updates files
• Monitoring tools run in the background
• The machine hosts another service

Avoid assuming that unused RAM means the server is over-provisioned. Operating systems use available memory for caching, and memory consumption can change with game updates.

Can You Host Windrose and Play on the Same PC?

Yes, but you need more memory than a dedicated server alone.

The official guide recommends at least 16 GB for the game client plus another 8 GB for the server, or 24 GB total when both run on one computer. It also strongly recommends SSD storage.

In practice, a 32 GB gaming PC gives you more breathing room than a 24 GB configuration because Windows, Steam, browser tabs, voice chat and other software also use memory.

Running both workloads on the same machine also means the CPU must process the game client and server simultaneously.

A separate server is preferable if:

• Several people play regularly
• Players need access while your gaming PC is turned off
• Your PC already runs close to its RAM limit
• You do not want server load affecting gameplay
• You want the world available 24/7

Windrose Storage Requirements: Use an SSD

Windrose officially specifies 35 GB of SSD storage for its dedicated server configurations.

Do not plan around exactly 35 GB of free disk space.

You also need room for:

• World saves
• Backup copies
• SteamCMD downloads
• Temporary update files
• Log files
• Future game updates

For a self-hosted machine, reserving 50 GB or more is a reasonable practical choice even though it is not an official requirement.

Use an SSD rather than an HDD. NVMe is preferable when available, although Windrose does not currently publish an official NVMe requirement.

Dedicated-server saves are stored under:

Windrose Dedicated Server\R5\Saved\SaveProfiles\Default\

Windrose’s save structure has also changed during development, including the use of RocksDB, RocksDB_v2 and backup directories. Back up your world before updates or moving server files.

Windrose Network and Port Requirements

Windrose does not currently publish a fixed minimum internet speed such as 10 Mbps or 25 Mbps. Avoid hosting guides that present an exact bandwidth figure without identifying a developer source.

For normal connections, Windrose can use its connection service and NAT traversal. The official guide says ports can be dynamically assigned through NAT punch-through and recommends checking UPnP if connections fail.

Direct-IP hosting works differently.

When players connect from another network, the server host needs a public external IP and must forward the selected game-server port. Windrose requires both TCP and UDP for a direct connection.

For example:

Public_IP:17777 → Server_LAN_IP:7777

Port 7777 is commonly shown in the official examples, but you can select another available port.

If everyone is on the same LAN, you do not need a public IP or internet port forwarding. Players can connect directly to the server’s local IP address and port.

If an internet direct connection fails, check:

• Windows Firewall
• Router port forwarding
• TCP and UDP rules
• UPnP
• VPN or proxy software
• The server’s local IP
• Whether your ISP gives you a public IPv4 address
• Whether you are behind CGNAT

CGNAT can prevent traditional inbound port forwarding because you do not control the ISP’s public-facing NAT device.

Does Windrose Dedicated Server Support Linux?

This needs a precise answer.

The official Windrose FAQ currently describes the native dedicated server as Windows-only.

However, the same official guide also provides a Docker image and documents running:

windroseserver/windroseserver:latest

The Docker example maps port 7777 for both TCP and UDP and mounts the server’s save and configuration files into the container.

So it is more accurate to say:

Windrose does not currently advertise a native Linux dedicated-server binary in its FAQ, but the developers provide an official Docker deployment option.

Do not describe that as the same thing as native Linux support.

For administrators who already use Docker, the container can make deployment, isolation and persistent storage easier. Beginners who want the least manual work may prefer Windows hosting or a managed Windrose server.

Installing Windrose Dedicated Server With SteamCMD

Windrose supports installation and updates through SteamCMD. The current dedicated-server App ID is 4129620.

The official commands are:

force_install_dir "C:\Game_Servers\Windrose_Server"
login anonymous
app_update 4129620 validate
quit

force_install_dir selects the installation directory.

login anonymous connects to Steam without requiring a purchased copy of Windrose for the server installation.

app_update 4129620 validate downloads the dedicated-server files and validates them.

To update an existing server, run:

app_update 4129620 validate

Keep the game client and dedicated server on matching versions. The official documentation warns that version mismatches can prevent players from joining or cause unexpected behavior.

This is particularly important after Windrose patches and hotfixes.

Self-Hosting vs DatHost for Windrose

Self-hosting gives you maximum control, but you are responsible for the entire server.

That includes hardware, Windows or Docker configuration, SteamCMD updates, backups, firewall rules, networking, uptime and troubleshooting.

If you only play occasionally with one or two friends, using hardware you already own can make sense.

For a world that should stay online when your PC is off, renting a game server removes much of that administration.

DatHost Windrose Server Hosting

DatHost currently offers Windrose hosting at €14.90 per month on monthly billing, with discounted effective monthly pricing on longer billing cycles. Its live Windrose page lists:

• AMD Ryzen 9 7950X or similar/EPYC hardware
• 16 GB DDR5 RAM
• NVMe SSD storage
• DDoS protection
• Automatic updates
• Automatic backups
• 1 Gbps+ network uplink
• Unlimited traffic
• Multiple global server locations
• 14-day money-back guarantee
• Game switching
• Control-panel configuration

The 16 GB RAM allocation is particularly relevant because it matches the highest memory tier in Windrose’s current official dedicated-server requirements.

There is one specification worth checking before purchase: DatHost currently lists 30 GB of included storage, while the official Windrose requirements specify 35 GB SSD storage.

Ask DatHost whether the 30 GB figure represents customer-usable storage only, whether game files are counted separately, or whether the Windrose plan has a different effective allocation. That is better than assuming the two specifications are directly comparable.

Choose self-hosting if you already own suitable hardware, want full operating-system access and do not mind maintaining the server.

Consider DatHost if you want the world online around the clock without keeping your gaming PC running or managing updates, backups and server infrastructure yourself.

Try DatHost

Common Windrose Dedicated Server Problems

Server and Client Versions Do Not Match

Update the server after the Windrose client receives a patch:

app_update 4129620 validate

Version mismatch problems have also appeared in community discussions following game updates, making backups before server updates particularly worthwhile.

Players Cannot Connect

Check whether WindroseServer.exe is allowed through the firewall.

For direct-IP hosting, confirm that the selected port accepts both TCP and UDP traffic. Also confirm that your router forwards traffic to the correct local server IP.

Server Crashes on Startup

The official troubleshooting recommendations include verifying game/server files, updating the operating system, checking firewall or antivirus exceptions and restarting the machine.

World or Save Problems

Stop the server before modifying or moving save data.

Create a separate backup before game updates, world transfers or configuration changes. Windrose’s save structure can change between builds, so do not assume an older folder layout still applies.

Final Recommendation

For a small two-player Windrose dedicated server, start with 2 fast CPU cores, 8 GB RAM and at least 35 GB of SSD storage. Move to 12 GB RAM for four players, and consider 16 GB for larger groups based on the developer’s published resource tiers.

If you host and play on the same gaming PC, plan for at least 24 GB total RAM, with 32 GB offering more room for Windows and other applications.

CPU quality matters as much as core count. A modern processor with strong per-core performance is a better choice than an old, heavily shared VPS advertising a large number of slow virtual cores.

Networking also deserves attention. Standard Windrose connections can use NAT traversal, while direct-IP hosting requires a reachable public address and correct TCP/UDP forwarding. If your ISP uses CGNAT, inbound connections may require additional work.

Self-hosting is a good fit if you already own suitable hardware and are comfortable managing SteamCMD, backups, updates and networking. For a server that stays available without leaving your gaming PC running, DatHost is a practical hosted alternative with 16 GB RAM, automated updates, backups and DDoS protection. Check its current storage allocation against Windrose’s official 35 GB SSD requirement before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions