How Many Cores Does A Minecraft Server Use?

A Minecraft server only uses one core for the main game thread—this handles world ticks, entity updates, and most game logic. However, additional tasks like garbage collection, networking, and plugins can use extra threads, which means multi-core CPUs can still boost overall Minecraft server performance, even though the game doesn’t fully utilize multiple cores for the core gameplay loop.

Here’s what to know:

• Single-core speed matters most (higher clock speed = better performance)

• Extra cores help with plugins, mods, and player count

• Heavily modded servers (like Forge or Fabric packs) benefit more from multiple threads

• Proxy setups (e.g., BungeeCord + sub-servers) can use one core per server instance

So, while Minecraft is single-threaded at its core, a multi-core CPU is still valuable for hosting.

Why Do Minecraft Servers Only Use One Core?

The reason is that Minecraft's internal server is primarily single-threaded. This means most server tasks—like chunk loading and entity updates—run on only one thread. Even if your CPU has many cores, Minecraft server software won't take full advantage of them automatically. That’s why single-core performance is much more important than total core count.

Why Doesn't Minecraft Use Multiple Cores?

Minecraft was built at a time when single-thread performance mattered more than having multiple cores. Because of this, the game relies heavily on one core for processing the main game loop. While certain tasks like network handling, autosaving, or plugin functions may use different cores, most gameplay runs on a single thread. This is true for both vanilla Minecraft and many modded servers.

Are Minecraft Servers CPU Intensive?

Yes—Minecraft servers are CPU-intensive, unlike most popular games. Instead of spreading work across multiple threads, Minecraft strains a single one. This can cause performance issues if your CPU doesn’t have good single-thread performance. You’ll notice more lag as view distance, player count, and plugin complexity increase.

Is 1 Core Enough For A Minecraft Server?

One core might be enough for small servers with just a few friends, especially if the CPU has a high clock speed. But a single core starts to struggle as you add more players, mods, or plugins. Things like chunk loading and CPU usage will increase, potentially causing lag.

Is 2 Cores Good Enough For A Minecraft Server?

Yes—for medium servers, two cores can offer better performance. Minecraft uses only one core for most tasks, but the second core helps handle background tasks and server software overhead. This allows for smoother gameplay, especially if you’re using plugins or running the latest version of Minecraft. Choosing a host with a strong single-core CPU like an AMD Ryzen chip is highly recommended.

Still have some questions about core use on a Minecraft server?

Don't hesitate to reach out to our support team! We're available 24/7 to assist!

By: Ali A.

Updated on: 01/07/2025