Performance Optimization and Lag Reduction for ARK Servers

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1. Server Hardware Selection and Upgrades

CPU: Secure a CPU with high single-thread performance, as ARK often leans heavily on a single core. Intel's i7 and i9 series, or AMD's Ryzen series, are popular choices among server admins.
RAM: Opt for DDR4 RAM with higher MHz ratings, which provides faster data access times, enhancing server responsiveness.
SSD Storage: NVMe SSDs offer even faster read/write speeds than traditional SSDs. If possible, select an NVMe over a standard SSD for your ARK server.

2. Network Optimization

Use Quality Network Cards: Invest in a reputable network card like those from Intel's server-grade line to ensure stable and fast data transfer.
Location: Choose a server location near the majority of your player base. This reduces the average ping, enhancing gameplay for most users.

3. Game Configuration Tweaks

View Distance: Reduce the ViewDistance setting. A lower setting decreases the distance at which objects are rendered, which can give a significant performance boost.
Disable Map Features: Some map features, like fog, can be disabled to save on resources. Use the command sg.groundclutterquality 0 to reduce ground clutter, for instance.
Reduce Save Intervals: By default, ARK servers save every 15 minutes. Consider extending this to every 30 minutes to reduce lag spikes.

4. Regular Server Maintenance

Database Maintenance: Regularly run database maintenance, clearing out old and redundant data, which can impact server performance.
Log Cleaning: Ensure that logs don't get too large. Set up automated processes to periodically clear or archive old logs.

5. Server-Side Optimizations and Plugins

Server Management Tools: Using tools like Ark Server Manager can help automate many optimization tasks, such as updates and mod installations.
Utilize Tick Rate Adjustments: Adjusting the tick rate (-tickrate command) can help in optimizing server performance, but this may affect gameplay responsiveness, so tweak carefully.
INI Tweaks: Dive into the GameUserSettings.ini and Game.ini files. Adjust settings like MaxStructuresInRange to lower values to optimize performance.

6. Monitor and Respond

Server Resource Monitor: Utilize tools like htop (for Linux) or Task Manager (for Windows) to keep an eye on CPU, RAM, and network usage in real-time.
Use Monitoring Software: Software like Prometheus or Grafana can provide a more in-depth insight into your server's performance metrics, helping you pinpoint lag sources.

Optimizing an ARK server's performance requires a mix of hardware selection, in-game settings tweaks, and consistent monitoring. By diving deep into these specific recommendations, server admins can ensure smoother gameplay and more satisfied players.

Updated on: 08/08/2023