Comparing game server hosting: what matters

There are dozens of game server hosting providers in Europe. Their websites all promise "the best hardware" and "low ping", but the real differences are in the details. This article helps you make an informed choice.

1. Hardware: not all servers are equal

The processor is the most important component for a game server. Most games only use one or two cores, so single-thread performance determines how smoothly your server runs.

• AMD Ryzen 9 / 7950X: top-tier single-thread. Ideal for Minecraft, FiveM, Rust.
• Intel i9-13900K / 14900K: comparable, slightly higher clock speed.
• Intel Xeon / AMD EPYC: designed for data centers, not gaming. Many cores but lower clock speed per core.

Always ask which processor your server runs on. "Dedicated resources" on a Xeon E-2236 is slower than shared Ryzen 9.

2. Storage type: NVMe versus SATA SSD

NVMe SSDs are 5 to 10 times faster than SATA SSDs. You notice the difference when loading large worlds (Minecraft with many chunks, ARK maps) and when making backups. HDD storage is no longer acceptable for game servers in 2026.

3. Network and location

The server location determines latency (ping) for your players. Choose a datacenter close to your player base:

• Netherlands/Germany: lowest ping for Western Europe (5-15 ms).
• France: good for Southern Europe.
• Poland: lowest ping for Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

Check whether the provider offers DDoS protection. Game servers are a frequent target and without protection an attack can take your server down for hours.

4. Game panel

The game panel is the interface you use to manage your server. The two most common panels are:

• Pterodactyl: open-source, modern, feature-rich. Supports file manager, console, scheduling and SFTP.
• Multicraft: older, Minecraft-only. Less flexible but straightforward.

At HostValues we use Pterodactyl for all game servers, with custom eggs per game.

5. Support and availability

Check the support hours. "24/7 support" at many providers means a ticket system without SLA. Relevant questions to ask:

• What is the average response time?
• Is there live chat or tickets only?
• Are server migrations and game updates handled by support, or do you have to manage them yourself?

6. Price and transparency

Always compare the price per GB RAM and check what is included. Hidden costs you may encounter:

• Extra charges for mod installation or DDoS protection.
• Higher price after the first month (introductory discount).
• Limited data transfer with overage charges.

Comparison table

Compare game server hosting at HostValues: AMD Ryzen 9, NVMe, DDoS protection included.