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Guide

Understanding the Panel's CPU and RAM Metrics

CPU at 80%, RAM at 90%... should you worry? Learn to read the panel metrics and act correctly.

By Tech Team··2 min read
Understanding the Panel's CPU and RAM Metrics

📊 What do the panel metrics show?

On your server's main view in the panel you'll see three real-time indicators: CPU, RAM and NETWORK. Understanding them helps you spot problems before they affect your players.

⚙️ CPU: Processor usage

The CPU percentage you see in the panel is relative to the cores assigned to your server, not to the node's full physical CPU. Usage of 80-90% occasionally is normal (for example, when the server loads new chunks or processes complex redstone). What you should watch is sustained usage at 95-100% for minutes on end: that indicates a real problem (a plugin in a loop, an excessive redstone farm, too many active mobs).

What to do if the CPU is maxed out:
  • Install Spark and run /spark profiler to identify which thread is maxed.
  • Reduce the view distance (view-distance in server.properties).
  • Enable use-aikar-flags: true if you use Paper (improves garbage collection).
  • Consider upgrading if the server is constantly at the limit.

🧠 RAM: Memory used

The RAM you see in the panel is the memory currently in use by the Java process. It's normal for RAM usage to rise over time and then drop sharply: this is Java's Garbage Collector freeing accumulated memory. Don't be alarmed by occasional spikes.

When to worry: If the RAM reaches 95-100% of what's assigned and doesn't drop, the server may start crashing with OutOfMemoryError. In that case:
  • Reduce the number of unnecessary plugins.
  • Adjust the max RAM parameter if your plan allows it.
  • Upgrade to have more RAM available.

🌐 NETWORK: Network traffic

The RX (download to the server) and TX (upload from the server to players) indicators show real-time traffic. On normal servers, KB/s values are common. If you see MB/s values sustained, it may indicate a DDoS attack — in that case, our protection system acts automatically.

💡 Tricks to reduce resource usage

  • Use Paper or Purpur instead of Vanilla or Spigot — they're much more optimized.
  • Limit the view distance to 6-8 chunks for a good balance.
  • Install Chunky to pre-generate the map and avoid live chunk-generation lag.
  • Periodically review which plugins you have installed and remove the ones you don't use.
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