How to choose VPS specs: vCPU, RAM and disk
The right VPS size depends on your software, not on the number of visitors alone. Start with the table below, measure real usage for a week, then resize. On ONIE you can pick a ready-made plan or build a custom VPS and increase vCPU, RAM and disk later without reinstalling.
Starting points by workload
| Workload | vCPU | RAM | NVMe disk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal site, test server | 1 | 1-2 GB | 20-40 GB |
| WordPress, small business site | 2 | 2-4 GB | 40-80 GB |
| Web app with a database | 2-4 | 4-8 GB | 80-160 GB |
| Game server, busy online shop | 4-8 | 8-16 GB | 160 GB+ |
| Windows remote desktop | 2-4 | 4-8 GB | 80 GB+ |
These are starting points, not guarantees. Always check the minimum requirements of the software you run.
vCPU
A vCPU is one virtual core. Web servers handle many small requests and scale well with more cores. A single-threaded program, such as many game servers, benefits more from a fast core than from many cores. Watch the load average:
uptime
top -o %CPUIf the load stays above the number of vCPUs for long periods, add cores.
RAM
RAM is the most common limit. A database wants memory for its cache, PHP and Node.js workers each take a share, and the operating system keeps the rest as file cache. Check what is used:
free -hIf "available" is low and the system uses swap heavily, increase RAM before anything else.
Disk
Choose NVMe storage for databases and busy sites; it has far lower latency than a hard disk. Leave at least 20 percent free, because logs, backups and package updates grow over time. If you only need more space for data, add a separate volume instead of a bigger server, as described in block storage.
Bandwidth and location
Check how much traffic is included and how extra traffic is billed. Pick a location near your users: a site for visitors in Vietnam is faster from a VPS in Vietnam, while a service for Southeast Asia may fit a Singapore location.
Operating system
Linux needs fewer resources and has no license fee. Windows needs more RAM and adds a license cost; see Windows or Linux VPS.
How to avoid over-paying
- Start small and resize after you see real usage.
- Use hourly billing while testing, then switch to a prepaid cycle for servers that stay on.
- Delete test servers. A stopped server is still billed because its resources stay reserved.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does a VPS need for WordPress?
2 GB is a comfortable start for one site with a caching plugin. Use 4 GB or more for several sites or WooCommerce.
Can I upgrade my VPS later?
Yes. You can increase vCPU, RAM and disk of an existing server, so there is no need to over-buy at the start.
Is more vCPU always faster?
No. A program that uses only one thread will not run faster with more cores. Measure first.