The Ultimate Guide to Running a Minecraft Server on a Mini PC (2025 Edition)

Modern mini PC setup

Listen up, fellow block enthusiasts! So, you want to run your own Minecraft server but don’t want a PC the size of a small refrigerator hogging your desk? Been there, done that, got the electricity bill to prove it. After countless hours of testing (and maybe a few rage quits), I’ve figured out how to make these adorable little computers run Minecraft servers like champs.

Looking for alternatives? Check out our guides on setting up a free Minecraft PE server on Oracle Cloud or creating your own Minecraft PE server for free.

Why Choose a Mini PC for Your Minecraft Server?

Let’s get real here - your Minecraft server doesn’t need to be powered by NASA’s supercomputer. Mini PCs are like the tiny houses of the computing world, and they’re perfect because:

They sip electricity like a proper British gentleman sips tea
They’re so small you might actually lose them behind a coffee mug
They’re quieter than that friend who always sneaks up on you in-game
They cost less than your last takeout binge
They pack enough punch to handle your friends' elaborate redstone contraptions (mostly)

Understanding Minecraft Server Requirements

Before we dive into the nerdy stuff, here’s what your server needs to not curl up in a corner and cry:

Key Specifications Table

Server Size	Players	Minimum RAM	Recommended CPU	Storage
Small	1-2	4GB	Dual-core 3.0GHz	20GB SSD
Medium	4-6	8GB	Quad-core 3.5GHz	50GB SSD
Large	10-15	16GB	6-core 3.5GHz	100GB SSD

Basic Server Requirements (2025):

CPU: Something beefier than a calculator, preferably with 2+ cores
RAM: 2GB minimum (but let’s be honest, that’s like trying to fit an elephant in a Mini Cooper)
Storage: 10GB free space (SSD recommended, unless you enjoy watching paint dry)
Internet: Stable connection (carrier pigeons not recommended)
Java: The latest version, because apparently Minecraft is pickier than a toddler at dinner time

Recommended Mini PCs for Minecraft Servers

Here’s a curated list of mini PCs that work great for Minecraft servers, organized by price range:

Entry Level (Under $200)

Beelink Mini S12 Pro
- Intel Alder Lake-N100 (up to 3.4GHz)
- Perfect for 1-2 player servers
- Ultra-efficient 6W TDP
- Great starter option

Mid Range ($200-400)

Beelink Mini S13
- Intel Twin Lake-N150 (up to 3.6GHz)
- Ideal for 2-4 player servers
- Upgraded version of N100
- Excellent value proposition
KAMRUI GK3Plus
- 12th Gen Intel processor
- 16GB RAM, 512GB M.2 SSD
- Good for 4-6 player servers
- Comes ready to use
GMKtec Mini PC
- Intel Twin Lake N150
- Solid 4-6 player performance
- Compact design
- Good thermal management

High Performance ($400+)

ASUS ExpertCenter PN64
- Intel Core i5-12500H
- Excellent for 6-8 player servers
- Professional-grade reliability
- Easy upgradeability
Beelink SER5 Pro
- AMD Ryzen 7 5850U
- Perfect for 8-10 player servers
- Superior multi-threading
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio

Premium Tier ($2000ish)

Get a full size PC if you are looking at this one -_-!

Intel NUC 13 Extreme
- Intel i9-13900K
- Handles 15+ players easily
- Top-tier performance
- Future-proof investment

Best Mini PCs for Different Player Counts

Want to explore more mini PC options? Check out our comprehensive guide on the best mini PCs for home lab in 2025.

For 2 Players (Small Server)

Minimum Specs Needed:
- Dual-core processor (3.0+ GHz)
- 4GB RAM
- 20GB SSD storage
- 10Mbps upload/download

Recommended Mini PC: ASUS ExpertCenter PN64 Mini PC

Perfect for small servers
Intel Core i5-12500H processor
Upgradeable RAM
Excellent value for money

For 4-6 Players (Medium Server)

Minimum Specs Needed:
- Quad-core processor (3.5+ GHz)
- 8GB RAM
- 50GB SSD storage
- 20Mbps upload/download

Recommended Mini PC: Beelink SER5 Pro Mini PC

AMD Ryzen 7 5850U processor
8 cores/16 threads
Excellent multi-threading capabilities
Perfect balance of power and efficiency

For 10-15 Players (Large Server)

Minimum Specs Needed:
- 6-core processor (3.5+ GHz)
- 16GB RAM
- 100GB SSD storage
- 50Mbps upload/download

Recommended Mini PC: Intel NUC 13 Extreme

Intel i9-13900K processor
Massive performance headroom
Excellent cooling solution
Future-proof investment

Windows Setup Guide

Setting up a Minecraft server on Windows is like building IKEA furniture - looks simple on paper, but you might end up questioning all your life choices. Here’s how to do it without losing your sanity:

Install Java
- Download and install the latest Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
- Make sure to get the 64-bit version
Download Server Files
- Get the official Minecraft Server JAR from minecraft.net
- Create a dedicated folder for your server files
Create Launch Script
```
@echo off
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar nogui
pause
```
Save this as “start.bat” in your server folder
Configure Server
- Run the batch file once to generate server files
- Edit server.properties to customize your server
- Accept the EULA by changing eula.txt
Port Forwarding
- Access your router settings
- Forward port 25565 (default Minecraft port)
- Configure Windows Firewall to allow Java

Linux Setup Guide

Minecraft server console Linux is super efficient for running Minecraft servers. Here’s how to set it up:

Update System & Install Java

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre-headless

Create Server Directory

mkdir minecraft_server
cd minecraft_server

Download Server Software

# v1.21.4
# https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server
wget https://piston-data.mojang.com/v1/objects/4707d00eb834b446575d89a61a11b5d548d8c001/server.jar

Create Start Script

#!/bin/bash
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar nogui

Save as “start.sh” and make it executable:

chmod +x start.sh

Create Systemd Service

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service

Add:

[Unit]
Description=Minecraft Server
After=network.target

[Service]
User=minecraft
Nice=1
KillMode=none
SuccessExitStatus=0 1
ProtectHome=true
ProtectSystem=full
PrivateDevices=true
NoNewPrivileges=true
WorkingDirectory=/home/minecraft/server
ExecStart=/home/minecraft/server/start.sh
ExecStop=/usr/bin/screen -p 0 -S minecraft -X eval 'stuff "say SERVER SHUTTING DOWN IN 10 SECONDS..."\015'
ExecStop=/bin/sleep 10
ExecStop=/usr/bin/screen -p 0 -S minecraft -X eval 'stuff "stop"\015'

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Performance Optimization Tips

Performance monitoring

Want your server to run smoother than butter on a hot pancake? Here are some pro tips from someone who’s crashed more servers than they’d like to admit:

Java Optimization

java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:G1NewSizePercent=30 -XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=40 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=8M -XX:G1ReservePercent=20 -XX:G1HeapWastePercent=5 -XX:G1MixedGCCountTarget=4 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=15 -XX:G1MixedGCLiveThresholdPercent=90 -XX:SurvivorRatio=32 -XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=1 -jar server.jar nogui

Server Properties Optimization

view-distance=8
simulation-distance=6
network-compression-threshold=256
max-tick-time=60000

Use Paper/Purpur Server Software
- Better performance than vanilla
- More configuration options
- Better plugin support
Regular Maintenance
- Clear log files regularly
- Keep backups
- Monitor TPS (Ticks Per Second)
- Update server software

Tips for First-Time Server Owners

Start Small and Simple
- Begin with just you and 1-2 friends
- Use vanilla Minecraft first (no mods)
- Learn the basic commands like /op, /gamemode, and /tp
- Add more features once you’re comfortable
Make Your Server Safe
- Use a whitelist to control who can join
```
whitelist=true
```
- Only give operator (OP) status to people you really trust
- Keep your server address private - share it only with friends
Basic Commands Every Owner Should Know
- /stop - Safely shuts down the server
- /whitelist add [player] - Allows a friend to join
- /tp [player1] [player2] - Teleports players (useful if someone’s stuck!)
- /weather clear - Stops the rain (everyone hates rain!)
- /time set day - Makes it daytime again
When Things Go Wrong
- If the server crashes, check the logs folder for clues
- Take a backup before making any big changes
- Write down your settings somewhere safe
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help online!
How to Check Server Logs
- Windows Users:
  - Find the logs folder in your server directory
  - Open latest.log with Notepad
  - Use the command type logs\latest.log in Command Prompt
  - For real-time monitoring: type logs\latest.log /w
- Linux Users:
  - View latest logs: tail -f logs/latest.log
  - Search for errors: grep "ERROR" logs/latest.log
  - Last 100 lines: tail -n 100 logs/latest.log
- What to Look For:
  - Lines with “ERROR” or “WARN”
  - Messages about “Can’t keep up!”
  - Out of memory warnings
  - Player connection issues

Common Problems (And How to Fix Them Without Crying)

The “Why Is Everything on Fire?” Problems

Server Keeps Crashing: Before you throw your mini PC into a volcano, check if you’re trying to run 500 mods on 4GB of RAM. That’s like trying to fit an entire pizza in your mouth at once - technically possible, but not recommended.
Lag Issues: If your players are moving like sloths in molasses, it’s probably not because they’re roleplaying. Check your view-distance settings and maybe tell your friend to stop building that 1:1 scale replica of New York City.
Memory Leaks: When your server starts eating RAM like it’s at an all-you-can-eat buffet, it’s time for a restart. Yes, turning it off and on again is still valid tech support in 2025.

The Money Talk: What’s This Going to Cost Me?

Let’s break down the costs in terms we can all understand:

Commercial Hosting: About $20-30/month (or 4-6 fancy coffee drinks)
Mini PC Setup: $300-600 upfront (or one really regrettable impulse purchase)
Electricity: $2-5/month (less than what you spend feeding your virtual cats)

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a completely free alternative, check out our guide on setting up a Minecraft PE server using Oracle Cloud’s free tier.

Long-term, running your own server is like making coffee at home instead of buying it - initially expensive but saves money if you’re in it for the long haul.

Happy Crafting!

Congratulations! If you’ve made it this far without throwing your mini PC out the window, you’re officially ready to join the elite club of Minecraft server hosts. Remember, running a server is like raising a digital pet - it needs love, attention, and occasional treats (in the form of updates).

And hey, if all else fails, you can always use your mini PC as a really expensive paperweight! 😉 Or as a k3s home lab server.

Happy crafting, you magnificent block architects! 🎮🔨

This article was last updated on February 4, 2025, while trying to figure out why the chickens keep escaping their pens.

The Ultimate Guide to Running a Minecraft Server on a Mini PC (2025 Edition)#

Why Choose a Mini PC for Your Minecraft Server?#

Understanding Minecraft Server Requirements#

Key Specifications Table#

Basic Server Requirements (2025):#

Recommended Mini PCs for Minecraft Servers#

Entry Level (Under $200)#

Mid Range ($200-400)#

High Performance ($400+)#

Premium Tier ($2000ish)#

Best Mini PCs for Different Player Counts#

For 2 Players (Small Server)#

For 4-6 Players (Medium Server)#

For 10-15 Players (Large Server)#

Windows Setup Guide#

Linux Setup Guide#

Performance Optimization Tips#

Tips for First-Time Server Owners#

Common Problems (And How to Fix Them Without Crying)#

The “Why Is Everything on Fire?” Problems#

The Money Talk: What’s This Going to Cost Me?#

Happy Crafting!#