10 Best Dedicated Server Hosting Providers
Gaming is no longer something you can do in your living area on a console or computer. It used to be that you had to play against someone or with them alone. Now, it's possible to invite friends and play multiplayer. Not only can you connect with any player around the world, whole games are designed on the premise of a large worldwide community.
MMRPGs are massively multiplayer role-playing games that are extremely popular. They come with a variety of content, genres, and styles. Many people play together, including professionals, seniors, teenagers, and women. Gamers are not limited to geeks and nerds. Many of us choose to connect and play instead of watching television.
Servers are required to host such games. But for some there are limits to connecting to servers and in that case, there is the option of dedicated gaming servers. A dedicated server is one or more servers. It allows the server administrator to customize a game or play a different version.
Sometimes you can charge for this, but it is best to check with the company who developed the game. Be sure to check their rules. Minecraft and World of Warcraft make excellent examples of large online games.
Forget the stereotypes you might associate with gamers. They can be any person. I am a Gamer. You are most likely a gamer if you are looking for the best dedicated server hosting.
Multiplayer Gaming on the Rise
Gaming as a means to socialize is becoming more acceptable and commonplace. I enjoy the banter with others, the ability to voice chat or not, as well as meeting new people. I am not male, I am not living with my parents, and I am not unemployable!
It has even moved beyond that into a profession, there are people who successfully make money from gaming. Live streaming, endorsements, and so on can all make this possible. In the 1970s, the first games were created for universities. But they quickly became popular. Games like Doom, the first person shooter, and Quake, the 1996 release, had a major impact on multiplayer gaming.
Popular Online Multiplayer Games
There are a growing number of games that people are setting up dedicated game servers for today. These include, but are not limited to:
Counter-Strike Global Offensive - An extremely popular first-person shooter where players can either be terrorists or counter terrorists. Minecraft - Who would have thought blocks would prove so successful?! Build your own cities, villages, and continents! The most popular sandbox multi-player game. Starbound - A more adventurous sandbox game that puts you in space. You'll need to gather resources in order to repair damaged planets and explore those worlds. There are also quests that you must complete and a storyline. Rust - Survival, first person shooter, exploration. Rust is a multiplayer sandbox game that is very popular. It boasts that there are many things that can kill you. Killing Floor is one of the most loved multiplayer games. DayZ - Another survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Space Engineers - A sandbox game set in space. You can explore the planets, build space stations, space ships, fly spaceships and gather resources. Arma - First person shooter game with lots of simulation, tactical decision making and a mix of small scale and large scale fighting. Ark – A survival action game...with dinosaurs!
What do Game Servers Do?
Before I get to the best dedicated server hosting platforms, let me briefly outline what servers do. In multiplayer games there is the game client, what you handle at home, and what the server handles. Your game client handles things like:
1. The graphics 2. The controls 3. and sound
On the server end it or they deal with things like;
1. the action of the game 2. the positions of the player 3. the rules and making sure they're followed
Although you can technically have your computer act online as a server, it is possible to have problems. It is better to have a dedicated server. At home you might run into issues with your router blocking ports, not being able to handle a lot of players and security issues. This requires a certain level and knowledge that you may not have. It can also take up time that you might prefer to use for other gaming.
Advantages of Using a Dedicated Game Server
- A dedicated server should run 24 hours a day 7 days a week, all 365 days a year - Able to handle high traffic - No issues with overheating - Better performance - Dedicated servers give more flexibility than shared plans as you are not completing for bandwidth and uptime - Using a game focused dedicated server host rather than doing it yourself means you can spend more time actually gaming - Less lag issues which really can ruin a game when that gets bad - Easy voice chat both as a group or to chat one to one with someone - Support for when it is needed, looking for good response times as well as solving times - Pre-installed on many are the most popular game servers some of which I mentioned above - Space to put in a website of some kind with a website builder to make it easy - Ability to integrate that site with the game so you can do extra things like display player rankings - Software to have a forum, these are an important part of the gaming community where players can discuss quests, events, strategy and chat - Systems of achievements to encourage players further - Control panel like Mint panel
Choose a dedicated server for your game
1. Is the server capable of hosting the game you are looking for? 2. Is the hardware top of the line? You should lean towards a tier 1 provider with SSDs and excellent processors. 3. What is the uptime promise? You must know the servers will be up and running. You will get angry at players who experience frequent game crashes and may leave. 4. What is the estimated cost? 5. Is customization available? 6. Are there pre-installed voice servers? 7. Is there DDoS security? 8. Are the gaming modules included with the price of the plan? 9. Are the modules ready-to-go or pre-installed This will save you a lot time. 10. Is there support available at any time? Find out what customers have to say. 11. Can you have a trial period and see how it goes before you commit to a longer-term contract? 12. Is it high-level secure?
Best dedicated server hosting providers
HostGator BlueHost InMotion GoDaddy KnownHost GameServers.com A2Hosting LiquidWeb OVH.com 1&1 IONOS These hosting sites offer a variety of hosting services, including dedicated. Focusing on dedicated server hosting, at a glance with each of these hosts' cheapest plans you get;
Phone, chat, email
1. HostGator
HostGator is a great choice for dedicated server hosting. They are a well-known company in the hosting industry and have proven to reliable, even though their prices are higher than some of the other options. It has an uptime guarantee of 99.9% and a nice unmetered bandwidth. There are three options for dedicated server hosting: Value at $189 per month, Power at $249 per month, and Enterprise at $289 per month. Here is a list of all the plans available from HostGator.
Value Server
- RAM at 8GB – Bandwidth not metered – 4 Core or 8 Thread Intel Xeon D CPU – 24/7 support in many forms to suit everyone's needs – 1TB HDD Price starts at $189 a m but with the current promotion it works out as $119 a m. - Can choose from managed or semi-managed server - Account activation can be instant - Operating System can be CentOS cPanel, Windows Plesk or Windows Plesk HostGator recommends Power Server
- You can choose between semi-managed or managed servers - Account activation takes less than a minute - 2TB HDD and 512 GB SSD – Operating system can be CentOS cPanel, or Windows Plesk – Price starts at $249 a monthly but with the current special offer, you only pay $138.99 a months - 8 Core and 16 thread Intel Xeon D CPU - RAM 16GB - Bandwidth cannot be capped - 24/7 support is available in - Support is available in different forms -
Enterprise Server
- 8 Core and 16 thread Intel Xeon Xeon D CPU - RAM is 30GB – 1 TB SSD – Bandwidth is unlimited - Prices start at $289 a monthly but with the current special offer, you only pay $149.01 a months if you choose to activate your account immediately - Operating system can either CentOS cPanel and Windows Plesk - 24/7 support in different forms to meet everyone's needs
HostGator offers the best dedicated server hosting. The basic plan does not allow you to choose between SSD or HDD. This plan starts at the next price. It does have a lot to offer, such as great customer service, DDoS protection and Raid-1 configuration. There are unlimited databases and 3 to 5 IP addresses.
This company has been in existence for more than 10 years and is a well-respected hosting service. The dedicated servers are hosted in the US in a Tier 3 data center and you can opt for managed or semi-managed in all the plans.
Although their price is slightly higher than other hosting options, I will still be looking at them. However, I am providing a guide to the best dedicated server hosts and not the cheapest.2. BlueHost
BlueHost is a reliable hosting platform. I often recommend it to my clients when they are looking for a hosting service. As well as offering the dedicated server hosting it also has VPS hosting from $29.99 to $119.99 a month, Cloud hosting for $9.99 to $25.99 a month and Shared hosting for $3.95 to $23.99 a month. For the best dedicated server hosting options, I will be focusing on their dedicated hosting plans.
BlueHost offers 3 reasonably priced plans for dedicated server hosting.
Standard plan - $79.99 per month with the new user deal or normally $119.99 per month. BlueHost recommends the enhanced plan at $99.99 per mois with the new user offer, or $159.99 per mo. Premium plan - $119.99 per month with the new user offer, or normally $209.99 per month. Standard plan (the most affordable) offers users.
4 core and 8 threads, 3 GHz CPU, 500GB storage mirrored, 4GB RAM, 5TB bandwidth, 1 free domain, 3 free IP addresses, 24/7 support - Free SSL
BlueHost recommends the enhanced plan. This offers users:
24/7 Support - Get SSL for free - 4 free IP Addresses & 1 free Domain - 10TB Bandwidth - RAM is 8GB, 1TB mirrored and 5 GHz CPU with 4 cores 8 threads
Premium plan offers to users
- 3.3GHz CPU - 4 cores, 8 threads
- 1TB mirrored storage - RAM is 16GB - 15TB bandwidth - 1 free domain included - 5 free IP addresses - 24/7 support - Free SSL
It is worth noting that you can still get the standard plan, but get a free upgrade to more storage and CPU. BlueHost promises fast speeds as well as technology that is up-to-date, a server ready to go within 24 to72 hours, and RAID Level 1 configuration.
BlueHost is much more affordable than HostGator, even though they don't have any special offers to lower the prices. It is simple to use, secure, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. They are easy to use and you can return your money if it is not satisfactory within 30 day.
BlueHost offers decent plans and affordable alternatives. There are almost always savings for new account holders.
You also get an enhanced cPanel, which gives you more control and allows you to increase storage without needing to contact support. You will have full root access to your server, which will be isolated from any other servers. Other server's performance will not affect you.
BlueHost is the best dedicated server hosting service, and it makes sense to me and a lot of people.
3. InMotion Hosting
The interesting thing about the dedicated servers with InMotion Hosting is that all of them are SSD at no extra cost. It is also more affordable than other platforms, with plans starting at $115.69 per month currently with a special deal. The regular price of the first plan is $169.99, while the second plan is $115.69 per month.
They offer 6 plans for people looking to host dedicated game servers. These are the Essential plan, their cheapest offering at $115.69 usually, then the Advanced which is their best value plan, the Elite, the CC-500, the CC-1000 and the CC-2000. Let's take a closer look at the first 3 options;
Essential - Best Price at $115.69 Per Month
4 core and 8 threads $115.69 a monthly with the new user offer but usually $169.99 a Month 9GHz clock speed 4 GB RAM RAM DDR3ECC usually but promo currently offers double RAM for free 1TB 7.2K HDD, 500GB SSD storage space, 6TB data transfer a months 5 IPs for Free 2 hours managed hosting for free 8MB free SSDs. However, there is usually a $99 RAID software charge (not hardware) that Intel(r), Xeon(r), v2
Advanced - the best value
Intel(r), Xeon[r] E3-1270 v6 $176.59 a months with special offer f o new users but usually 209.99 a month 4 Core, 8 threads 2GHz speed 8GB RAMDDR4 ECC but offering double the RAM for a promo 2TB 7.2KHDD and 500GB SSD disk space RAID software, not hardware. 2 hours of managed Hosting for 10TB data transfer per Month 10 IPs for Free Your choice of Data Center CPU cache 8MB FREE SSDs Free Setup currently but usually $99
Elite
Intel(r), Xeon[r] E3-1270 v6 $248.99 amonth with special offer f r new users, but usually $289.99 a lună 4 Core and 8 threads 2GHz clock speed 16GB RAM DDR4 ECC but offering double RAM for free promo 2TB 7.2K HDD x 2 or 500GB SSD x 2 disk space RAID hardware 2 hours of managed hosting for free 10TB data transfer a month 15 IPs for free Your choice of data center CPU cache 8MB Free SSDs Free set up currently but usually a $99 fee
Briefly the CC options start at $350.99 a month with the special offer or $399.99 usually a month and go up to $529.49 a month with special offer or $569.99 usually. They offer the following:
6 to 16 cores and 12 to 32 threads 7 to 3.0 GHz 16 to 64 GB RAM DDR3 or 4 2 x 500 GB SSD up to 3 x 1 TB SSD RAID hardware included in all of them 4 hours of managed hosting for free in all of them 15TB data transfer a month 15 IPs for free Free set up currently but usually a $99 fee
InMotion Hosting also offers clients on higher plans a lifetime discounted, so you will save money the longer that you stay with them. You pay more for things like secondary hard drives, backup hard drives and remote KVM. game servers an a lot of fun
They offer 24/7 support and promise reliability, speed, and security. They also promise 99.999% uptime along with DDoS protection.
4. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is another hosting platform where as well as getting dedicated servers, as with other companies you can also get VPS, Cloud and Shared hosting. You have full root access, so you can customize as much or as little as you like, with more control and flexibility. There are four plans available: Economy is the most affordable, followed by Value, Deluxe, and Ultimate.
Their prices are in Canadian dollars. I will convert them to US dollars here for you, as that is how the other options are priced. These conversions may not be exact prices as they can change with exchange rates. Let's take a closer look at these plans.
Economy - cheapest option Linux option is $172.73 a month usually and windows option is $206.24 a month usually
- 4 Core and 8 threads - 1GHz clock speed - 4GB RAM - 1TB disk space - RAID-1 - Unmetered bandwidth - 3 IPs for free - Free 1 year SSL certificate - Processor type 1x Xeon E3-1220-v3
Value - Linux option is$202.45 a month usually and windows option is $235.94 a month usually
- 4 Core and 8 threads - 1GHz clock speed - 8GB RAM - 5 TB disk space - RAID-1 - Unmetered bandwidth - 3 IPs for free - Free 1 year SSL certificate - Processor type 1x Xeon E3-1220-v3
Deluxe - Linux option is $252.70 a month usually and windows option is $286.18 a month usually
- 4 Cores and 8 threads – 1GHz clock speed – 16 GB RAM – 2 TB disk storage — RAID-1 Unmetered bandwidth – 3 IPs free Free 1 year SSL certificate – Processor type 1x Xeon 1220-v3
Ultimate - Linux option is$353.16 a month usually and windows option is $386.67 a month usually
- 4 Cores and 8 threads – 1GHz clock speed – 32 GB RAM – 2 TB disk storage — RAID-1 Unmetered bandwidth – 3 IPs free Free 1 year SSL certificate – Processor type 1x Xeon 1220-v3
You may be able to get a plan for a fraction of the price if you take advantage of the 30% discount currently available on certain plans. GoDaddy offers file backups for a nominal fee. You can choose between fully managed or managed options. GoDaddy's servers are based in the US, but have some presence all over the world.
They offer 24/7 support through live chat, phone and email. Their basic package has less server RAM than other options, but it is still more expensive.
5. KnownHost
KnownHost is a privately-owned US-based hosting company that focuses on managed dedicated hosting as well as managed VPS hosting. It has been in existence for 15 years. RocketVPS is a sister company that offers unmanaged VPS hosting. Uberhost, a recent acquisition, specializes more in shared hosting. Instead of offering one brand that offers all types of hosting, which is common with online hosting platforms like Hostgator, they have spread it among the three.
The Linux only 4 hosting plans they offer for dedicated servers are KH-MD1, the lowest priced, then KH-MD2, KH-MD3 and lastly KH-MD4. Here's a closer view
KHMD1 - Cheapest Plan $159.00 a Month
- i7-6700 Processor - 4GHz 8MB, 8 GB RAM DDR4-8 GB HDD1256GB SSD – 6TB of bandwidth – Max drives 2, - No RAID hardware at this level
KH-MD2 - $179.00 a month
- Xeon E3-1270v5 CPU - 6GHz 8MB - 8 GB RAM DDR4 - HDD1 256GB SSD - 6TB of bandwidth - Max drives 4 - RAID hardware optional for additional cost
KH - MD3 - $249.00 per Monat
- 2 Xeon E5-2430v2 CPU - 5GHz 15MB - 8GB RAM DDR3 – HDD1256GB SSD HDD1 8TB bandwidth – Max drives 4 – RAID hardware optional for an additional charge
KH-MD4 - $339.
00 a month- 2 Xeon Xeon E5-2620v3 processor - 4GHz 15,MB – 16 GB Ram DDR4 – HDD1 256GB SATA – 12 TB bandwidth Max drives 4. RAID hardware optional for additional costs
KnownHost's main server data center is located in Texas, USA. All servers are fully managed. This makes it a great option for those who need dedicated server hosting services, but are not technical experts. You can expect to have your server up and running in less than half an hour each year thanks to their 99.995% uptime guarantee. Uptime is a really important part of who you want to go with for your dedicated server.
Upgrades to your server can be made at an additional cost, including more RAM, drive space and bandwidth. There is no money back guarantee offered to dedicated server users though and no phone support. Their email support is quick and helpful. They also have excellent ticket support. Users report that it takes as little as ten to 15 minutes for someone else to respond to them when there is a problem.
KnownHost does NOT offer a special discount for the first month. It is focused on dedicated server users so it has the expertise to deal with any queries. It is not one of the more popular or well-known options for dedicated servers, but those who do try are positive in general about their experiences.
6. GameServers.com
GameServers.com offers VPS and dedicated hosting options. Additionally, they offer specific games like Rust and Minecraft. It offers 20% discount on some plans and voice servers. It offers instant activations, 24/7 customer support, and a large network of gaming servers. There really seems to be a mixed bag of reviews for GameServers.com as an option to host your dedicated game servers. Some people praise their support and the server response time, while others are critical.
If you like the look of this platform for hosting your dedicated servers perhaps because of the higher server RAM, be aware there is no uptime promise that I could find. They are though certainly a more affordable option so perhaps worth trying out.
There are 4 plans for dedicated game servers, E3-1220 the cheapest, E3-1240v3, E31270v5 and E5-1650v3. Here's a closer view of those plans.
E3-1220 – The cheapest option at $69.99 per month
- 4 Cores x 3.0Ghz Processor - 16GB RAM – HDD 1TB Bandwidth 10TB – DDoS Mitigation 10Gbps
E3-1240v3 – $99.99 per month
- 4 Cores x 3.4Ghz w/ HT CPU - 32 GB RAM - 120 GB SSD - Bandwidth is10TB - DDoS Mitigation 10Gbps
E3-1270v5 - $109.99 a month
- 4 Cores, x 3.6-4.0Ghz with HT CPU – 32GB RAM – 240GB SSD Bandwidth is10TB – DDoS mitigation 10Gbps
E5-1650v3 – $179.99 per month
6 Cores at 3.5GHz w/ HT CPU. 64 GB RAM and 240 GB SSD. Bandwidth is 10.TB. DDoS Mitigation 10Gbps.
GameServers.com boasts over 300,000 registered users. They are more focused on gamers to bring in customers. There is a mixed bag of reviews though and I could find no uptime guarantee. Although it is the most affordable dedicated server hosting option, it is not clear if this makes it the best.
One thing I like about them is that you can see all the games they offer. They also have a map of their global locations. The choice of voice servers, Teamspeak Mumble, Ventrilo and Mumble are easy to see and learn about. Whereas other companies feel more like hosting services in general, this one feels like it knows what gamers want.
7. A2Hosting
A2Hosting are a lesser known hosting platform that have something to offer people looking for dedicated game servers. There are actually four plans and three management levels with their high performance servers. This is to meet the needs of the two different types of users that want dedicated servers. Some users have some technical knowledge but want the ability to control unmanaged options. There are also those who want managed servers, where all worries are taken care of and there is very little or no work.
There are three options: Unmanaged Flex Server, the cheapest, and Discount SSD server. Managed Flex Server and Core Flex Server are the most popular options. There are three plans available: Sprint, Exceed, and Mach. When you click on each one, they then each have those more specific plans. You basically have a choice of 12 options. Here's a closer look.
Unmanaged Flex Server - three plans, Sprint, Exceed and Mach all of which are great for developers as they are customizable prices range from $119.99 to $299.99;
Root access granted to the user - 2-8 cores, 8-16 GB RAM, 2x500-2 x 1000GB storage, Bandwidth of 10TB to 20TB, SSL optional
All 3 plans include SSD Server Discounts starting at $192.99 to $372.99
Root access granted to you - Free control panel for cPanel Full hostguard management - 2x128GB SSD – 10-20TB transfer –8-16GB RAM- 2-8 cores. Free SSL
Managed Flex Server starting at $169.99 to $349.99 per month with 3 plans available;
- No root access given - Free cPanel control panel - Full hostguard management - 2 x 500 to 2 x 1000 GB storage - 10 to 20 TB transfer - 8 to 16 GB RAM - 2 to 8 cores - Free SSL
Core Flex Server starting at $169.99/month to $349.99 with 3 plans available
Root access given to the customer - No cost cPanel control panel. Full hostguard management. 2 x 500- to 2x 1000GB storage. 10 to 20 TB transfer. 8 to 16GB RAM. 2 to 8 cores. Free SSL
They offer a 99.9% uptime warranty and are fast, secure, and reliable. They include cPanel (which can sometimes come with an additional fee) and offer a anytime money back guarantee. You should make sure that you have complete control over your account. Also be sure you have the time to spend on those things, it will after all take up some of your gaming time.
8. LiquidWeb
Because of its reliability, speed, and affordability LiquidWeb is one of my top choices for dedicated server hosting services. It is a good hosting provider and is especially suited to those with no time or skill with managing the servers, it is all done for you. They are secure, can use Windows or Linux, and offer a 100% uptime and network guarantee.
This service provider divides their plans between single-processor servers and dual processor servers. There are 4 plans that can be used for single processors and 3 that can be used for dual processors. The cheapest plan costs $199 per month for a single processor, and then it goes up to $599 per month for the highest end of dual processor options.
Single Processor plans run from $199 to $389 a month and offer;
- Between 4 to 6 cores - 5 GHz to 4.0 GHz - 16 GB RAM to 32 GB RAM - 2 x 250 GB to 2 x 500 GB - SSD primary storage - 1 TB SATA Backup drive - 5 TB bandwidth to 10 TB bandwidth - DDOS protection included - Guardian backups - Hardware Firewall
Dual Processor plans start at $399 to $599 per month.
There are 16-24 cores. - 1GHz to 2.2GHz. 32GB RAM to 64GB RAM. 2x480GB. Enterprise SSD primary drive. 1TB to 4TB SATA backup drive. 8 TB Bandwidth. 15 TB. DDOS protection. Guardian backups. Hardware Firewall.
Another positive aspect about this server host is that they don't charge setup fees and have high RAM which allows them to easily handle popular multiplayer games like Counter-Strike or WOW. They offer discounts to new users for the first 3 months.
They also have great support promises with a 59 second guarantee on live chat or the phone, or half an hour via email or ticket. However their usual prices are one of the higher in this 10 best of list. This is not the best choice if you don't know how to pay for your server.
9. OVH.com
Although OVH.com might not be as popular as other dedicated server hosting services, it does have something to offer. One million users agree with me. Its data centers can be found around the world, including Singapore, Australia, the UK, Europe and North America.
Their dedicated servers are designed specifically for gaming mean you can have access to voice chat, host the most popular games and do it securely with DDoS protection. Game 32 is the most affordable plan at $83.99 per Month, Game 64 is OC and Game 64 is the most expensive at $83.99 per Month.
These plans are more closely examined in the following:
Game 32 starts at $83.99 per Month
- 4 core and 8 Threads – 4 GHz to 4.2 GHz – 32 GB RAM – 2 x 480 GB & 1x4TB SSD - DDOS Protection included - 500 GB storage Root access given — Control panel
Game 64 starting at $118.99 a month
- 4 core and 8 threads 64 GB RAM, 2 GHz to 2.5 GHz - 1x4TB SSD + 2 x450GB NVme - DDOS protection includes – 500 GB storage – Root access given – Control panel
Game 64 OC starting at $118.99 a Month
- Intel I7-7700K OC 4 cores and 8 threads - 7GHz to 5GHz – 64GB RAM – 2x450GB NVMe + 4TB SATA – DDOS protection included. - 500GB storage Root access given — Control panel
Although this is definitely on the lower end of other host providers' offerings, there are additional configurations and fees that you should be aware of. OVH.com is a great option for those who have some experience because there are so many options to choose from. This hosting platform may seem a little too complicated for people with only a basic understanding of the subject.
10.
1&1 IONOS1&1Hosting recently merged into another company. They have renamed their company 1&1 IONOS. However, they have promised that nothing will be changed for existing server owners. They will continue to offer what they offer. They have other types of hosting options as well as the dedicated gamer server hosting like shared and VPS and are committed to offering powerful and user friendly dedicated hardware.
There are two types of packages, HDD or SSD/NVMe. There are 4 plans available for each type. For HDD, there are four plans: A8i HDD (the cheapest) at $70 per months, L-16 HDD ($80 per month), XL32 HDD ($110 a monthly) and XL64 HDD ($140 a mois). Although these prices seem very low, I will add that there is $50 setup fee for each one. It is worth looking into additional costs. These HDD plans offer the following:
- 4 to 8 cores - 4 GHz to 3.8 GHz - $70 to $140 a month cost - $50 setup fee - 8 to 64 GB RAM - Software or Hardware RAID 1 - 1000 GB to 2000 GB storage - Unlimited traffic - Free domain - SiteLock malware protection included - RailGun content delivery network
You get the following benefits with SSD/NVMe Plans
- 4 to 8 cores - 4 GHz to 3.8 GHz - $75 to $170 a month cost - $50 setup fee - 8 to 64 GB RAM - Software or Hardware RAID 1 - 240 GB SSD storage to 480 GB SSD storage or 1000 GB NVMe SSD storage - Unlimited traffic - Free domain - SiteLock malware protection included - RailGun content delivery network
Because of their affordability, 1&1 has been a great option for dedicated server hosting. Although servers can be found in Europe, they are also available globally. It is simple to host games such a WOW or Minecraft and you can choose between Linux or Windows servers.
1&1 offers a lot. You can have automatic backups for up to 6 days if you need them and they promise faster loading times. You can manage the server via a control panel, but not as administrator. DDoS protection is available to ensure maximum security. For new users, they offer a discount of up to 30% for the first 3 months.
7 Tips to Choose a Dedicated Server for Gaming
Sometimes the old saying that you get what your pay for is true is true. This is why it is so well-known. It can be true when it comes to dedicated server hosting, but there are good deals available with reliable hosts. Dedicated servers are the top in terms of performance and power in the hosting options and they are the most private. You shouldn't have to worry about anyone stealing your storage space or about lag. These are 7 tips to help you evaluate the top ten hosts.
1) You don't have to use the most advanced technology dedicated server hosting service for your first time. Take into account factors such as bandwidth, storage, operating systems, memory CPU, disk space and operating system. Make an estimate of the growth that you anticipate over the next couple years and choose a service that can support those needs. Be aware that some services will have extra fees.
2) You could save money by taking on more management. Some hosts offer the option of fully managed or not managed plans. Others even offer partially managed plans. These are some of the premium services that providers might offer.
- Performance optimization – Malware and antivirus scans; Monitoring the system; Recovery; Rule and regulation compliance; Updates to the operating systems and the software; Load balancing; SysAdmin dedicated time - Configuration for automatic scaling
Some providers charge higher fees for these services. If you have the expertise and knowledge to make this happen, you might consider hosting plans that allow you to do so. Although it will require more effort, you could make significant savings in the long-term.
3) Downtime is costly. You need to choose a host that is reliable, has great uptime guarantees, and offers excellent communication options should you need. Just 3 hours of being down for Amazon Web Services meant companies lost around $150 million. The standard promise for 99.9% would mean approximately 45 minutes of downtime each month, which is acceptable.
4) Take a look at the security features and pay extra if necessary. Hacking is a real problem even with dedicated game servers. Gaming is a huge business. This is not the place to save money if you're trying to keep your budget tight. Look out for firewalls, SSL certificates, and DDoS protection.
5) Be flexible and allow yourself to grow.
6) The host should not charge for support. Support should be available 24/7. You should have access to a variety forms and a quick response time. Running dedicated game servers makes you one of their premium clients and you should be treated as such. You should also find lots of resources on forums and websites that provide tutorials, FAQs, and other useful information.
7) Choose upgrades over customization. If you only purchase what you require when it is customized, you will have more money available to improve the performance and security on your server. The following should be your top priorities:
- Firewalls - Security - Caching tools - Disaster recovery - High availability - Supercharged DNS - DDoS protection - Load balancing - Dedicated IP address - Content delivery network
Dedicated Game Servers Hosting FAQ
What is an online dedicated server game server? This refers to a computer which runs a server code that allows more than one player to play the exact same game at the time.
How does a dedicated server work? There are different ways to set up a server depending usually on what game is being played. They are always available, even if players are not connected to them. All players must leave after a session is started.
Who runs dedicated game servers? Most console games' servers are managed by the game developer or distributor. There are many that can be set-up by a group of gamers, and you have more options with PC games. If you opt to run a game server you can set your own rules, create a deeper experience and have more control. You decide what player level caps are for example, what punishments are given to cheaters or what the latency requirements will be.
Is it possible to set up a dedicated server on a computer at home? Some games can allow this. Player one can set up their computer as the server, connect to localhost and then players 2 and on can login to their IP address and join them and play. However, this can be difficult due to firewalls and blocked IP ports. You will also not be able host many players in this way. Another problem you might face is that it is difficult to manage a game this way consistently. Most home internet providers too will either not allow it or expect you to pay for a dedicated IP address.
When would a dedicated server be needed? If you are going to be hosting games and expect to have 12 or more players regularly playing that is a good time to get a dedicated server. If you plan to have a game that will never shut down, also known as a persistent state, or if there is matchmaking from a lobby, it is a good idea to get a dedicated server. If the cost is a problem some ask for donations from players but check with the game being played.
What does it mean for a game developer to be successful? You will basically have to do a lot of managing, setting up, thinking about things like CPU, memory, bandwidth.
What are the most played games on dedicated server gaming servers? It changes from year to year and from one country to another slightly. But right now popular multiplayer games include Minecraft, League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter Strike, MMORPGS like WOW and many more.
Dedicated server providers all seem to be the same, how do I choose the right one for the game I want to set up? Think about the game and decide what is most important to make it a success. Minecraft, for instance, needs a lot storage and memory. FPS games have less so consider plans that have more.
For example, network latency is crucial if you host a first person shooter. Consider what your game requires and identify the providers that can provide it. Consider where the servers are located and then look at their prices.
Once I have my server, how can I set up a specific gaming session? It varies from game to game so I am unable to offer a guide. Some cases are simple and easy to follow. If you have trouble, look online for a tutorial specific your game.
What is DDoS protection, and why is it important? It is basically protection against someone hacking or attacking your server. DDoS is distributed denial or service. It is an important component of your server's security.
What is Soft and Hard RAID? It is another way to protect the data on your server. It stands for redundant array with independent disks. It puts the same data in different places, so that in case of failure of any kind, the data is still available elsewhere. Soft Raid refers to software, while Hard RAID refers to hardware. These are usually included in higher priced plans or additional fees.
Private or public? A public server is accessible to everyone and can be played by everyone. If you are happy to meet new people and have a more varied number of players you are hosting that is fine.
Private servers are password protected and are only for you and the friends you wish to add.
What are voice chat server? These servers allow you to join other players and play multiplayer games. They also allow you to talk or voice to others. Mumble, Teamspeak, Ventrilo are all common voice chat options.
How to choose between specialized game servers or normal server hosting? If you have some experience and are tech-savvy, then you can opt for an unmanaged server that you can set up yourself. It is possible to get everything exactly how you want it. You can also save money and find an online tutorial for installing the games.
If you have not had experience with servers but know how to install and configure the games and run the server opt for a managed option
You don't need any experience to use a specialized host service. They offer one-click installation and pre-configured servers.
Can I make a dedicated server for gaming to make a profit. No. Some games have rules about charging you to play if you have it on your private server. If you want to create a server do it for the love of the game!
What is Uptime? This is how much time the service provider are promising your server will be available online to use. This does not include any downtime for maintenance or upgrades. Many servers promise up to 99% uptime, so why pay for a server down all the time when you can get better services?
There are many things to consider when choosing the best dedicated server hosting service. It is important to determine what your server should do best: speed, memory, bandwidth. Different games require different requirements. The next step is to determine what price range you can afford.
Many service providers offer lower prices for the first few months. That is great as it saves you some money but make sure you know what that regular monthly price is going to be. Also check what you are getting included with your plan. Some plans will charge extra for security and set-up, while others may charge additional fees. Find out where those extra costs come from and if they are worth it.
Profit from the money-back offers. You do not have to stay with the provider you go with first. You might find something better, or maybe you'll find something better all by yourself. Change to something better if that is what you want.
I like BlueHost in general. Although it is not the cheapest option, it is one of the most affordable. It has excellent support, good plans, and a good reputation. All of the options mentioned above have merit. If you don’t find the answers you need, go to their websites. Remember that they will tell your story and they are great!
You will need to be patient, financially secure, and willing to put in the time and effort required to run a dedicated server for game hosting. Even though technical skills can help, you don't necessarily need to be a skilled programmer. But there is still time to be spent doing it. You can expect to receive fast and secure servers, great support and the ability handle different volumes of traffic.
