Why do you use a VPS? A Virtual Private Server can be used for web hosting, business operations, forex/cryptocurrency trading, or even gaming. You may work remotely and need better resources like RAM, CPU, and storage. Whatever the reason is, you need a VPS that is fast and performing well. But, what can affect the performance of a VPS?
There are many factors that can increase or decrease your virtual private server’s performance, and location is one of them. VPS location is especially important to traders and gamers because it directly affects VPS speeds and latency. Server location is also important for web hosting. Say you want to host a website in France. You don’t actually have to be in France. All You’ll need is a Europe VPS hosting plan so you can host your website in France or anywhere else in Europe remotely from your own location.
How do location and other factors affect VPS performance? Let’s break the subject down together.
5 Factors that Affect VPS Speed
Different factors help improve your VPS performance. The five factors you are about to read about are the main elements that you need to keep an eye on to have a fast-performing VPS:
- RAM
RAM or Random Access Memory is the short-term memory of your computer. It’s the component that stores short-term data that a system needs to function. The faster the RAM, the faster the data processing speed. Virtual private servers have their own dedicated RAM, and VPS providers offer different plans with different RAM sizes. You can start with a VPS with 2 GB RAM. But, if you want a fast VPS, you can go up to 8 or 16 GB RAM. Although, beware not to overkill your VPS. The amount of RAM you need depends on your daily server use. For example, 8 GB RAM is suitable for a game server, while 64 GB RAM is simply too much.
- SSD/HDD
Moving on from RAM to storage is another factor affecting VPS speed. For years, normal computers have used the good ol’ HDD (hard disk drive). Later on, when SSD (solid state drive) was introduced, it slowly replaced HDD, especially in laptops. But, SSD didn’t stop there and became a popular option for servers as well. SSD is fast, reliable, and stays intact even during power loss. There are two types of VPS when it comes to storage: SSD VPS and Non-SSD VPS. Trust me, you would want to stay away from Non-SSD VPS if you are looking for a fast-performing VPS.
- Bandwidth
Bandwidth is a factor hugely critical for using a VPS for online businesses like web hosting. Bandwidth is the term used to describe the maximum amount of data transferred when someone visits your website. How does bandwidth affect VPS speed? Basically, a low bandwidth slows your VPS performance, causing lags and latency when using the VPS. This is a great trouble for web hosters, traders, and game server owners.
- Geographic Distance
When we talk about server location and geographical distance, people usually assume that the closer the server is to their location, the better their VPS will function. But, that is purely a myth. The only way location affects VPS speed is by choosing a server far from your target audience. For example, if you are a Forex trader and want to trade in the European market, it’s a bad idea to choose a VPS in the US. Simply put, choose a VPS location in the area you want to work in, not close to where you actually live.
- Network Connection
You may have the best RAM, CPU, SSD, bandwidth, and location, but as long as you don’t have a solid network connection, you can’t use your VPS to the fullest. Remote servers like VPS work through the network. That’s why your network connection can affect VPS speed and performance.
What is Latency and How to Measure it?
You already noticed that I used the word latency, right? Latency is directly associated with connection speed and bandwidth. It is the time it takes for data and information to travel from the source to the destination.
Neither network connection nor bandwidth directly means “speed.” Let me explain this through an example. Think about a highway. Bandwidth tells you how narrow or wide the highway is. Latency tells you how fast a car can get through the highway. In simple terms, latency means delay.
We measure latency in milliseconds. The lower the milliseconds’ number is, the faster your VPS will perform.
How to Choose the Best VPS Location for Your Game Server?
Probably the most amusing way to use a VPS is to run a game server. Online games like Minecraft allow you to host your own game server to play with your friends and your online gamer community. You can literally add more than 150 users to play on your game server. You have to choose your server based on the resources you need. For example, an 8 GB RAM VPS is great if you have 90+ players. There’s also another factor when choosing a gaming server; Location.
Choosing the right location depends on your server provider and your audience, in this case, the players. To choose the right VPS for game server, consider these factors:
- Natural Disaster Safety
Your server’s safety and security must be your number one concern when choosing a location. You have to go for server providers that are located in areas safe from natural disasters. The server provider must be able to guarantee minimum or zero power outages and connection issues.
- Players’ Location
If you already have a group of players eager to play on your game server, do a little survey and see where the majority of them are based. If you are just starting out, check where in the world are your target players most active. Knowing where your players are based greatly helps you in choosing the right location for your game server. The closer your server is to the players, the smoother your server will function.
Is It Common to Have Multiple Servers in Different Locations?
Another term you will come across when researching server locations is Multi-Server Environment. In a multi-server environment, each one of your resources (RAM, CPU, etc.) is allocated on a different server. This allows you to have a smooth-running VPS. Because a single server, no matter how powerful, is not responsible for providing everything for you and other VPS users on the same server.
Is it common? Not yet. But, more businesses are shifting to multi-server services because of the resource security multi-server services are offering. If you run a huge company or a high-traffic website with sensitive data, give multi-server environments a shot.
VPS, Location, and Performance — A Wrap-Up
Location and geographical distance, alongside other factors, affect how your VPS performs. Performance and speed are the main components that define a “good” VPS service. By now, you should be able to choose the right location for your VPS. When choosing a VPS provider, go for one that offers you the right resources at a reasonable price in the right location.
