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Better MC server hosting: RAM, plan and setup (BMC4 and BMC5)

4 min readUpdated Nov 3, 2026Copy link

Better MC is a vanilla-plus pack by LunaPixel Studios with new world generation, dungeons, bosses and quality-of-life mods. Two editions are current: BMC4 on Forge 1.20.1 and BMC5 on NeoForge 1.21.1.

Which Better MC #

Both are on CurseForge. BMC4 is also on Modrinth, so the panel's modpack installer can set it up. Pick the edition your players already have; a BMC4 client can't join a BMC5 server.

Both packs list built-in world sharing for playing with friends. That runs on a player's own computer, so the world is only online while they play. A server keeps it online all the time.

How much RAM Better MC needs #

Better MC's CurseForge pages don't state a RAM number for servers or players (checked Nov 3, 2026).

Our practical range (an estimate, not from the pack). Better MC is mostly world generation, structures and mobs, so memory goes up quickly as players explore new land:

Pre-generating the area around spawn and setting a world border cuts both RAM and lag a lot on world-gen heavy packs like this. See fix "Can't keep up" for how.

Which ESN plan fits #

Forge and NeoForge need a plan with at least 2 GB on ESN. Prices are the regular monthly list prices; see plans and billing.

CPU

On ESN, 100% CPU is one full core. Minecraft runs most game logic on one main thread, so a big modpack needs a strong core more than many cores. The extra cores still help with chunk loading, world generation and Java garbage collection, which modpacks do a lot of. The Minecraft-ready Pro plans give more CPU per GB (ESN Pro 8GB has 400%, ESN Extreme 8 GB has 250%), so pick Pro when players explore a lot or the pack has heavy automation.

Set up Better MC on ESN #

BMC4 with the modpack installer

1. Buy a plan and choose Forge as the Minecraft type.
2. Open Files and choose Install a modpack. Search for Better MC [FORGE] - BMC4 and choose Install pack. It downloads the pack's server mods and config files from Modrinth and sets the Minecraft and loader versions on the Startup page. Files with the same name are kept, so take a backup first if the server already has a world.
3. When it says installed, go to Settings and choose Reinstall Server (Fabric servers show a Reinstall now button) so the matching loader is downloaded.
4. In Startup, set Docker Image to Java 17.
5. Start the server, accept the EULA prompt, and wait for Done.

BMC5 (or BMC4 from CurseForge)

1. Buy a plan and choose NeoForge (BMC5) or Forge (BMC4) as the Minecraft type (see the plan table above).
2. Open Startup. Set the Minecraft version to 1.21.1 (BMC5) or 1.20.1 (BMC4) and the NeoForge (BMC5) or Forge (BMC4) version to the one the pack uses (it is in the server files or on the pack's file page). In Docker Image, pick Java 21 for BMC5, Java 17 for BMC4.
3. Go to Settings and choose Reinstall Server so the panel downloads that loader version. Do this before you upload anything you care about.
4. Download the official server files on your computer and unzip them. On the pack's CurseForge page open Files, pick the version your players use and download its server pack from Additional Files.
5. Upload the pack's folders (mods, config and any others it ships, like defaultconfigs or kubejs) to the top folder. Zip them, upload in Files and choose Unarchive, or use SFTP for big packs. You don't need the pack's start scripts or installer jar. See upload files.
6. Press Start on the Console. Accept the EULA prompt (or set eula=true in eula.txt).
7. Wait for the Done line. The first start of a big pack takes a few minutes. Then join with the same pack version.

RAM and Java flags: you don't edit -Xmx on ESN. The panel starts the server and sets its memory from your plan, so the pack's own user_jvm_args.txt and start scripts are not used. If you need custom startup flags, ask in the ESN Systems Discord. See startup settings and the startup flags generator for what the flags do.

Common problems #

• "Can't keep up! Is the server overloaded?" Normal once during the first start. If it repeats while people play, profile it with spark and fix the top cause. See fix "Can't keep up".
• Players can't join, "mismatched mod list" or missing mods. Every player needs the exact same pack version as the server. Update the server and all players together.
• The server crashes at start with a client-only mod. Shaders, minimaps and menu mods sometimes only run on the client. Use the official server files, which leave them out, and don't copy your client mods folder.
• "Unsupported class file major version" or UnsupportedClassVersionError. Wrong Java version. Change Docker Image in Startup and restart.
• OutOfMemoryError or the server stops under load. The pack needs more RAM than your plan has. Lower view-distance or move to a bigger plan. See Minecraft RAM.
• A client-only mod crashes the server. Better MC includes shader presets and a minimap on the client. Use the official server pack, not your client folder.

FAQ #

How much RAM does a Better MC server need?

The pack doesn't state a number. We suggest 6 to 8 GB for up to 4 players, 8 to 12 GB for 5 to 10 and 12 to 16 GB beyond that.

What's the difference between BMC4 and BMC5?

BMC4 runs on Forge for Minecraft 1.20.1. BMC5 runs on NeoForge for Minecraft 1.21.1. Players and the server must use the same edition and version.

Do I need a server if Better MC has world sharing?

World sharing runs on a player's computer, so the world is only online while that player is. A server keeps it online all the time.

Sources: Better MC [FORGE] BMC4 on CurseForge (Forge 1.20.1, 350+ mods, v62hf; no RAM figure stated) (checked Nov 3, 2026) · Better MC [NEOFORGE] BMC5 on CurseForge (NeoForge 1.21.1, 320+ mods, v54; no RAM figure stated) (checked Nov 3, 2026) · Better MC [FORGE] - BMC4 on Modrinth (checked Nov 3, 2026)

Still stuck? Use the live chat on the panel or ask in the ESN Systems Discord. Last updated November 3, 2026.