Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players experiencing lag, crashes, or slow performance, especially those running mods or large worlds.
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Allocating More RAM to Minecraft Java Edition
Minecraft’s default RAM allocation is often too low for smooth gameplay, especially with mods or large worlds. Here’s how to give your game the memory it needs.
Method 1: Through the Minecraft Launcher
The easiest way is using the official launcher’s built-in settings:
- Open the Minecraft Launcher
- Click “Installations” at the top
- Find your game version and click the three dots (⋯)
- Select “Edit”
- Click “More Options” to expand advanced settings
- Look for “JVM Arguments” – you’ll see something like
-Xmx2G - Change the number before “G” to allocate more gigabytes (e.g.,
-Xmx4Gfor 4GB) - Save and launch your game
Method 2: Using Third-Party Launchers
Popular launchers like CurseForge, ATLauncher, or MultiMC offer simpler RAM allocation:
- CurseForge: Go to Settings → Minecraft → scroll to “Allocated Memory”
- ATLauncher: Settings → Java/Minecraft → Maximum Memory/RAM
- MultiMC: Right-click instance → Edit Instance → Settings → Java → Memory
How Much RAM Should You Allocate?
| Setup Type | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|
| Vanilla Minecraft | 2-4GB |
| Light modpacks (10-50 mods) | 4-6GB |
| Heavy modpacks (100+ mods) | 6-8GB |
| Extreme modpacks or servers | 8-12GB |
Important: Don’t allocate more than 50-70% of your total system RAM. If you have 8GB total, don’t give Minecraft more than 4-6GB.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If Minecraft won’t start after changing RAM allocation:
- Make sure you’re using 64-bit Java (32-bit can’t handle more than 4GB)
- Check that you have enough free RAM on your system
- Try reducing the allocation amount
- Verify the JVM argument syntax is correct (no spaces in
-Xmx4G)
You can monitor RAM usage in-game by pressing F3 to see if your allocation is working properly. For players looking to explore different Minecraft experiences with optimized performance, there are various game modes and challenges worth trying.
TL;DR
Allocate more RAM to Minecraft through the launcher’s JVM Arguments (-Xmx4G for 4GB) or third-party launcher settings. Don’t exceed 50-70% of your total system RAM.
