Checklist for Choosing the Ideal VPS for Your Needs
Greetings!
In today's article, I want to build a checklist for choosing a VPS tailored to your specific needs. Every hosting provider offers at least four standard VPS packages, but not everyone understands which one is right for them or what to look for when buying.
I created this article so you don't overpay for "premium" resources if you just have a website with a thousand visitors. In this article, we will consider:
How to choose the number of cores?
Which storage (disk) is better to use?
Specifics of choosing RAM.
How to choose a server location and its impact?
DDoS protection and IPv6 availability?
Scalability and support?
Port speed and traffic?
I will explain everything point by point, and by the end of the article, you will understand which VPS you should choose for your project. Enjoy the read!
1. How to Choose the Right Number of Cores?
Many believe that "more is better" when choosing a server. In theory, that's true, but more cores mean a higher price, and everyone wants to save money.
First of all, a lot depends on the processor and its frequency. For example, one Intel core at 2.0 GHz and one Ryzen core at 4.5 GHz are completely different things. If your project is a small business card site or an online store with low traffic, 1-2 Intel cores will be enough. However, if you are running a game server or an application with a high load, you should go for Ryzen to ensure reliability and peace of mind that the project won't freeze at the most critical moment.
Important nuance! Make sure the provider offers scalability so you can start small and upgrade to a powerful package if necessary.
2. Which Storage is Better to Use?
Currently, HDD, SSD, and NVMe are used. Why overpay for NVMe if HDD also works? It's simple: NVMe is the latest type of drive that significantly increases server speed. You will be able to upload files, make changes, and update packages faster. In 2026, this is a key factor for performance.
3. RAM (Random Access Memory)
Many forget that each OS consumes a different amount of RAM. For example, Windows Server requires at least 4 GB for stable operation, while Ubuntu (console version) can run on just 1 GB.
Case study: A client once insisted on installing Windows Server on 1 GB of RAM. Naturally, the server lagged terribly. After our explanation, he switched to 4 GB and was satisfied. Choose your RAM wisely: its lack is the most common cause of project "crashes."
4. Server Location and Its Impact
If your clients are in the USA but the server is in Europe, high latency and ping are inevitable. Place the server as close as possible to your target audience. This reduces page load times, increases customer trust, and improves loyalty from search engines. If you have clients from all over the world, use CDN technology.
5. DDoS Protection and IPv6
This is the "base." DDoS protection is a guarantee that the server won't "go down" from an attack that even a schoolboy could arrange. The presence of IPv6 is the standard of the future. About 40-50% of global companies have already switched to this protocol, and its availability in a service package is a big plus.
6. Scalability and Support
Good tech support saves your nerves. Any failure that isn't your fault should be resolved by the provider quickly and professionally. Scalability allows you to upgrade your package (for example, add RAM or CPU) in a couple of minutes without reinstalling the system. At MivoCloud, this is done upon request: you pay the invoice, and within minutes, the server becomes more powerful.
7. Port and Traffic
The standard today is 1 Gbps. This is enough for most websites and game servers. Speeds of 5-10 Gbps are needed for specific tasks (streaming, VPN nodes, heavy file-sharing services).
Be careful with limits:
Hidden costs: Fees for exceeding traffic limits can be very high.
Speed drops: After exhausting the package (e.g., 3 TB), the port speed often drops to 10 Mbps—this paralyzes the website's operation.
Backups: Remember that daily data copying to external storage also consumes your traffic.
My advice: Look for plans labeled Unlimited Traffic.
Conclusion
Now you have a step-by-step plan for choosing your VPS. Don't overpay for resources you won't use, but never skimp on critical components like NVMe drives or DDoS protection. Remember, a well-chosen server is the foundation of your project's success.
If you are still unsure which package to choose, contact our sales department. We will analyze your task and help you find the perfect balance between price and performance!
FAQ
Should I get more cores "just in case"? Only for heavy projects. For a simple business card site — no.
HDD is cheaper; should I take it? Only if speed is not important to you at all. In modern realities, HDD is suitable only for storing cold archives, not for running a website.
Can I change the location after purchase? Usually, no. This requires buying a new server and migrating data, so choose wisely from the start. However, you can check this with your hosting provider before purchasing.
Author: Anatolie Cohaniuc