More concurrent requests and heavier population/filtering raise Node.js and database load.
High-traffic content APIs.Strapi Hardware Requirements: RAM, CPU, Storage & Database
Plan Strapi hardware using its official 1-core, 2 GB RAM and 8 GB minimum, plus database, build and media-storage requirements on ZimaOS.
Strapi requirements at a glance
Strapi has a clear current hardware table, and production sizing must also include the database, admin build and uploaded media.
- Minimum
- 1 CPU core, 2 GB RAM and 8 GB disk.
- Recommended
- 2+ CPU cores, 4 GB+ RAM and 32 GB+ disk.
- Node.js
- Current Strapi 5 docs support active/maintenance LTS releases; currently Node.js 22, 24 and 26.
- Database
- Current supported minimums include PostgreSQL 14, MySQL 8.0, MariaDB 10.3 and SQLite 3.
- Docker
- Strapi does not ship an official generic Docker image; you normally build a project-specific image.
- Best Zima starting point
- ZimaBoard 2 832 comfortably exceeds Strapi's recommended CPU/RAM profile; use external SSD/database storage for production content and media.
From official requirements to the right setup
Start with Strapi's official minimum/recommended table, then add database and media requirements.
-
Official requirements
Reserve at least 1 core, 2 GB RAM and 8 GB disk; target 2+ cores, 4 GB+ RAM and 32 GB+ disk for a recommended baseline.
-
Confirm your needs
Choose a supported database and keep production database data on durable storage. PostgreSQL 14+ is a common fit for self-hosting.
-
Leave room to grow
Account for admin-panel build steps and uploaded media. Build-time dependency work and media growth can exceed the steady-state API footprint.
-
Run it on ZimaOS
On ZimaOS, use Install Custom App with your own project-specific Strapi Docker image and database service because Strapi does not publish one generic official container image.
Check every playback client
- 1+ CPU core
- 2 GB+ RAM
- 8 GB+ disk
- Supported Node LTS
- Database version
- Media storage
- Build pipeline
- Backup retention
Official minimum requirements
Strapi 5 currently publishes explicit minimum and recommended server hardware values.
Use the official numbers directly, but keep database and media capacity separate from the bare application disk baseline.
| Requirement | Official minimum | What this supports |
|---|---|---|
| CPU minimum | 1 core | Current official minimum. |
| CPU recommended | 2+ cores | Current official recommendation. |
| RAM minimum | 2 GB | Current official minimum. |
| RAM recommended | 4 GB+ | Current official recommendation. |
| Disk minimum | 8 GB | Current official minimum. |
| Disk recommended | 32 GB+ | Current official recommendation. |
| PostgreSQL minimum | 14.0 | Current supported minimum database version. |
When to upgrade your hardware
Strapi should scale when traffic, build activity, database load or media growth outgrows the recommended baseline.
API traffic and content queries increase
Media and content history grow
Builds and plugins increase resource bursts
Uploads and database state can become the primary storage requirement.
Media-heavy CMS deployments.Admin builds and plugin ecosystems can use more CPU/RAM than steady-state runtime.
Customized Strapi projects.Plan hardware growth with confidence
Scale Strapi around database, media and request concurrency.
Use SSD-backed database storage
Low-latency durable storage benefits PostgreSQL/MySQL and backups.
Use SATA/NVMe with ZimaBoard 2 or SSD tiers on ZimaCube 2.Use ZimaBoard 2 832 for normal production projects
8 GB and four cores are above Strapi's recommended 4 GB/2-core baseline.
ZimaBoard 2 832.Use 16 GB for heavier plugins and co-hosted services
Extra RAM benefits the database, build jobs and other containers.
ZimaBoard 2 1664.Use ZimaCube for large media libraries or higher concurrency
More CPU and multi-drive storage help when the CMS becomes a larger application platform.
ZimaCube 2 Pro.Can it run on ZimaOS?
No public official ZimaOS one-click Strapi App Store detail page was verified for this guide. Use the Custom Install route unless a concrete current listing is confirmed at publish time.
Custom install Strapi in ZimaOS
Build a project-specific Strapi image, add a supported database, persist media/database data and map the Strapi port behind HTTPS.
Custom install Strapi in the ZimaOS app ↗Use Strapi's official deployment requirements
Follow the current upstream deployment documentation rather than relying on outdated third-party examples.
Review Strapi deployment guidance ↗Use a project-specific Docker image
Use the current upstream requirements and dependency versions when preparing the container stack.
Review Strapi requirements ↗Choose Zima hardware for Strapi
Strapi's recommended baseline fits ZimaBoard 2 832; larger Zima systems are justified by database, media and traffic growth.
Is this a normal CMS/API project or a larger media/high-traffic deployment?
Normal CMS/API workload
Use ZimaBoard 2 832 with SSD-backed database and media storage.
- Best starting pointZimaBoard 2 832
- More app headroomZimaBoard 2 1664
Large media / higher concurrency
Use stronger CPU and expandable storage.
- Higher-headroom platformZimaCube 2 Pro
These are practical mappings to Strapi's published hardware table, not throughput guarantees.
| Zima hardware | Best for | Example workload | Core configuration | Recommended boundary | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZimaBoard 2 832 | Normal Strapi production projects. | Strapi, PostgreSQL/MySQL and moderate traffic/media. |
|
Add durable database/media storage; 32 GB eMMC is not ideal for growing production data. | Get Now |
| ZimaBoard 2 1664 | Customized Strapi plus more services. | More plugin/build/database headroom and co-hosted containers. |
|
The N150 remains a compact-server CPU. | Get Now |
| ZimaCube 2 Pro | Larger Strapi applications. | Higher request concurrency, more media and broader service consolidation. |
|
Application architecture and database tuning still determine real throughput. | Get Now |
What the Press Says
Highlights from trusted reviewers worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
These answers cover Strapi RAM, CPU, storage, databases, Docker and ZimaOS deployment.
How much RAM does Strapi need?
Strapi's current minimum is 2 GB RAM and the recommended baseline is 4 GB or more.
How many CPU cores does Strapi need?
Current minimum is 1 core and recommended is 2 or more cores.
How much disk does Strapi need?
Current minimum is 8 GB and recommended is 32 GB or more, excluding large media/database growth.
Which databases does Strapi support?
Current minimum versions include PostgreSQL 14, MySQL 8.0, MariaDB 10.3 and SQLite 3.
Does Strapi publish an official Docker image?
No generic official image is shipped; Strapi projects are typically built into project-specific container images.
Does Strapi need a GPU?
No dedicated GPU is required for core CMS operation.
Can ZimaBoard 2 run Strapi?
Yes. The 8 GB model comfortably exceeds Strapi's current recommended CPU/RAM baseline.
When should I choose ZimaCube 2 Pro?
When traffic, media, database size or broader service consolidation justifies stronger CPU and storage.
What sources informed this Strapi hardware guide?
Current Strapi 5 deployment documentation and project repository plus current Zima product pages.
