Summary (Quick Info Box)

This guide covers everything you need to build a fully working GMOD server from scratch:

• Installing SteamCMD

• Setting up DarkRP or Sandbox

• Linking workshop addons

• Configuring server.cfg

• Opening required ports

• Optimizing the server

• Fixing common errors

Works on Windows and Linux.

Table of Contents

1. Requirements

2. Install SteamCMD

3. Download GMOD server files

4. Install DarkRP

5. Configure server.cfg

6. Add workshop addons

7. Port forwarding (Windows + Linux)

8. Start the server

9. Optimization tips

10. Common errors and fixes

11. Recommended hosting

1) Requirements

You need:

✔ A VPS/dedicated server (minimum specs):

• 2 vCPU (high clock speed recommended)

• 4 GB RAM

• NVMe SSD

• Windows Server 2019/2022 or Ubuntu 22.04

✔ SteamCMD
✔ SRCDS (GMOD server)

2) Install SteamCMD

Windows

1. Download SteamCMD:
   https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip

2. Extract anywhere

3. Run steamcmd.exe

Linux

3) Download GMOD Server Files

Open SteamCMD and run:

Your server files will be ready.

4) Install DarkRP

DarkRP is the most popular GMOD mode.

DarkRP Installation

Download from GitHub:
https://github.com/FPtje/DarkRP

Place it in:
/gmodserver/garrysmod/gamemodes/

DarkRP Modification (Required)

Download:
https://github.com/FPtje/darkrpmodification

Place it in:
/garrysmod/addons/darkrpmodification

This folder controls jobs, money system, F4 menu, NPCs, entities, etc.

5) Configure server.cfg

Edit:

gmodserver/garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg

Use optimized settings:

6) Add Workshop Addons

The best way to manage addons is using a Workshop Collection.

Steps:

1. Create a workshop collection

2. Add all addons

3. Get the collection ID (example: 3234567890)

4. Add to autoexec.cfg:

Manual addon installation

Copy .gma files into:
/garrysmod/addons/

7) Port Forwarding (Windows + Linux)

Required Ports

• 27015 UDP

• 27005 UDP

• 27020 UDP

• 27016 TCP/UDP (optional)

Windows PowerShell

Linux (iptables)

8) Start the Server

Windows

Linux

9) Performance Optimization (2025 Updated)

CPU Optimization

GMOD is single-core heavy → high clock speed is critical.

Best CPUs:

• Ryzen 9 7950X

• Ryzen 9 5950x

• Intel i9 14900K

Tickrate

Best for DarkRP and Sandbox.

Addon Clean-up

• Avoid 100+ addons

• Remove unused content monthly

Optional: FastDL

Useful for players who fail to sync workshop content.

10) Common Errors & Fixes

Missing Map

• Workshop not linked

• FastDL incorrect

• Map mismatch

Lua Panic

• Broken addon

• Corrupted DarkRP modification

Server Not Responding

• Ports closed

• Firewall blocking

• Wrong server.cfg

• ISP dynamic IP issues

 11) Recommended Professional Hosting (Conversion Section)

GMOD requires high clock speed and fast NVMe storage.

✔ ServerTurk R9 7950X Infrastructure

• Ultra-low ping

• Very high FPS

• 1 Gbit network

• Full DDoS protection

• NVMe Gen4 SSD

Perfect for DarkRP, Sandbox, TTT, MilitaryRP and more.

Check out the GMOD-optimized VDS options:
https://serverturk.net/