How to Meet Minimum System Requirements in PostgreSQL

What are the minimum hardware and OS requirements to run PostgreSQL?

The guide lists the lowest hardware and OS specifications you need to install and run PostgreSQL reliably in development and small-scale production.

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Description

What hardware is truly "minimum" for PostgreSQL?

PostgreSQL will start on almost any modern computer, but stability demands at least 2 CPU cores, 2 GB RAM, and 10 GB free, high-speed disk. These specs let the postmaster launch, run basic SQL, and keep WAL cycling safely.

How much RAM does PostgreSQL require?

Allocate 2 GB RAM for operating system + PostgreSQL. Linux needs ~512 MB, leaving 1.5 GB for shared_buffers, work_mem, and maintenance_work_mem.For production, jump to 4 GB so autovacuum and simple joins never swap.

Is a multi-core CPU mandatory?

Yes. PostgreSQL forks one process per connection. A dual-core (2 vCPU) chip prevents the OS and background workers from competing with user queries. Single-core systems boot, but concurrent queries stall.

What disk space and speed are needed?

Reserve 10 GB on SSD or NVMe. The data directory grows rapidly from WAL and temporary files. SSD latency <1 ms keeps checkpoints under control.On magnetic disks, increase checkpoint_timeout to 30 min to lower write spikes.

Which operating systems meet the minimum?

PostgreSQL 15+ supports 64-bit Linux (kernel 3.10+), macOS 10.15+, and Windows 10/Server 2019+. Use ext4 or xfs on Linux, APFS on macOS, NTFS on Windows. 32-bit OSes lack address space for shared memory.

Can I run PostgreSQL inside a container?

Yes, but grant the container the same 2 vCPU/2 GB RAM limits and mount a persistent SSD volume for $PGDATA.Disable swap inside containers to avoid sudden OOM kills.

How do I verify my system meets the requirements?

Run lscpu, free -h, and df -h /var/lib/postgresql (Linux) or equivalents.Compare results to the 2 vCPU/2 GB/10 GB baseline before initializing the cluster with initdb.

Practical performance checklist

shared_buffers = 25% of RAM (≥256 MB)
wal_level = replica (default)
max_connections ≤50 on 2 GB RAM
Use SSD; set random_page_cost = 1.1

Best practices for small servers

Keep extensions minimal, turn on log_autovacuum_min_duration, and schedule nightly VACUUM FULL only during low traffic. Monitor pg_stat_database.blks_read to detect I/O saturation early.

Why How to Meet Minimum System Requirements in PostgreSQL is important

How to Meet Minimum System Requirements in PostgreSQL Example Usage


SELECT version(), current_setting('shared_buffers'), current_setting('max_connections');

How to Meet Minimum System Requirements in PostgreSQL Syntax


# No SQL syntax applies. Minimum system requirements are hardware/OS specs, not a SQL command.

Common Mistakes

Assuming 512 MB RAM is enough. PostgreSQL starts but autovacuum, hash joins, and WAL archiving quickly swap, causing query timeouts. Fix by upgrading to at least 2 GB and tuning shared_buffers.
Installing on HDD without adjusting checkpoints. Default checkpoint timeout (5 min) triggers heavy random writes that saturate spinning disks. Use SSD or raise checkpoint_timeout to 30 min.