16GB is worth it for a Minecraft server with 5 friends.

Yes, upgrading to 16GB will probably reduce those lag spikes — but only partly.

The main culprit when exploring new terrain is chunk generation, which is mostly a CPU and disk I/O task. More RAM helps by letting the server cache more chunks and handle garbage collection better. With 8GB, your server and your client (assuming you’re running the game on the same machine) are fighting over memory. That creates stutter when Java decides to clean house.

For a 5-player server, 8GB can be enough if you allocate smartly (maybe 4GB to server, 4GB to client). But real-world experience says Windows, Chrome, Discord, and Minecraft eat memory fast. The lag spikes you’re seeing are likely Java garbage collection pauses — 16GB gives you more headroom to spread those pauses out, making them less noticeable.

Don’t expect miracles. If your CPU is old or you’re running on a mechanical hard drive, RAM won’t fix all the stutter. But for $30-50, it’s the single cheapest upgrade that’ll make your server feel smoother.

Future you, mid-exploration, will thank you.