NVMe 4 vs NVMe 8: Which VPS Is Right for gstack?

Key highlights

NVMe 8 matches Bluehost recommended gstack configuration of 4 vCPUs and 8 GB RAM.

NVMe 4 meets the listed minimum, making it an option for controlled, lightweight evaluation.

Browser QA and concurrent projects need headroom beyond the resources required to install the software.

Compare renewal costs and AI usage charges alongside the introductory VPS price.

Choosing a VPS for gstack starts with the work you want it to do. A planning session on a small repository places different demands on a server than browser QA running alongside an application, database and build tools. Those differences matter when choosing between 4 GB and 8 GB of RAM.

Quick answer: NVMe 8 is the recommended starting point for regular gstack development because it matches the configuration in Bluehost setup guide. NVMe 4 meets the guide’s minimum CPU and RAM figures, but keeps it to lightweight evaluation and monitor resource use. Heavier concurrent work may need more capacity.

What gstack runs on your VPS

gstack is an open-source skill pack created by Garry Tan for Claude Code, Codex and compatible coding agents. It organizes development into a structured cycle: Think, Plan, Build, Review, Test, Ship and Reflect. Skills cover activities such as planning, code review, browser testing and preparing changes to ship.

You can use gstack on a supported local machine. A VPS is useful when you want a server environment that stays available independently of your laptop, with persistent project files and control over installed tools.

On a Linux VPS, gstack’s browser features use its bundled headless Chromium browser. The server also needs room for your coding agent, operating system and any application services or build tools you run alongside it.

Hardware requirements for gstack on a VPS

The Bluehost gstack setup guide lists the following minimum and recommended server resources.

Resource	Listed minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 vCPUs	4 vCPUs
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
Disk space	20 GB	30 GB

Minimum specifications describe a starting threshold, not the capacity every project will need. Allow additional resources for the operating system, dependencies and application workload and more disk space for repositories, logs, screenshots and recordings.

NVMe 4 meets the minimum CPU and RAM figures and surpasses the minimum disk requirement.

NVMe 8 matches the recommended CPU and RAM figures and provides 200 GB of NVMe storage. Bluehost general VPS storefront labels NVMe 4 as Recommended for broader use cases; the gstack-specific guidance points to NVMe 8.

How browser QA and parallel work affect server sizing

Browser skills such as /qa, /browse and /design-review can render pages, run JavaScript and capture screenshots. On Linux, these tasks use a persistent browser process that can be reused between commands. Memory demand depends on the pages under test, open tabs and other running processes.

The application under test also uses resources. A development server, database, dependency installation or build can compete with browser QA for the same CPU and RAM. Parallel coding-agent sessions increase demand when they run these activities at the same time.

Moving to 8 GB RAM gives these processes more room, but any plan can run out of memory if its workload exceeds available capacity. Test a representative workflow and watch peak memory use, CPU load, disk growth and process failures before adding more concurrent sessions.

NVMe 4 vs NVMe 8 specifications and pricing

The comparison below uses the USD plan cards on the Bluehost VPS page, checked November 6, 2026. Introductory prices apply to the first 24 months. Taxes and optional add-ons are additional; offers can change.

Specification	NVMe 4	NVMe 8
vCPUs	2	4
DDR5 RAM	4 GB	8 GB
NVMe storage	100 GB	200 GB
Introductory rate 24-month term	$8.49/mo	$12.49/mo
First 24 months Before tax and add-ons	$203.76	$299.76
Listed renewal rate	$11.99/mo	$28.99/mo
Dedicated IP included	1	1
Root SSH access	Yes	Yes
Bandwidth	Unmetered*	Unmetered*
gstack sizing fit	Minimum configuration Lightweight evaluation	Recommended configuration Regular development and QA

*Unmetered bandwidth is subject to Bluehost terms and usage policies.

At these introductory rates, NVMe 8 costs $4 more per month or $96 more over the first 24 months. It doubles CPU, RAM and storage allocation. The listed renewal-rate difference is $17 per month, so consider the ongoing cost as well as the initial offer.

gstack is free and open source. Budget separately for your coding-agent subscription or model API usage, plus any paid services your workflow connects to. A fixed VPS charge does not fix your total AI cost.

Bluehost tools that support your gstack workflow

At Bluehost, we offer tools for provisioning, model access and structured decision-making alongside the server resources you need. Each tool comes with its own setup requirements and supported capabilities.

Provision from your AI workspace with Bluehost MCP

Use Bluehost MCP with supported clients such as Claude Code to compare Self-Managed VPS plans, initiate a confirmed purchase and track provisioning. Your assistant can also help register a domain. Account and payment setup happen in your browser; application publishing happens separately over SSH. MCP currently serves US customers paying in USD and covers initial provisioning rather than ongoing server management.

Connect supported models through Bluehost AI Gateway

Bluehost AI Gateway gives eligible Self-Managed VPS and VDS customers access to supported models through one API key and a shared prepaid AI Credits wallet. You create the key and configure your application; AI usage is paid separately from hosting. For gstack, follow the app-specific connection guide and test the underlying Claude Code connection before running a full workflow.

Add structured decision checks with Jev

Jev returns yes/no answers, predefined choices and scores through the same Gateway key and AI Credits balance. It can support custom routing and checks alongside an existing LLM. Supported Claude Code workflows need an integration layer to call Jev; it is an API-accessed model, not software installed on your VPS or automatically enabled by the gstack template.

Setting up gstack on Bluehost

Bluehost offers a gstack application template when purchasing eligible Self-Managed VPS or VDS configurations. After selecting a plan, follow the VPS setup guide for your hosting type.

In the checkout Software section, open the Application tab and select gstack.

After provisioning, connect to the server and configure coding-agent authentication through your chosen supported provider or Gateway setup.

Open your project and test the skills you plan to use before adding more concurrent work.

Root SSH access lets you manage dependencies and server settings. Bluehost maintains the hardware, network and virtualization layer. You manage operating-system updates, security settings and application configuration. NVMe storage and DDR5 RAM support your local tools, while included network-level DDoS filtering addresses volumetric attacks. Application security remains your responsibility.

Use the server for your tools, projects and browser tasks and connect the coding agent to a supported cloud model provider. These self-managed plans have no dedicated GPU; the VPS price does not include the model provider’s charges.

Final thoughts

NVMe 8 is a practical starting point for regular gstack development, matching Bluehost recommended configuration of 4 vCPUs and 8 GB RAM. It gives browser QA, development tools and application services more room to run together, although actual capacity depends on your workload.

NVMe 4 suits lightweight evaluation, while NVMe 16 offers additional resources for demanding builds and concurrent sessions. Choose based on the work your projects need and compare renewal rates alongside introductory pricing.

With Bluehost Self-Managed VPS, you control your environment, dependencies and security settings. Select the gstack template at checkout, complete authentication and test your workflow before expanding to additional projects or sessions.

Explore gstack VPS Hosting to find the right plan for your next development project.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upgrade from NVMe 4 later?

Yes. Bluehost supports VPS plan upgrades through the Bluehost Portal. Back up your work and schedule a suitable maintenance window: its upgrade guide says the server restarts during the change. Check the available upgrade options for your account before proceeding.

Does gstack need a dedicated GPU?

A dedicated GPU is not needed when your coding agent uses a cloud model provider. The VPS handles local tools and browser tasks. Running a local language model is a separate workload and needs its own resource assessment.

Will browser logins survive every restart?

Persistent project storage does not guarantee persistent browser sessions. The bundled browser can shut down after inactivity and a crash or server restart can interrupt its state. Plan for reauthentication or supported session restoration when testing pages that require a login.

Will a larger VPS make AI responses faster?

A larger plan can relieve CPU or memory bottlenecks in builds, tests and browser work. When inference runs with an external provider, response time also depends on that provider, the model and network conditions. More VPS RAM alone does not guarantee faster model output.