Benefits of Server Core for Windows Server 2012

Reduced servicing

Because Server Core for Windows Server 2012 installs only what is required for a manageable server, less servicing is required.

Reduced management

Because less is installed on a Server Core-based server, less management is required.

Reduced attack surface

Because there is less running on the server, there is less attack surface.

Less disk space required

Server Core requires about 4GB to install.

Less memory (RAM) required

Because fewer services are running on a Server Core-based server, memory that would otherwise be needed by Windows is available to Server applications.