Suggestions for mini PC #homelab server appreciated (~1000€).

Si :mastodon: (he/him)

I would go for a used desktop like the Dell or HP you've linked.

I have an older Dell as file server, and it draws 14W idle with 1 SSD and 2 HDD.

Mel

@keyboardpipette I don't know if the tools you are using can manage out of memory computing (https://python-bloggers.com/2025/06/handling-larger-than-memory-datasets-with-polars-lazyframe/) but if they can, my focus would be on CPU first if RAM is upgradable, so I would ditch anything below ryzen 7. Also, DDR4 won't kill your budget comapred to DDR5 but that means less powerful CPU (a ryzen AI CPU has an NPU if you want to play with LLM when Linux support is good for example). Right now I can't vouch for a model but I can add another brand GMKTek. I have one and it is nice at iddle, did not stressed it out yet

Mike Spencer

@keyboardpipette
Might be worth reviewing some L1Techs videos, they cover the kind of thing you might be after. Eh https://youtu.be/9Fm2m3_Sd1E

mkj

@keyboardpipette Maybe give the Teklager TLSense 10810U a look? It's primarily intended as a firewall/router appliance but looks like it might be up to what you want to do, and with 64 GB RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD costs about €910 plus shipping and VAT. https://teklager.se/en/products/routers/tlsense-10810U Doesn't look like it can take 128 GB RAM though; I suspect for that you'll need to move closer to the server space, which is generally incompatible with "silent" anything…

Troed Sångberg

@keyboardpipette Might @tuxedocomputers have something suitable?

https://www.tuxedocomputers.com/en/TUXEDO-Nano-Pro-Gen14-AMD.tuxedo

You're buying in the wrong market conditions right now unfortunately, so costs might run away if you go for something new.

stfn

@keyboardpipette I would look for a high end Lenovo Tiny, M90 or similar. I have two Tinys, but with lower specs, and for me they are perfect for a silent homelab

António Domingues

@mkj Oh yeah, server adjacent is not what I want. I had a dell server sitting on a desk for a couple days - data needed to copied before it was wiped and shipped to another site - and it felt like I was behind a plane during lift-off

António Domingues

@baalroga Some can do out-of-memory, and I wrote about it
https://amjdomingues.com/posts/2025-11-02-cmap-tile-db-build/
However, not all do and even if they do, some will require too much time fiddling with the code to go around the RAM limitation, time which could be used to do get results. I am not one to brute-force everything but sometimes a balance is needed.

TLDR; I am willing to pay a little more for convenience, even more than 1000€, because my time is precious to me and I get more fun out of the analysis.

António Domingues

@visone Good points. The server will be running 24/7 but the heavy duty tasks will be in spikes, so overheating is not a concern.

As for the building by parts: I don't enough knowledge and, above all, time to select the parts. It's been more than 20 years since I've assembled a computer - and I had help getting the parts from IT friends

Assuming it doesn't go too over budget, I would rather trade money for convenience.

António Domingues

@visone meaning, I don't mind getting my hands dirty and upgrading it myself with RAM/HDD but not build the whole thing. I know my limitations.

António Domingues

@visone Thank you! I will add it to my list

naturepoker

@keyboardpipette my lab runs on cheap used small machines. I second the recommendation for small format models from workstation manufacturers, like lenovo m75q or p3. They usually have tons of aftermarket replacement parts, manuals and some are designed for long, sustained workloads.

Cheap used workstation/desktop replacement laptops could be a good fit too. DDR4/DDR3 ram models can support upto 128gb and are VERY cheap computes (relatively speaking).

SMT

@keyboardpipette for what it is worth i rent a server on hetzner for similar purposes since my internet connection is trash. It is about 50 USD per month, 62 GB ram, 20 threads with avx2 (sadly no avx512). But i guess for long term usage, buying one should be better

António Domingues

@naturepoker good tip, thanks. I did a quick search for DDR4 X DDR5 RAM prices and at the moment, in this crazy market, the prices are not so different. Mind you that was a cursory search.

But, I'll continue researching.

António Domingues

@bioinfhotep I did look at cloud solutions, including Hetzner, but as you said, it's not a long term solution. The thing is that I only have a couple of hours, or less, per day for my pet projects, so I want something that is available and fuss free from the get go. Cloud is nice but expensive for such convenience, or cumbersome if one wants to have it on the cheap - I would have to pay for storage or transfer the data on the go, Etc.

But the price point is getting there.

naturepoker

@keyboardpipette oh price differential is for used machines already kitted out with amount of ram you're looking for. If you're buying ddr4 sticks directly there won't be too much difference.

SMT

@keyboardpipette for convenience i think it is quite convenient on hetzner since i use vs-code remote-ssh anyway all the time and mount remote folders when needed using sshfs. It is a bit expensive (there is a one time setup fee) even though transfer bandwidth is quite large but ssd pricing is an issue

Rupert Overall

@keyboardpipette Just a note: if you want to run this as a headless server, then it doesn't necessarily need to be on your desk. That might open up some less-quiet options.
Also, if it is only in use for short periods and can be shut down the rest of the time, then low-power mode is also no longer important and even more options open up.