Recommendations for Mini PC

Buying Advice Desktop & PC Buying Advice
1

I am looking to setup a network wide ad blocking in my home alongwith some attached storage for data backup , immich for photos backup and some content/site hosting for personal use. Suggest me good mini PC for the same.

The PC should run on low power as it has to run 24x7 , within a budget of Rs 15000-18000 and if it provides some extensibility for the future it will be a plus.

I am fine with using a refurbished one as well.

2

Optiplex 7060 (or even a 7050/7040) SFF

  • Larger size
  • Slightly higher power draw (idles around ~ 30-50W and can peak to 150W, depends on CPU)
  • Enough slots for storage (1x3.5", 1x2.5" SATA), 1xM.2 NVME. More can be added via double sided tape.
  • 2 PCie slots for expansion (network cards or NVME expansion)

Or

Thinkcenter tiny m920q (or x)

  • Smaller size
  • Lower power draw (idles around ~ 20-30W, can peak to 65/95W depending on CPU)
  • 1x2.5" SATA storage, 2xM.2 (NVME or SATA) for storage
  • Mini PCIe for network, fullsized PCIe for GPU expansions (options limited due to small size)

There are variations of these in the refurbished market. Do confirm specs.

1 Like
4

Dont buy from NewJaisa.

5

Can you elaborate why?

6

A Synology NAS can run PiHole, and will be much easier to set up backups on. Not sure about the 4th one, depends on how demanding your site is.

A DS223j is around 19k.

1 Like
7

@FortiCore has some good devices.
Intel N150 NAS motherboard - [ DDR5 ] - [ 1 x 10G & x 2 x 2.5G LAN ] [ 6 SATA ]

Get ant esports Vanguard with it.

3 Likes
8

Has anyone bought from Computify ? there I was also seeing some options from HP.

10

Hi I got a chromebox first hand from New Jaisa and after a year of use and sold it to a member recently.

He showed me - poor application of thermal paste and cooling setup in general. Screws missing inside, they used glue instead to keep the thing together, rusted headers, power adaptor was duplicate with sticker applied.

1 Like
11

For adguard and immich a Pi is more than enough. I have been running both these services along with a couple of other things on a PI5 for almost 2 years now.
But if you are looking fir a serious homelab i recommend Intel N-series devices.

12

Since this is advice post, I can not post here, you can send me a DM. I need to take all photos and make a post ( I thinks this a new theme and so rules might have changed and I will have to read the rules and then take photos and make a proper post. )

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13

Hi, for an Adguard only system, it would be cost efficient to choose a Dell wyse right? Can get one under 2K INR. Just for Adguard and nothing else. What do you think?

14

it will be more than sufficient with room to host a couple of more lightweight services. the Wi-Fi adapter is a major drawback with the driver issues for linux though. ask me how? i bought two and learnt it at a good cost.

1 Like
15

Is Debian stable on this Dell Wyse? I haven’t tried it. If you can get the latest Debian up and running on this device, then it might fulfil your requirement

16

Hows saudewala are those legit?