Getting hardware for homelab

[NotTheOneYouAreLookingFor]

Looking for some advice. I’m building a second Proxmox homelab mainly for running multiple VMs — including a Windows VM for remote desktop/gaming, and some Linux VMs. (Jellyfin with nvidia transcoding via passthrough, NAS, Remote game server windows, servarr rack, immich, minecraft server)

Around 64GB RAM (more later maybe)
8+ storage slots
Good CPU power for smooth VM performance

Budget: ₹1–1.2L
I’m torn between:
A refurb Dell R730 (plenty of cores, ECC RAM)
A custom build (quieter, lower power)
Is the R730 still worth it in 2025?

Power consumption is not a deal breaker.

 

[alpha5555]

A custom build would definitely offer you more freedom and choices.

And @aasimenator can provide the required components at very competitive prices.

 

[aasimenator]

Looking for some advice. I’m building a second Proxmox homelab mainly for running multiple VMs — including a Windows VM for remote desktop/gaming, and some Linux VMs. (Jellyfin with nvidia transcoding via passthrough, NAS, Remote game server windows, servarr rack, immich, minecraft server)

Around 64GB RAM (more later maybe)
8+ storage slots
Good CPU power for smooth VM performance

Budget: ₹1–1.2L
I’m torn between:
A refurb Dell R730 (plenty of cores, ECC RAM)
A custom build (quieter, lower power)
Is the R730 still worth it in 2025?

Power consumption is not a deal breaker.

What if i offered you a better option than R730? at a lesser price.

Lenovo Server ThinkSystem SR570
Intel Xeon Silver 4208 x 2 Nos
8C 85W 2.1GHz Processor
16GB X 2 Nos
ThinkSystem RAID 530-8i PCIe 12Gb Adapter
2.5" 300GB 10K SAS x 2 Nos
2.5" 900GB 10K SAS x 4 Nos
550W Dual SMPS X 2 Nos ThinkSystem Platinum Hot-Swap Power Supply x 2 Nos

Price: Rs. 85K

 

[NotTheOneYouAreLookingFor]

I have a offer actually. Here were the specs:

Dell r730/730xd LFF (Lff is a must)
2x Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4
64gb ECC memory
PciE riser for gpu
I got a offer for 80k.
W/o drives am I getting ripped off?

Id also prefer a 2U system for good airflow as I plan to add a gou later

 

[aasimenator]

Damn that is too much, considering that i got a quote for Rs. 35000/- for a R530 with 8LFF and same CPU and ram.

I have a offer actually. Here were the specs:

Dell r730/730xd LFF (Lff is a must)
2x Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4
64gb ECC memory
PciE riser for gpu
I got a offer for 80k.
W/o drives am I getting ripped off?

Id also prefer a 2U system for good airflow as I plan to add a gou later

 

[NotTheOneYouAreLookingFor]

Damn that is too much, considering that i got a quote for Rs. 35000/- for a R530 with 8LFF and same CPU and ram.

Can I fit a gpu in it?