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?

 

[aasimenator]

Can I fit a gpu in it?

I think you can, it does have PCIE expansion slots, although I don;t know or have a list of GPU compatibility.

 

[Dexter_3214]

Depends what you are looking for, i would definitely get home built server if you don't need too many hdd slots, get epyc 32 core from ebay. new mobo from asrock rack(mail them) ecc memeory from ebay, ask seller to label them as 25$ product will save on custom or use delivo(freight forwarding will cost you 1.5/kg no custom price

use this case

Phanteks Enthoo Pro II – Server Edition | CP

The Enthoo Pro 2 Server Edition is designed to bring server-grade capabilities in a full-tower chassis. This lowers the entry into server systems for semi-professional users and businesses with a very powerful solution.

phanteks.com

 

[superczar]

Power consumption is not a deal breaker.

regardless of where you live, power costs at the upper tier of consumption will be anywhere between 10-20/- per unit
The difference between a power efficient setup and a R730 would be at least 100W, likely more just at idle which translates into a power bill delta of anywhere between 9K- 18K a year at minimum.

Unless you really need a behemoth of a server, i would go with a something thats more modern and power efficient
FWIW i use a 9500T P330 (sourced from aasim) that bartely sips power while running a bunch of VMs and 7-8 containers

 

[buzz88]

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)

This is a typical homelab that many people mostly run on mini PCs. None of this requires dedicated server grade hardware. Too much power consuming, too space-demanding, too old and too expensive in most cases. Why do you think you need a 80K server for these? It's good you have a budget on the higher side, but then spend it on newer stuff like a Ryzen 5950X or even 7950X. Ryzen supports ECC ram, which most homelabbers do not actually need, but most crave it anyway for some reason.

Coming to the storage part, there are cases like Antec P101 that can store 8+ HDDs.

Antec P101S Silent Mid-Tower PC Case

Key FeaturesFunctionality and sleek minimalism blend seamlessly in the ANTEC P101 Silent, a mid-tower ATX case with a well-crafted exterior and a practical internal configuration.The P101 Silent ATX Cabinet is engineered to satisfy both performance and silence seekers while ensuring a great building

www.theitdepot.com

Power consumption is not a deal breaker.

I am curious to know why any power saving is considered unimportant compared to buying new stuff since if money-saving is not a goal, why go for old xeons?

 

[mr.stark]

Coming to the storage part, there are cases like Antec P101 that can store 8+ HDDs.

Antec P101S Silent Mid-Tower PC Case

Key FeaturesFunctionality and sleek minimalism blend seamlessly in the ANTEC P101 Silent, a mid-tower ATX case with a well-crafted exterior and a practical internal configuration.The P101 Silent ATX Cabinet is engineered to satisfy both performance and silence seekers while ensuring a great building

www.theitdepot.com

Are there any disadvantages of such cases over a typical NAS?

 

[Dexter_3214]

Are there any disadvantages of such cases over a typical NAS?

Pros: Nas will give you less tdp
with this case and self built intel pc you will have more perf at same price can run multiple vms, docker ,jelly fin server, have your own 10gb nic or more you get a lot of upgradability and
repairability.
with defline 7xl you can add upto 18 HDD

Define 7 XL

The Define 7 XL sets a new standard for what you should expect from a full tower case in terms of modularity, flexibility and ease of use.

www.fractal-design.com

 

[mr.stark]

Pros: Nas will give you less tdp
with this case and self built intel pc you will have more perf at same price can run multiple vms, docker ,jelly fin server, have your own 10gb nic or more yo get a lot of upgradability and
repairability.
with defline 7xl you can add upto 18 HDD

Define 7 XL

The Define 7 XL sets a new standard for what you should expect from a full tower case in terms of modularity, flexibility and ease of use.

www.fractal-design.com

That's crazy! Interesting find, thanks

 

[Dexter_3214]

That's crazy! Interesting find, thanks

This is how you do it.