0-20k Help me create a home server

bruhhh123

Beginner
Thinking of creating a home server. I already have a big fat pc with lot of storage bays, but im thinking building a mini pc with 1 big ssd to keep it running 24 by 7. Open to suggestions on mini pc if available.
 
Big fat pc is good for a custom NAS and can act as a decent server provided you have a good cpu.
If you want power efficiency with decent storage then stick with mini pc with good quality SSD (preferably sata/nvme port not usb)
 
Just a note that if you've a good PSU that has low idle watt, then your big fat PC can also be a really efficient server.

Additionally, you could use SnapRAID + mergerfs to run the HDDs only when you use them and not all the time.
 
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mini pc with 1 big ssd
OMV(open media vault) running on rpi 4/5 would be the most economical and efficient option for a basic 'set it and forget it' NAS server

For anything more, running TrueNAS is simply better
N97/N150 minipcs (imported) by GMKtech are popular and have better QC than other chinese brands.
 
Additionally, you could use SnapRAID + mergerfs to run the HDDs only when you use them and not all the time.
Have you used this? What is the best way to run this - OMV or a Ubuntu Server + Cockpit? I want to run this in a proxmox mini pc with an external dual bay 3.5" hdd enclosure. Will it be ok?
 
Have you used this? What is the best way to run this - OMV or a Ubuntu Server + Cockpit? I want to run this in a proxmox mini pc with an external dual bay 3.5" hdd enclosure. Will it be ok?
I have a fedora server running that configuration with a bunch of 1TB drives. The config is very easy so I never really had issues.

I haven't tried it with OMV, or with external disks... Sorry.

I has no idea about this. Will check it out thanks.
Check this out too btw, very helpful resource:

 
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The power draw btwn the atom, N100 or low power PC vs the Intel pentium at medium speed for atom and idle for pentium is not much of a difference . Unless a Small form factor is required , a low cost 6th or 7th gen pentium processor can be had for as low as 500 rupees . A full size board with the pentium processor will have more flexibility .
 
Thinking of creating a home server. I already have a big fat pc with lot of storage bays, but im thinking building a mini pc with 1 big ssd to keep it running 24 by 7. Open to suggestions on mini pc if available.
I bought gmktec n100 minipc. As it have two slots I set it in mirror raid and using it for a server. It draws 7W idle and does the job.
 
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I'm also in the same boat as you, having a large tower server running unraid.

I've bought a dell optiplex 5080 mini with 10th gen I5 and will be upgrading ram to 64GB DDR4 and already installed 256GB m.2ssd for os and installed 1TB HDD for data. looking for higher capacity drive to replace.

Also planning to get an external DAS enclosure which will be connected over USB or m.2 to sas.

for os thinking of using CasaOS for its simplicity.

using something like this - HP SAS Cage