1y ago

Options for low TDP small/nuc PC

Hi, I'm looking to buy a small computer to upgrade my setup for selfhosted servers. Right now I'm running containers directly on my qnap nas but I would like to migrate most of them on a dedicated server. I'm looking for something that could run docker with stuff like plex, arrr apps, Torrenring, wireguard, vault garden and more. I would like for that server to be very power efficient, something running with as low as 65w TDP or less and also I would like it to be a small computer, something like beelink or Lenovo tiny form factor for example . I looked some small pc from Lenovo, Dell, hp and as I understood it is a bit messy with the power usage depending of the cpu. So I was wondering what would me options be here? Is there other people here who also wanted to run power efficient servers if yes what did you found?

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I'm currently running my Lemmy instance, an Ark server, and a Teamspeak server on a Dell Precision 3260 running Proxmox. I've been really happy with it, and honestly a little surprised at just how well it's been going.
- This modele is looking, good but I would like a smaller size for the computer, I think dell call them tiny or micro form factor.

I've had a lot of luck with these (I'm using the previous gen, but this one should be even better), they're so cheap I bought 3 of them and set up a little proxmox cluster. The iGPU. In them is strong enough to run multiple 4k Plex transcoded, and I have 20 or so containters and vms tunning across then without hitting any limits. https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005005575993915.html?spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.4ea83dd0P2OEuA&browser_id=e010fa4472c54b7ab7a7431394ec6e9b&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=gxinhmngbwccavuh1891a9984c2ea436a5e1596831&gclid=&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21GBP%21244.73%21134.6%21%21%21%21%21%40214527c616883684159437702d0723%2112000033613841000%21sea%21UK%210&algo_pvid=42d27fb3-693a-4b11-97f8-7e83f1dddc74
- If you want a smaller, cleaner url, then you can delete everything after the question mark. https://m.aliexpress.us/item/3256805389679163.html
- Thanks. Now I have to buy a new device!
- I did not know about those, thank you

I just grabbed a Beelink S12 with N95 on amazon for pretty cheap with a coupon.
According to PassMark it is roughly equivalent in raw performance to the venerable old i7-2600 but with the better modern IGPU for video transcode tasks and it should be able to chug away at what I want it to do with less than 20w total system power.
Hopefully it means I can further downsize my main server to an i3 or pentium class CPU (went from dual Xeons, to a 6700k and looking to downsize further), and I'll be able to decommission a couple of RPIs. to further clean up the rack.
There are also tons of Lenovo, Dell and HP mini PCs with 4th - 7th gen intel chips available on the used market for very little money, they are excellent homelab units too as they are reliable and spare parts are common on ebay if needed.
- +1 for beelink. Little PCs are powerful. Call me paranoid but direct windows install shipped from China skeevs me out, but wiping it and putting linux on it makes it a great little server
  
  yep Proxmox + VMs is the way I'm setting this new one up to replace a few PIs.
  Should end up running HomeAssistant, a security dashboard (with HDMI output to my video distribution rig) and whatever horsepower is left will be on demand for a video compression server node running Fileflows or Unmanic. if I can get GVT-G working properly, otherwise the dashboard and video encoder will share a VM with the full gpu. I just want to play with GVT-G.
- +1 for a used Lenovo. I have a Lenovo ThinkCentre M710q I used to run as a server I got for ~$50 with an i7-7700. Only thing it was missing was an A/C adapter which set me back ~$30 IIRC.
  When I'm looking, I'll browse eBay's desktop category sorted by ending soonest auction only and occasionally something will pop up that is worth it.

How much do you want to spend?
- Well I'm aiming 800 and less.
  
  I have a beelink ser6 non pro and also this Um773
  They both should be more than enough to run what you want.
  There is also something like this if you want lower power but I'm kind waiting out a 64gb ddr5 model.
  Lastly this is a good read if you want name brand stuff.

I've saw some good news about Intel's N95/100/200/305 CPUs, N200 is said to have similar performance as I5-7400 at 6W TDP.
- Cool, I will go check those processor for sure. Do you happen to know if there's a small factor pc running with one of those processors?
  
  Gigabyte GB-BNIP-N200
  MSI Cubi N ADL
  Beelink EQ12

I've had a lot of success with a QOTOM box from aliexpress.
They're little fanless boxes running basic intel Core chips, in a variety of configs.
I've run OPNSense and PFSense as routers (also doing wireguard, torrents, etc), as well as just standard Ubuntu server.
Very small and low power, and pretty cheap. They come in a variety of configs.

Crazy that nobody pointed you to a bulletproof Intel NUC.
- I think it is because they are more expansive ? If i’m not wrong
  
  Definitely more expensive, but you can get used ones from a few generations ago for cheap on eBay
  
  More expensive yes, but insane warenty, highest quality, follows specs and actually rated for 24/7 operation

I don't have an answer, likely just a link that creates a bunch more questions
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sth+1l+computer
enjoy.
- Nice, I'll definitely watch the video thank. I hope it will help me a bit at least, let's go down to the rabbit hole haha.
- All the tiny micro server content is great from sth.

I run wireguard VPN, qbitorrent, most of the *arr apps, and Jellyfin all in containers on a headless Raspberry Pi 4, with storage backed by a NAS. It works surprisingly well, I just ensure that I never need to do transcoding.
It's a really small dollar investment to try it to see if it meets your needs.

Running an odroid h3+ for home server running plex, the goodies and a bunch of home lab stuff on it hasn't missed a beat it's tiny and powerful
- I should also look for odroid they sound great to, but if I'm not mistaken they are running on a arm processor right?
  
  Most Odroid boards have arm processors, but the H3+ has an Intel N6005.
- I love the Odroids. Perfect also for clustering setup, as they are pretty cheap in terms of buying price but also operating costs.

I think that the Minisforum UM690/UM790 are looking quite attractive for their price points, if you're looking for something high-end. $520 for an 8-core Zen 4 barebone. I haven't bought one though, I'm just using an old notebook.
- Mini forum computer look attracting but they do not ship to Canada saddly
  
  Weird, they certainly claim so on their US website:
  Available countries and regions: United States, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Singapore, [...]

49 comments