Right now I’m running a Late 2012 Mac mini (8 x Intel Core i7-3615QM CPU @ 2.30GHz) with a 1TB SSD, a 4TB external USB HDD and 16GB of RAM. It runs Proxmox with a VM running Docker (just Transmission-OpenVPN container right now), a VM for a Debian VS Code tunnel and a LXC container for Plex. I also have a Pi3B running PiHole and I use a Mac Studio for my personal computer (500GB SSD). I’m using Fios for a 1G fiber connection, a TP-Link router (AX3000) and two daisy chained 1G unmanaged switches (unfortunate scenario due to my small apartment), 1 near my entertainment center (Apple TV, PS5 etc) and another near my desk and the Mini/Studio/Pi.

I’d like to build a NAS server which I could also use for these services. Priorities being 4K transcoding capabilities and the drives for a NAS. I would also like to set up a WireGuard VPN so I can use VNC to my Mac and access home services when I’m away, this is done with the TP-Link router right now.

Right now I can’t decide between Intel or AMD for the CPU, buying something new to future proof or buying some older used office hardware and what I should prioritize (server or network)?

Currently I’ve got a mix of personal data in Dropbox and iCloud Drive, I’ll likely consolidate it all to iCloud and eventually my NAS and have the NAS data backed up to Backblaze as well. I’d also like to backup my Studio to multiple Time Machine backups and have them in multiple locations. My media is currently all on the external drive and nothing is super valuable, just TV and movies (removes eye patch).

I’m trying to learn Linux and some web development (mostly three.js) so I’ll setup a new VM, probably NixOS moving forward, specifically for coding and web dev learning.

I’m looking for hardware recommendations for the Proxmox NAS server and also networking equipment? I’d like to move off the TP-Link hardware and use something open source. Also any suggestions for other services to run or considerations I may have missed. For example monitoring, how to manage users/access like SSH, where to buy hardware, home services you can’t live without etc.

I know this is a broad AF post, but figured it could trigger some good discussions!