Hi all,
Looking at getting some pre-built hardware to run Proxmox and trying to decide between the following options. What would be the best fit for running Home Assistant OS VM and docker containers/VM’s for Plex, TVHeadend, Photoprism, etc. and possibly a Windows VM for miscellaneous usage? I have bulk storage in a DS1520+ NAS for media, etc. already, but I find that Plex, etc. hogs the CPU slowing everything else down. I’m leaning towards option #2 based on cost, but interested on hearing other opinions.
Option #1 Precision 3260 Compact Form Factor (12th Gen i7, 32GB RAM):
- i7 12700
- 1TB SSD
- 32 GB RAM
- 2x M.2 2280
- 1x M.2 2230
- 1x PCIe x8
- SATA 3.0 slot for 2.5-inch hard drive
£948.00
Option #2 OptiPlex 7010 Small Form Factor (13th Gen i5, 32GB RAM):
- i5 13500
- 512GB SSD
- 32 GB RAM
- 1x M.2 2280
- 1x M.2 2230
- 1x PCIe x16
- 1x PCie x1
- Two SATA 3.0 slots for 2.5-inch/3.5-inch hard drive and slim optical drive
£612.00
Option #3 Precision 3260 Compact Form Factor (12th Gen i5, 64 GB RAM):
-
i5 12600
-
1TB SSD
-
64 GB RAM
-
2x M.2 Long
-
1x M.2 Short
-
1x PCIe x8
-
SATA 3.0 slot for 2.5-inch hard drive
£906.00
I’d go option 2 and use some of the savings to max out the ram. I also like the extra PCIe slot on this one.
Option 3 is easily the worst deal in my opinion.
Do you think I’m then better buying a machine that comes with less then immediately replacing it with a 64GB kit, which seems to be the max for this model.
I’d go for RAM unless you really need horse power. Otherwise RAM is king.
Just keep in mind that you’re going to need to make sure your hypervisor supports BIG.little architectures if you go with option one or two. I believe the latest version of Proxmox does, but just make sure you’re on the right Linux kernel first.
Are these all new? Because they seem really steep, although I’m not familiar with the UK market.
Recommend going used/refurbished… an optiplex 7010 probably looking at half the price for those specs.
My opinion: Don’t buy a new/factory Dell SFF or Micro for a homelab unless you’re experienced. If you’re new you need to get a feel for exactly what you what you want. And that’s important because these machines are expensive on the Dell site and you can get solid machines for some fraction of the price on eBay.