I need to keep power usage in mind and don’t want to spend more than 500€ on hardware. Power is roughly 0.35ct/kwh in Germany
I like the small square machines (former NUC). But I don’t have any overview which ones are worth the price.
For data storage I am thinking about a NAS, but it would need at least two HDDs for redundancy, otherwise it’s not better than an external HDD that I have. Also it does have its own power draw, which isn’t insignificant (10w->~300€/10years).
Capabilities of the machine don’t matter too much, I will see what I can do with the hardware I get.
Is there a sweet spot, a device that everyone buys or cheapest brand or best package or whatever?
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You’re worried about power draw, know that each server grade 4500 to 5400 rpm HDD draws around 7watts. You can reduce that impact by having a flash drive for your system files (NAS config, logs, apps…) and setting up spin down times so that your HDDs only spin when in use.
But what do you want to do with the machine? More towards services, more towards storage? Because both RAM and storage are expensive at the moment and will rather get more expensive.
One option would be to buy used, e.g. a DDR4-based system. It’s still not going to be pretty.
I thought maybe have the nextcloud in a nicer shape (more performance, more reliable storage) so I can share it with friends and family without being afraid that I’m the one losing their pictures. That’s the start, not really sure what follows.
Yeah, that’s fair. I currently run a Ryzen 5700g-based system with 32GB RAM, 3 SSDs for system, docker and additional docker storage, also 2x8TB HDD for media storage and backups. The whole thing “idles” at about 37 watts and currently handles Nextcloud, Opencloud, Immich and Jellyfin, along about 40 other smaller containers. Unless something’s really active, the machine is at about 5% load.
So as long as you don’t need to do too many things at the same time (initial Immich scan is a bitch), even a relatively low-powered system can get you a lot.
As the other commented mentioned, each spinning disk will add quite an additional baseload, 5W at least each.
As the other commented mentioned, each spinning disk will add quite an additional baseload, 5W at least each.
Yeah I feel like I might actually go without spinning disks. Crazy world we live in.
Edit: Now that I’m searching around some sources say they have the same power draw??
Don’t forget a solid backup strategy.
Yeah, is there a standard way to do it for homelab?
I’d suggest at least 3-2-1, if documents and photos and other personal data are involved (think *cloud) have a look at https://www.elovade.com/blog/die-3-2-1-1-0-backup-regel-der-neue-standard-fuer-datensicherheit/
Edit: not necessarily with their product (haven’t heard of them before), just as a basis.
Have a look at the intel n100 or n150 chips. I got the asrock n100dc board but that has issues with ram stability so maybe pick something else that’s not cheap aliexpress stuff. In general the chip is very capable and only draws 10w. My whole setup draws 20w with drives rpi router and fiber modem, also German prices :) also use ssds instead of hdds as they draw less and need nothing on „spinup“ as well.
