Proxmox homelab advice requested - low power usage, mid performance - Which TinyMiniMicro?

[bigfellasdad]

Hi, I would like to replace my i3 nuc SSD + NVME + 32GB (Nuc i3 specs) with a low-power refurbished server to have an extra sata
Usually my work with Proxmox is completely homemade
- VM Home Assistant
-VM OMV
-VM Debian
-VM Windows 10
- LXC Apache
The idea would be this
M2 with Proxmox, VM and lxc
Raid 1 ZFS for data
I was reading about the Dell Optiplex 5060 SFF
Could this be a good choice for the TDP and configuration chosen?
Thank you for your time

Ive got a few Lenovo's i no longer use, the best ive found is the M920q, this with 32gb of ram (can add another32gb stick) was plenty for my use. With a 6 core / 6 thread i5-9500t, 256gb m.2 nvme and a 2tb sandisk ssd, 1x1gb nic (vpro) and an additional m.2 based 2.5gb nic it idles at 5w with proxmox and a few LXCs running. Ive got 2 other m910q's with lower spec cpu and only 8gb ram and i5-7500t's, these idled around 7w.

Great little boxes and fab with proxmox clusters.

I never mirrored the disks as i backed them up each night and they are not 'production'

the 9th gen i5's always managed a lower c-state than the 7th gens, in fact the the 9th gen goes lower c-state than my i5-10500!

 

[tonyh]

Hi, thanks for the reply, I located a Dell 5070 sff with an i5-9500 processor (not i5-9500t). As far as consumption is concerned, is it still good?

 

[Marsh]

All the new modern cpu , i5-8xxx , i5-9xxx idle about the same 7-10w , idle power is similar to T series cpu

Dell 5070 SFF is a versatile machine, x16 slot is nice to have

 

[switcherow]

Where's is currently at in 2025?

I need:

• 4 cores minimum
• Upgradeable to 32GB RAM
• Ability to install 10G NIC
• Boot drive
• SSD (M.2 or free PCI slot for card or adapter)

 

[zer0sum]

Where's is currently at in 2025?

I need:

• 4 cores minimum
• Upgradeable to 32GB RAM
• Ability to install 10G NIC
• Boot drive
• SSD (M.2 or free PCI slot for card or adapter)

Lenovo tiny is still king in my opinion

M720q or M920q can be found for under $100 sometimes, and I even scored an M90q for $165

They all have a PCIe slot and easily beat your requirements

 

[switcherow]

Lenovo tiny is still king in my opinion

M720q or M920q can be found for under $100 sometimes, and I even scored an M90q for $165

They all have a PCIe slot and easily beat your requirements

Isn't a 10G PCIe NIC a really tight squeeze?

 

[Greg_E]

Where's is currently at in 2025?

I need:

• 4 cores minimum
• Upgradeable to 32GB RAM
• Ability to install 10G NIC
• Boot drive
• SSD (M.2 or free PCI slot for card or adapter)

HP T740 4 core 8 thread.

Add in a Supermicro AOC-STGN-I2S Dual Port 10GB SFP+ (low profile bracket)

You can also remove the wifi card and add an a+e Intel i226 card for a third Intel port, I glued the connector to the back of the case after cutting a slot for it to fit through. They come with a gigabit Realtek that may or may not work for your application.

Max of 64GB of DDR4 sodimm ram, one internal m.2 SATA slot and one internal m.2 nvme slot. Around $100usd with power supply and working, cheaper if the BIOS is locked (watch my thread for updates on this).

See this for an example https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/mini-truenas-server-build.46107/post-451356

 

[Greg_E]

I should add that if you can find the HP T755 cheap enough for you, it is 6 core/12 thread and I think all the rest applies (but not positive as I don't own any).

 

[switcherow]

HP T740 4 core 8 thread.

Add in a Supermicro AOC-STGN-I2S Dual Port 10GB SFP+ (low profile bracket)

You can also remove the wifi card and add an a+e Intel i226 card for a third Intel port, I glued the connector to the back of the case after cutting a slot for it to fit through. They come with a gigabit Realtek that may or may not work for your application.

Max of 64GB of DDR4 sodimm ram, one internal m.2 SATA slot and one internal m.2 nvme slot. Around $100usd with power supply and working, cheaper if the BIOS is locked (watch my thread for updates on this).

See this for an example https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/mini-truenas-server-build.46107/post-451356

How much power is a T740 using with a 40G NIC, an NVMEe and a boot drive? How much memory do you have installed?

 

[Greg_E]

I haven't measured these yet, but a lot less than the HP DL360 gen8 servers that they are going to replace. Based on heat I'd guess less than 50 watts, probably 30 or less at idle, but just a guess. I'll have to connect my meter to one of them in the near future.

 

[zer0sum]

Isn't a 10G PCIe NIC a really tight squeeze?

Not if you use something like the Supermicro AOC-STGN-I2S which can be found for less than $30 on Ebay etc
There's quite a bit of space in there, and I even have a shucked sata ssd in the same area