Subj : ESXi
To   : niter3
From : Accession
Date : Thu Nov 06 2025 17:17:20

Hey niter3!

On Thu, 06 Nov 2025 06:07:46 -0500, you wrote:

 > If I recall you're running an HP desktop server... I'm running a Lenovo
 > ST50.

Yeah, HP Proliant ML310e Gen8, to be specific.

 > I've been on the fence about switching to a mini pc for my needs in the
 > future. Small form factor machine with my NAS. Should really be all that
 > I need.

I've looked at a few, but it seems these are newer, and more expensive than the server hardware I've been looking at.

 > The only disadvantage, it won't be server hardware grade. No ECC ram and
 > no Xeons...

The machine I have I bought used back in like 2012. No idea how long it was used before me, but I replaced the HDDs with new ones, and it has ran like a champ for 13+ years non-stop. That would be my only argument for preference of server grade hardware, though.

 > Does it matter? As long as I can get the same type of uptime, I'd be
 > happy and save money, and space, and maybe cut a few dollars on my hydro
 > bill.

Ultimately, it's your setup, you do what you want with it!

How are you thinking you'll save money? Are you comparing new vs new? I've been looking at some server hardware on Ebay and Amazon for like $400-$700 range, whereas most of those mini pcs are upwards of $1000..?

Or are you only needing like a 4 core with 16gb ram?

I'm looking at anywhere from 16-40 cores, and like 64-256g of ram. Something that will last a long while and I won't run out of things to do with it (as many VMs as I'll ever need, etc). My current server is only 4 cores with 4 threads, and I have 4 VMs using 2 cores each, so I'm already bottlenecked. :)

Regards,
Nick

.... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
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