Replace a server with a NUC

[bar1]

Hi everyone....
was wondering what are your thoughts about replacing a server (i have an HP , gen8, 16gb RAM with xeon 1260L v2)
with something like this?

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www.banggood.com

I dont really need the 4 bays anymore....most of my stuff is on the cloud and i can just connect my 8TB drive via USB3.
I do like the ilo interface....but other then that, i think the mini PC is a much better option?

I am running unraid on the server, with plex and a few vm's and dockers.

 

[CranialBlaze]

I have been running an entire media server off one for close on 3 years.

Docker compose is running traefik, Plex, enby, sonarr, radarr, transmission, home assistant, cloudflare dns, whoami, hydra2 and jackett.

Have a 512ssd as the main with 8gb ram and a 4tb external for the actual media. Only time it runs into issues is if it has to transcode, but that very seldom happens and is usually the result of a borked download.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

I was looking at mini pc's to use as a server, the idea of the power consumption on a full server when I wouldnt need all of that power didnt sit well.
I eventually just upgrade my laptop and used my old i7 one as the server. It lives inside of a cupboard so heat isnt really an issue with the laptop.

 

[Hamster]

I haven't posted them online yet but I do have three Pi's (3, 4 and zero) I do not have a use for anymore. If it (the 4) can work for you instead drop me a PM. Am in JHB though.

Regarding the NUC - I had a look at them a while back but I always thought them too expensive for what they are and apparently they struggle to run Linux (although this may have changed since then). The size is great though. Why have a big box if you can have a smaller more power efficient one.

 

[CranialBlaze]

I haven't posted them online yet but I do have three Pi's (3, 4 and zero) I do not have a use for anymore. If it (the 4) can work for you instead drop me a PM. Am in JHB though.

Regarding the NUC - I had a look at them a while back but I always thought them too expensive for what they are and apparently they struggle to run Linux (although this may have changed since then). The size is great though. Why have a big box if you can have a smaller more power efficient one.

I’m running Linux on mine, not sure it ever had windows on it, the guy I bought it from also ran Linux.

 

[Hamster]

I’m running Linux on mine, not sure it ever had windows on it, the guy I bought it from also ran Linux.

Yeah, it's like the AMD chips. Eventually they make Linux work and life goes on. Good to know this is fixed though, may revisit the NUC in the future myself

 

[bar1]

I do have a pi4, but using it for back up during loadshedding....dont think it can handle all my stuff

 

[HavocXphere]

Yeah it'll work. Do note that it's a Zen+ based CPU while Zen2 mini PCs are already available and Zen3 isn't far off

I'd also look at the memory closely. This sounds like it comes with a 8gb stick? If you want to virtualize stuff that is less than ideal cause it forces a 8gb in the 2nd slot

Still it'll be a sizable upgrade from your existing one & will work nicely as a light (non-virt) server

 

[HavocXphere]

I always thought them too expensive for what they are and apparently they struggle to run Linux (although this may have changed since then).

The AMD ones are still a struggle cause only the newest kernels support them.

The mini PCs also tend to come with crappy BIOSs.

Still...pretty happy with mine. Glad I didn't go for a full sized server/desktop form factor

 

[bar1]

alright maybe i'll wait for the zen 3
any idea what price i can expect from my micro server gen 8?
16gb ecc RAM with xeon 1260L v2

 

[Nimz]

Just sold my desktop PC and found a bargain for a HP Desktop Mini MP9 (G4)

So far it does everything I need it to - no regrets yet

 

[Rickster]

Hi everyone....
was wondering what are your thoughts about replacing a server (i have an HP , gen8, 16gb RAM with xeon 1260L v2)
with something like this?

Minisforum DeskMini DMAF5 3.7GHz AMD Ryzen5 3550H Radeon Vega 8 Graphics Dual Channel 8G DDR4 256GB SSD bluetooth 5.1 WiFi 6 Win 10 Mini PC Desktop PC

Only US$499.99, buy best minisforum deskmini dmaf5 3.7ghz amd ryzen5 3550h radeon vega 8 graphics dual channel 8g ddr4 256gb ssd bluetooth 5.1 wifi 6 win 10 mini pc desktop pc sale online store at wholesale price.

www.banggood.com

I dont really need the 4 bays anymore....most of my stuff is on the cloud and i can just connect my 8TB drive via USB3.
I do like the ilo interface....but other then that, i think the mini PC is a much better option?

I am running unraid on the server, with plex and a few vm's and dockers.

I would keep the Micro server for personal reasons.

Also a NUC is an Intel product, the one you linked to is just a SFF PC, not a NUC.

 

[Wakandafication]

I run Proxmox on a 7th Gen i3 NUC. Firmware is exceptional and second hand they're about 50%

 

[IndigoIdentity]

I did this a few years ago and ended up regretting it.

Thing is, server hardware is generally built for an always on use case, NUC is not technically designed for this. First the power adapter failed, then display port failed, then I ended up with motherboard problems.

Granted they are likely built better now than when I last tried but my guess is that you too will run into similar issues when it comes to running the NUC in a server type of environment.

 

[CranialBlaze]

I did this a few years ago and ended up regretting it.

Thing is, server hardware is generally built for an always on use case, NUC is not technically designed for this. First the power adapter failed, then display port failed, then I ended up with motherboard problems.

Granted they are likely built better now than when I last tried but my guess is that you too will run into similar issues when it comes to running the NUC in a server type of environment.

My nuc has not been off in 3 years, occasional restarts after bigger updates, but it’s not actually been off.

 

[IndigoIdentity]

My nuc has not been off in 3 years, occasional restarts after bigger updates, but it’s not actually been off.

Out of internet sake, what generation and do you have a sata drive installed?

 

[CranialBlaze]

Out of internet sake, what generation and do you have a sata drive installed?

Not sure, got it used, model no DN2820FYK and yeah, 500gb ssd

 

[HavocXphere]

alright maybe i'll wait for the zen 3

It's a question of needs vs costs to be honest. I just spent about 16k on a zen 2 so zen 3 is presumably gonna be even more spicy. And looking back that was a bit overkill

I would keep the Micro server for personal reasons.

Also a NUC is an Intel product, the one you linked to is just a SFF PC, not a NUC.

The NUCs are kinda on the backfoot at the moment

Top end NUC passmark - 10111
Top end AMD SFF passmark - 17278

PassMark - Intel Core i7-10710U @ 1.10GHz - Price performance comparison

PassMark - AMD Ryzen 7 4800U - Price performance comparison

Still with these things it's not like gaming. If the server does it's job as desired then that is enough

edit...haven't checked pricing on the above two. Maybe the nucs are cheaper

 

[IndigoIdentity]

Not sure, got it used, model no DN2820FYK and yeah, 500gb ssd

Interesting, guess the experience is somewhat of a lucky packet then.

My problems only really started once the warranty had ended so it has left a bit of bias.

My original point still stands though, server hardware is specifically designed for this type of situation so you'll likely end up with more consistent results, longer lifespan of the hardware components, etc.

 

[Willie Trombone]

I do have a pi4, but using it for back up during loadshedding....dont think it can handle all my stuff

8Gb version?
Boots and runs nicely off SSD.