Getting started with my new Homelab Servers - Pt1 What I've bought

[@JackRussell021]

I had an old Xeon machine that I am ready to chuck in the bin. The main issue is this - while the machine functions, it just throws off tons of heat, and my office got uncomfortably hot in the summer. So the AC has to work harder and harder. But some of these older machines didn't have USB3 or any of the other niceties, and as a result copying data on/off the machine is slow. The and the processor is so old that it won't run Windows 11. It won't run Android emulator. I could go on and on about the things that it can't do just because the processor is old. It sounds mundane, but the electricity that the things are drawing gets to be a noticeable expense. I am going the SBC route - the replacement board that I have only draws ~20W if I am just streaming a video, but there are even lower-power options out there. And my office is now a much more comfortable temperature all of the time. There are many SBC to choose from, depending on your needs.

[@justanotherhuman-d6l]

20 series got an html 5 viewer for iDRAC which is the biggest reason not to get anything earlier imho.

[@johnterpack3940]

I keep looking at SBCs for a budget homelab. But it's hard to justify $100 for a top-tier SBC when a retired server will get me 100x the performance at the same price. I just don't know that I want a rack in my office. And even a 1u server is a bit overkill for a DNS/adblock box. Looking forward to checking out more of this series. It seems exactly like what I've been looking for.

[@brannancloward]

There is NO SUCH THING as overkill in a homelab!

[@JimtheITguy]

True....but keeping within a good power bracket and tech level is sensible

[@johndan4986]

Subscribed, coz I love homelabs. So I can't wait for the drive through of the servers.

[@JimtheITguy]

Will do my best, learning KZbin and filming as I go

[@johndan4986]

@@JimtheITguy the first video is not bad, i have 1 dell r720 xd as my main server and r720 as nas server and backup server for my entire homelab. Both servers are running e5 quad processors but i will be upgrading r720 xd to e5- 2670 v2 with 40 cores and 148 ram. Am still interested in knowing the storage recommendations. Both willl be running proxmox. Vms to run includes unifi controller, pihole dns, home assistant, plex, true nas core, macos, 2 win 11 gaming vms, and many more for my testing environment.

[@handersonbarros7203]

hi i am having a issue in my dell, there are a error RAC0501 there are no physical disks to be displayed can you helpe me with this?

[@TheRontheo]

Hello Jim, Thanks for the video how are you dealing with the R420 fan noise?

[@JimtheITguy]

As yet they are silent as they are off awaiting more work, but the R320 isn't too bad for noise but it's not silent

[@TransGalGaming]

I went old with an R410 just to experiment. I never toyed with a server. Managed to get it Running, OS installed, and Networked, Hard drives Raid'd and now its my NAS/Anime streaming device. I would like to upgrade later since it limits to 12tb and 3 of the 4 4TB drives are seen and the 4th.. is just sitting. would the X20 series be better for uses as NAS'?

[@JimtheITguy]

Indeed so, Less power used, support for larger drives out of the box, If your looking at something for NAS duties look for a 2u server so R520/R720 with 3.5" bays for capacity

[@TransGalGaming]

@@JimtheITguy Awesome, Thank you for the suggestion!

[@mamdouh-Tawadros]

I agree on the principle of buying the new is better. But if you compare power draw between a dual LGA 1366 server, and a dual e5 2600 v3, you will find they withdraw almost same power. Of course new CPU are efficient and powerful, but old cpu are reliable. In a home setting you don’t need a lot of powerful CPU. As you mentioned the NUCs, Qnap….etc are the best, but they are expensive. So it is a balancing act. Thank you for a great video and channel.

[@theeggman4806]

New sub...just acquired a Dell T620...its a beast.

[@TheBetaProject1]

Hi Jim, The R*20 Models only support DDR3 and from what I've heard the energy cost is 1.5x. I'm also UK based and have been aiming for R*30s only and G9s. Do you think I'm overthinking it? Due to energy prices I feel it's the right move? I'm seeing them for around 200-300 with board and CPU.

[@JimtheITguy]

It's always a balance, if you can afford to go for the newer generation of kit then it will save you money overall even if that's just in less time wasted making things work and longevity of supported kit, I would stick with Dell purely for the availability of updates and parts

[@davebilson]

Don't you find they are just too loud to run in a homelab? I have 2 x Dell Poweredge r710 (each with 8 x 3TB SAS drives and 128GB RAM). I also have an old HP DL server. I also have a UCoustic 9210 24U Passive server rack. They are too loud and too power hungry for a home lab, especially if it is in a room where people live.

[@JimtheITguy]

They can be wound down to a sensible volume but they aren't quiet, but an 11th gen Dell is a very inefficient server now and uses alot of power and this gives alot of heat. You would probably do well to look for some newer generation servers

[@ldavader2704]

Hi Jim, there are very cheap options in the UK but the best price-performance ratio I could find abroad are HP dl360 gen 7 and dl360p gen8... Do you think they are worth it (they bring the latest firmware and I'm looking forward to install esxi 7.0...)?

[@JimtheITguy]

Gen8 just about, gen 7 no, always go as new as you can afford, cheaper to run, more chance of actually being compatible with modern software and also more chances that it wont be a massive security hole due to running really out of date software

[@boefercd]

for information for hp starting from 8th gen no paywall

[@JimtheITguy]

9th gen most definitely has a paywall, I had to hunt high and low for updates for the units I have

[@barryraymond9004]

@@JimtheITguy I bought a gen10 ML110 and no paywall. You must create an HPE account, but you do not have to give them money.

[@agle_6098]

we dont need more e-waste, have fun with machines

[@210Artemka]

Lowest price for gen 8 Dell I saw was 600$ with no storage...

[@mikethemakermakes]

What country do you live in, prices can vary a lot by region.

[@nitropan]

your thoughts on a R510 for a NAS?

[@JimtheITguy]

Find an R520 if you can, anything that's not got a pre Sandy Bridge CPU

[@nitropan]

@@JimtheITguy I got a R510 pretty cheap but its so loud.. I might just sell it and get a R720

[@JimtheITguy]

@@nitropan one of the many issues, enterprise servers are never the quietest but the newer generations are quieter, more efficient overall and you aren't dealing with real legacy hardware...iDrac6 is just awfull