If all you need is small generic linux server running Debian/Ubuntu or few VMs in proxmox there may be better/cheaper small intel/amd mini pc/router boxes designed precisely for this.Would a Raspberry Pi 5 starter kit with active cooler, M.2 HAT+ board with a 240Mb SSD be a sensible and practical choice as the basis for various servers?
Pi5 makes more sense if you would actually use specific hardware or software of Pi5, prefer ARM architecture or community/support around Pi or want to learn by overcoming various additional hw and sw obstacles and limits you otherwise wouldn't have.
Those small intel boxes are typically more expandable regarding ram, ssd, network, more performant and can be even cheaper. For some examples try to search aliexpress for keywords like N100 router firewall mini pc.
Another alternative is used thin clients or mini PCs made by HP, Dell, they are even more cheap. Wyse 5070 is about the same speed as Pi5 or slightly faster and I can see tons of them on ebay in various configurations for ~ 80 EUR.
But if you simply want Pi5 then definitely go for it. Or wait for CM5 which will have more options for expandability when combined with various CM4/CM5 boards available.
Statistics: Posted by fanoush — Tue Jun 11, 2024 10:26 am