Mini PCs are currently trending as Proxmox host machines. In this article, we break 5 best Mini PC for Proxmox servers.
Mini PC have slowly become a core part of a homelab, for running a home server, media server, or even a firewall. The biggest reason for this is the performance they provide at minimal energy consumption.
Only the software/OS side, coincidentally, Proxmox is trending in a similar direction. So, putting them together makes logical sense.
Proxmox is open-source and free-to-use software if you're looking to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) and Linux containers (LXC) on a single server. With this type 1 hypervisor, you can host different applications on different operating systems one host machine.
If you have a secondary PC that you'd like to install Proxmox on instead of buying a new one, you can do that. Most recent systems with CPUs that support virtualization (Intel VT/AMD-V) will work.
However, if it is an underpowered machine, you couldn't install multiple virtual machines, or if the virtual machine you're trying to install is resource-intensive, your existing machine would underperform or could fail to support that.
To answer your question, here's the minimum requirement for Proxmox:.
Intel EMT64 or AMD64 with the Intel VT/AMD-V CPU flag
64-bit CPU
A minimum of 4 GB of RAM (for better performance, 8GB of RAM is recommended).
Now let's explore our top 5 mini-PCs that make these the best mini-PC for Proxmox home server. FYI, we've selected different mini-PCs across different price ranges, so there's something on this list for everyone!
Best Mini PC Options for Proxmox VE
Based on hands-on experience and extensive research, we've picked five of the best mini PC for Proxmox home server.
The GEEKOM A5 Mini PC is a multifunctional system that is used for everything, such as virtualization servers, desktop computers, or routers, and is one of the best mini PC for proxmox.
Geekom A5 Mini Pc, Amd Ryzen 7 5800H
The model that we've selected for this list is affordable and powerful at the same time. It is equipped with the latest Ryzen 7 5800H processor, which has a clock speed of up to 4.4 GHz.
Out of the box, this mini PC comes with 32GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, but both RAM and SSD storage are expandable up to 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.
The processor of this mini PC offers an average PassMark score of 21,099 for transcoding 4K HDR on Plex, which is more than the minimum requirement of 17,000 and 1080p movies seamlessly, as well as transcoding a 1080p stream.
Moreover, this machine is capable of streaming four 4K streams simultaneously and one 8K stream. It comes built-in with Windows 11 Pro, although this means nothing if you are going to Proxmox on it.
Just a heads up that this mini PC supports HEVC codec and doesn't support A1 if that is something that matters to you.
Lastly, unlike other mini PCs, the GEEKOM A5 Mini PC offers and supports Wi-Fi 6, a single 2.5Gbps LAN port, and Bluetooth 5.2, but misses out on the A1 codec. In addition, Plex hardware transcoding is still sketchy on AMD processors but Jellyfin should be OK.
Now, for the pricing, this mini PC costs an affordable $399, which is an amazing steal considering all that this mini PC offers, such as 8K compatibility and more.
Storage: 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD, support expansion to PCIe 4.0 2TB SSD.
The GMKtec M5 Mini PC is another amazing device that's compact, affordable, and 30% more powerful than the previous AMD Ryzen 5 models, namely 5600U, 5560U, and 5500U.
Out of the box, this comes with two 16GB DDR4 RAMs, which are expandable up to 64GB, and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD. It also offers a dual slot expansion to expand the storage up to 4TB.
But unlike the GEEKOM A5 Mini PC, this only supports three simultaneous 4K streams and doesn't offer 8K streaming capability.
Gmktec Mini Pc 5700U M5 Pro
And also has a PassMark score of 15,865, meaning you can't transcode 4K HDR media efficiently and will experience issues, but this can effortlessly transcode a 1080p stream and also supports HEVC codec. As with the Geekom Mini PC listed above, AMD Plex hardware transcoding uncertainty applies to this model too.
Also, this mini PC offers two 2.5Gbps LANs, unlike the GEEKOM A5 Mini PC, which only offers one 2.5Gbps LAN. This makes it ideal for a high bandwidth home server.
The GMKtec M5 Mini PC is one of the best mini PC for Proxmox and comes only in one version, which costs just about $399.99, which is a great bang for the buck for most.
The Topton V700 mini PC is best suited for users who require top-end power at a fairly affordable price for Proxomox home servers. It is without a doubt one of the best mini PC for Proxmox, and I use this mini PC for myself.
My Topton V700 Minipc From Aliexpress - Proxmox Server
This mini PC packs up to an i9 13900H, which is a beast in and of itself to install several virtual machines without breaking a sweat. It is for this reason that Anand powers his home lab with this Mini PC and it hardware-transcodes 4K streams effortlessly using Intel QuickSync.
Mini Homelab Tour - I do a LOT with this Little Proxmox Server and 100+ Docker Apps
The Topton V700 is also extremely customizable, which will help you cut costs significantly. This is the only mini PC that comes with the option to buy it without any RAM or storage pre-installed. If you have these components handy from your other PC, you can install them on this mini PC.
However, if you'd like to configure, you can configure this from a 16GB DDR5 512GB SSD onwards to a 64GB DDR5 4TB SSD.
Moreover, this mini PC is so compact that you can even carry it in your backpack anywhere, but don't let the size fool you.
This mini PC supports four simultaneous 4K streams, offers two PCIE 4.0 + one 2.5-inch SATA, two 2.5Gbps LAN ports, type-C and thunderbolt ports, and more.
But if you're looking for streaming 4K movies and shows, let's say on Plex, this shouldn't be the choice. The i9 13900H chipset has a PassMark score of only 29,382, which is more than the minimum score of 17,000.
For those who are looking for an extremely powerful mini PC at an affordable price, the Topton V700 is an amazing choice, and you can grab this for $.
The Beelink R7-5700U is another best mini PC for Proxmox that's packed with immense power and uses the Red Team's chipset with 8 cores and 16 threads.
Beelink Amd Ryzen 7 5700U Mini Pc
This mini PC is perfect for hardcore tasks like running Proxmox, several resource intensive virtual machines, and other such tasks.
However, like the GMKtec M5 Nucbox, this one has a low PassMark score of 15,685 since both use the same chipset.
This comes packed with all the IOs, such as HDMI ports, DP ports, USB3.2 Gen2 ports, USB2.0 ports, and a Type-C (10 Gbps) port. It also supports three simultaneous 4K at 60 Hz streams, with the DP1.4 port supporting 4K at 144 Hz.
However, unlike other mini PCs on our list that offer 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, this mini PC only offers gigabit ports.
This mini PC is priced at $354 but lacks a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port. Is this the best mini PC for Proxmox? If you're looking for a mid-range mini PC under $400, then yes, this is the best mini PC you could get your hands on!
The Minisforum MS-01 is the beast of a mini PC and is for those who want ultimate performance.
Firstly, it is powered by the top-end Intel Core i9-13900H and comes with 32GB of DDR5 memory, which is expandable up to 96GB out of the box.
Minisforum Ms-01 Mini Workstation Intel Core I9-13900H
This mini PC also offers 2x 10Gbps Ethernet SFP+ and dual 2.5G RJ45 ports, supporting 3 M.2 NVME with RAID 1 and RAID 0 support.
This mini PC has a PassMark score of 29,403, which is going to be amazing if you're into transcoding 4K HDR movies and TV shows on Plex.
However, since the CPU is a hybrid, you'll need to allow the boot parameter for efficient cores on the CPU or disable them altogether - only if you have issues with Proxmox (rare).
Aside from that, this mini PC has a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, 3x USB3.0 type-A ports, 2x USB2.0 type-A ports, and 1x HDMI2.0 ports (4K@60Hz), +2x USB4 40Gbps Type-C (Alt DP, 8K at 30Hz).
However, Minisforum MS-01 is priced premium at $1,039.99. Does it justify it? If you're looking for a mini-PC of Cremé de Le Cremé, nothing gets better than this!
Why Are Mini PCs Best for Proxmox Home Servers?
Mini PCs are the perfect choice for running Proxmox Virtualization Environment for the following reasons:
Energy efficient: Mini PCs run on low power compared to servers and other computing devices; moreover, they're very silent as they use low-noise fans or are passively cooled, which makes this a perfect choice to use as a Proxmox home server. You can keep this running for years without any disturbance and also incur only a fraction of the electricity bill that you'd otherwise get with other computing devices.
They're compact: Mini PCs, as the name suggests, are very small in size, which means they don't take up too much room, and you can set them up and place them in any corner of the room. They make perfect small form factor Proxmox servers
Solid performance: Mini PCs come in different variants at different prices. And depending on your usage and the variant, your ROI in terms of investment and performance is significantly greater. For low usage, you can buy an affordable mini PC, and it will offer significantly more performance than you hoped for. For hard-core usage, you can opt for a higher-end variant, and it will suffice.
Final Thoughts on Best Proxmox Mini PC
So, is a mini PC the secret sauce to your dream home server?
While they might not be for everyone, for those seeking a quiet, space-saving, and budget-friendly solution, mini PCs are a recipe for success.
They offer a delicious mix of low energy consumption, silent operation, and surprisingly good performance, making them the perfect ingredient for a home server that won't break the bank or disrupt your peace.
Abdul Moiz loves technology, fashion, photography, and business. His first love is technology, and he loves talking about it. How does he chill when he's not writing? You are most likely to catch him eating out, traveling, working out, or watching tech videos.
