A tiny always-on server for network-wide ad blocking (Pi-hole/AdGuard) behind a reverse proxy with uptime monitoring.
Recommended build
Architecture: mini system — Intel Pentium Gold 7505
€332
Total
Assessmentbalanced
platform
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Based on your goals you need roughly 2 CPU threads, 4GB RAM and 0TB of storage. This system runs 24/7, so energy matters. Recommended: the Value build — most for your money — 332€ purchase, ~5W idle, ~18€/year energy (≈53€ over 3 years). GEEKOM Air12 — Intel Pentium Gold 7505: 4 threads, 8GB RAM, 5W idle — a complete, efficient prebuilt for this workload. Turnkey: no assembly, smaller footprint, lower energy than a custom build. Build DNA: performance 100, value 100, efficiency 100, expandability 10, silence 90, longevity 100 — overall 90/100. Heads-up: Total (332€) exceeds your budget (300€) by 32€ (11%). Ranking already prefers in-budget variants — this one is shown for comparison. What limits you first: storage. Alternatives: Smart build — best all-round — 415€, DNA 91/100, overkill · Long-term build — expandable & future-proof — 415€, DNA 86/100, overkill · Efficiency build — lowest energy — 415€, DNA 94/100, overkill · Silent build — acoustics first — 415€, DNA 90/100, overkill · Build yourself — for comparison — 761€, DNA 92/100, balanced.
The system as a whole — before the shopping list.
The system as a whole — before the shopping list.
prebuilt · mini system — Intel Pentium Gold 7505
We split your build into the performance you need, the performance you're buying, and the performance you're likely to use day-to-day. When the gap is wide, you're overbuying.
BALANCED — the build is sized close to what the workload requires.
| Performance I need | Performance I buy | Likely to use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU threadsoverbuy | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| RAM | 4 | — | 3 |
| Storage | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GPU VRAM | — | — | — |
| Network | 1.0G | 1.0G | 1.0G |
What this means
An explainable future-proof score, the Homelab Risk Score, a final pre-purchase audit and what will become the limiting factor over time.
Limited future-proofing
Limited future-proofing (34/100) — expect to upgrade or rebuild sooner rather than later.
Prebuilt platform — the CPU/motherboard are not swappable in the usual sense, so the upgrade path is limited to RAM/storage/PCIe.
Expansion headroom: 0 PCIe slot(s), 0 M.2, 0 SATA, 0 drive bay(s), 1 RAM slot(s) free.
Storage is 78% utilized with 0 free drive bay(s) and 0 free SATA port(s).
1 RAM slot(s) free; memory is 10% utilized.
Networking is 1000 Mbps.
Prebuilt — proprietary parts can make replacement harder.
No GPU and little room to add one — demanding AI/transcoding workloads would be out of reach.
Moderate risk
Moderate risk (46/100) — a few items are worth fixing before you commit (see checklist).
Single point of failure
Risk: criticalStorage has no redundancy (0 drives, no mirror/parity) — a single drive failure exposes the array.
Fix: Add at least a mirror (RAID 1/ZFS mirror) for irreplaceable data, or an additional parity drive for larger arrays.
Storage risk
Risk: lowSolid-state storage — no moving parts, low mechanical failure risk.
Fix: For an always-on system, prefer NAS/CMR-rated drives; monitor SMART and replace before the warranty ends.
Data loss risk
Risk: lowNo significant data stored — low exposure.
Fix: Add redundancy and an off-site/off-box backup for anything irreplaceable.
Power risk
Risk: criticalNo PSU detected in the configuration.
Fix: Add a PSU sized at ~1.5x the peak load for efficiency headroom.
Network risk
Risk: mediumSingle 1000 Mbps NIC — a switch/port failure takes the box fully offline, and multi-user media can saturate 1000 Mbps.
Fix: Consider a second NIC or a managed switch; for heavy media, plan for 2.5/10G before the build.
Expansion risk
Risk: high0 PCIe, 0 M.2, 0 SATA, 0 bays free.
Fix: If you foresee adding drives, a NIC or a GPU, choose a case/board with more slots before buying.
Upgrade risk
Risk: lowPrebuilt platform — the next CPU generation will almost certainly require a new system.
Fix: Buy for the workload, not the socket — upgrade paths are a bonus, not a guarantee.
Audit found 1 critical and 0 warning item(s) worth fixing before you buy.
Check the balance
CriticalTotal (332€) exceeds your budget (300€) by 32€ (11%). Ranking already prefers in-budget variants — this one is shown for comparison.
Action: Reconsider the config for the stated workload or budget before buying.
Category: balance
Plan faster networking
Optimization1G networking is fine today but will bottleneck multi-user media or big NAS transfers at 0.2TB.
Action: Budget for a 2.5G/10G NIC and switch later, or spec it now.
Category: network
Keep a backup off-box
OptionalRedundancy inside the box does not survive fire, theft or a whole-array fault.
Action: Mirror the important data to an external drive, a second box, or cloud.
Category: storage
RAM expansion available
Future1 RAM slot(s) free for a later upgrade.
Action: Leave them free until the workload actually grows.
Category: memory
Storage nearly full is the most likely thing to date this build within 1-2y.
Storage nearly full
Why: 78% of raw capacity is already in use — media libraries and backups grow fast.
What to do: No free bays/ports — the next capacity jump requires a DAS or a rebuild.
1G networking becomes the ceiling
Why: A 1000 Mbps link will cap NAS transfers and multi-user media before the CPU or disks do.
What to do: Factor a NIC into the next hardware purchase.
No expansion left
Why: Every slot and bay is used — adding anything means replacing parts.
What to do: Keep this build single-purpose and plan a second box for new workloads.
storage is the closest to its limit (78% of capacity in use) — it will likely force the next upgrade.
Runner-up variants the engine generated for the same scenario — tap one to see its parts.
mini system — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U · Idle 7 W · overkill
€415
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| platform | GEEKOM A5 — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 1 | €415 | … |
| Total: | €415 | |||
mini system — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U · Idle 7 W · overkill
€415
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| platform | GEEKOM A5 — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 1 | €415 | … |
| Total: | €415 | |||
mini system — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U · Idle 7 W · overkill
€415
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| platform | GEEKOM A5 — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 1 | €415 | … |
| Total: | €415 | |||
mini system — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U · Idle 7 W · overkill
€415
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| platform | GEEKOM A5 — AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 1 | €415 | … |
| Total: | €415 | |||
mini build on LGA 1151 + Intel Z370 · Idle 22 W · balanced
≈ €761
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpu | Intel Core i5 7500T 2.7 GHz 4-Core LGA1151 | 1 | ≈ €60 | … |
| motherboard | Asus Z370 ROG Strix Z370-H Gaming DDR4 ATX | 1 | ≈ €139 | … |
| ram | Crucial Ballistix Sport Gray / Silver DDR4-2400 CL16 8GB (1x8GB) | 1 | ≈ €30 | … |
| case | Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Black | 1 | €94 | … |
| cooling | Thermalright Le Grand Macho Air 159mm Fanless | 1 | ≈ €35 | … |
| psu | SeaSonic PRIME Fanless Black 700W Fully Modular 80+ Titanium Certified | 1 | €281 | … |
| storage | Rocket Q NVMe SSD | 1 | €122 | … |
| Total: | ≈ €761 | |||
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