A home server built for Paperless-ngx document scanning with OCR search, Nextcloud sync and versioned backups. Prices and availability for United Kingdom.
Recommended build
Architecture: tower build on LGA 1700 + Intel Z790
≈ €1,422
Total
Assessmentbalanced
cpu
4C/8T · 4.7 GHz · 60 W
motherboard
Intel Z790 · ATX · 3× M.2
ram
32 GB DDR4 · 2133 MT/s
case
ATX/MATX/ITX · 2× 3.5″
cooling
passive · 150 W TDP
psu
1000 W · titanium · modular
storage
NVME · 8 TB
storage
3.5 HDD · 32 TB
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Based on your goals you need roughly 4 CPU threads, 20GB RAM and 32TB of storage. This system runs 24/7, so energy matters. Recommended: the Value build — most for your money — 1422€ purchase, ~34W idle, ~164€/year energy (≈492€ over 3 years). Intel Core i3 14100: 8 threads covers the 4 needed with headroom. Motherboard Intel Z790 (LGA 1700): matches the CPU socket and case size. RAM: 32GB DDR4 — meets the 20GB the workload requires. Chose Intel Core i3 14100 over Intel Core i3 14100F: better overall fit for your priorities. Build DNA: performance 100, value 84, efficiency 74, expandability 100, silence 95, longevity 100 — overall 88/100. Heads-up: Total (1422€) exceeds your budget (700€) by 722€ (103%). Ranking already prefers in-budget variants — this one is shown for comparison; check the value variant or raise the budget. What limits you first: storage. Alternatives: Smart build — best all-round — 1460€, DNA 92/100, balanced · Long-term build — expandable & future-proof — 1527€, DNA 93/100, balanced.
The system as a whole — before the shopping list.
The system as a whole — before the shopping list.
diy · tower build on LGA 1700 + Intel Z790
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 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| RAM | 20 | 32 | 16 |
| Storage | 32 | 40 | 32 |
| 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.
Strong future-proofing
Strong future-proofing (79/100) — this build should stay relevant for years without major surgery.
DIY build — the CPU, motherboard and PSU can each be upgraded independently without replacing the whole system.
Expansion headroom: 2 PCIe slot(s), 2 M.2, 3 SATA, 1 drive bay(s), 2 RAM slot(s) free.
Storage is 80% utilized with 1 free drive bay(s) and 3 free SATA port(s).
2 RAM slot(s) free; memory is 63% utilized.
Networking is 2500 Mbps, and a free PCIe slot can add a faster NIC later.
ATX form factor with standard, socketed components — most parts are easy to replace.
No GPU, but there is room (2 PCIe slot(s), PSU headroom 10.5x) to add one for AI/transcoding.
Low risk
Low risk (13/100) — sensible redundancy and headroom; no single point of failure is exposed.
Single point of failure
Risk: lowStorage has redundancy (mirror) — a single drive failure does not take the array down.
Fix: Continue a 3-2-1 backup strategy; redundancy is not a backup.
Storage risk
Risk: medium1 desktop hard drive(s) — not rated for 24/7 duty, vibration or heat; higher long-run 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: lowRedundancy protects against drive failure, though it is not a substitute for backups.
Fix: Follow a 3-2-1 backup rule: at least one copy off the box.
Power risk
Risk: lowPSU is 1000W, peak load 95W (10%).
Fix: PSU sizing leaves healthy headroom for spikes and future parts.
Network risk
Risk: lowSingle 2500 Mbps NIC — a switch/port failure takes the box fully offline, and multi-user media can saturate 2500 Mbps.
Fix: Consider a second NIC or a managed switch; for heavy media, plan for 2.5/10G before the build.
Expansion risk
Risk: low2 PCIe, 2 M.2, 3 SATA, 1 bays free.
Fix: Healthy room for future drives, NICs and accelerators.
Upgrade risk
Risk: low2024 platform — current generation with a forward-looking socket/feature set.
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 (1422€) exceeds your budget (700€) by 722€ (103%). Ranking already prefers in-budget variants — this one is shown for comparison; check the value variant or raise the budget.
Action: Reconsider the config for the stated workload or budget before buying.
Category: balance
Use NAS-rated drives
OptimizationDesktop drives in an always-on NAS/server role have higher long-run failure rates.
Action: Prefer NAS/CMR-rated drives for 24/7 duty.
Category: storage
Add a UPS
OptionalAn always-on server holding data should survive power blips.
Action: Add an online/line-interactive UPS sized to the build's idle draw.
Category: power
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
Future2 RAM slot(s) free for a later upgrade.
Action: Leave them free until the workload actually grows.
Category: memory
Drive bays remain
Future1 drive bay(s) free for future capacity.
Action: Expand capacity in pairs (mirror/parity) when needed.
Category: storage
PCIe slot available
Future2 free PCIe slot(s) for a NIC, HBA or GPU later.
Action: Use it for a 10G NIC, extra HBA, or an accelerator when the need appears.
Category: expansion
Storage nearly full is the most likely thing to date this build within 1-2y.
Storage nearly full
Why: 80% of raw capacity is already in use — media libraries and backups grow fast.
What to do: Expanding is easy: add a drive to the free bays/ports.
storage is the closest to its limit (80% 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.
tower build on LGA 1700 + Intel Z790 · Idle 34 W · balanced
≈ €1,460
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpu | Intel Core i3 14100 | 1 | €164 | … |
| motherboard | Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 ATX | 1 | ≈ €139 | … |
| ram | G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-2133 CL15 32GB (2x16GB) | 1 | €62 | … |
| case | TRYX FLOVA F50 Black | 1 | €138 | … |
| cooling | Thermalright Le Grand Macho Air 159mm Fanless | 1 | ≈ €35 | … |
| psu | be quiet! Dark Power 13 Fully Modular ATX Power Supply - 1000 Watts ATX 3.1 - Black | 1 | €96 | … |
| storage | Rocket Q NVMe SSD | 1 | €122 | … |
| storage | Seagate Exos M 32TB 3.5" HDD 7200RPM SATA 6.0 Gb/s | 1 | ≈ €704 | … |
| Total: | ≈ €1,460 | |||
tower build on LGA 1851 + Intel B860 · Idle 35 W · balanced
≈ €1,527
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpu | Intel Core Ultra 5 225F | 1 | €178 | … |
| motherboard | MSI PRO B860M-A WIFI LGA1851 DDR5 Micro-ATX | 1 | €149 | … |
| ram | Acer HT200 32GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5 6000 CL30 Black | 1 | €105 | … |
| case | TRYX FLOVA F50 Black | 1 | €138 | … |
| cooling | Thermalright Le Grand Macho Air 159mm Fanless | 1 | ≈ €35 | … |
| psu | be quiet! Dark Power 13 Fully Modular ATX Power Supply - 1000 Watts ATX 3.1 - Black | 1 | €96 | … |
| storage | Rocket Q NVMe SSD | 1 | €122 | … |
| storage | Seagate Exos M 32TB 3.5" HDD 7200RPM SATA 6.0 Gb/s | 1 | ≈ €704 | … |
| Total: | ≈ €1,527 | |||
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