I currently run all my self-hosted apps either on Podman in a VM or in LXCs on Proxmox. For hardware, I’m using a Chinese-made mini computer with an Intel N150 and 16GB of DDR5 RAM that I bought before the whole AI hype started. I also have a Synology NAS that I use mainly for media and photo storage.

I’ve been thinking about tinkering with Kubernetes in my homelab for a while now (I already use it extensively at work, so I’m quite familiar with it), and I started looking around for used hardware to use as bare metal nodes. Nothing fancy—I’m looking for 1 or 2 mini servers or SFF with at least 16GB of memory and a decent CPU (4–6 cores). But with current prices, even decently priced used hardware (~200–250€) is quite difficult to find in Europe, and most of it is HP stuff with Lenovo being a rare breed around here. I won’t even get started on newly bought hardware…

If you’ve bought hardware in this market recently, how did it go for you? Or are most of you holding out for now, waiting for better times?

  • moonpiedumplings@programming.devEnglish
    8·
    7 days ago

    Even used stuff is expensive nowadays.

    Anyway, you can buy these used refurbished small form factor business PC’s.

    These things: https://www.servethehome.com/introducing-project-tinyminimicro-home-lab-revolution/

    I was recently at a tech conference and I met a guy who was selling 16 gb ram one’s for 30 usd, since they had managed to track them down that cheap in bulk somewhere. What happens is that corporations or govt get rid of them due to warranty expiry, so they need to be offloaded somewhere.

    You probably won’t be able to find them that cheap but it’s definitely more affordable than new stuff. It used to be cheaper but I mostly see 200 usd in my searches.

    • irmadlad@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      6 days ago

      Even used stuff is expensive nowadays.

      No shit! I was shopping NewEgg for some used drives. Found a 500 GB HDD for $36 USD which I immediately clicked on only to find this warning:

      Used - Very Good Erased (DoD 5220.22 M Compliant) and tested. There may be drives that have up to 25 bad sectors. There may be writing or >markings on the drive or the label may vary slightly from picture.

      WTF. Who would buy a used HDD with up to 25 bad sectors?

      • adarza@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        6 days ago

        i have no idea.

        i personally bin (recycle bin, that is) any drive (ssd or hdd) that has any abnormality in its internal diagnostics data, or won’t pass short and long diagnostics tests even if their stats are clean.

    • Eldaroth@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      7 days ago

      Thanks for the link! I think I saw this project mentioned in some other post as well, but honestly didn’t look further into it then.

      Oh wow 30 bucks a unit for 16 GB, that’s just insanely lucky to find a deal like that.

      Looking around in my region, there is from time to time the odd deal where you could get for example a HP EliteDesk 800 G4 Mini with 16 gigs for like below 200€ if you’re lucky and with the right timing. But usually they will net you 260€ upwards.