this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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One of my "servers" I picked up for $15, saving from electronics "recycling". Unless you're transcoding video or hosting something with a hefty database that eats ram, whatever you can scrounge is generally good enough.
Debian and proxmox is pretty much my host for everything. I run a bunch of containers, usually lxc though a few docker containers here and there.
Jellyfin doesn't have much in the way of requirements if you're not transcoding, and if you've got a relatively modern iGPU on intel, you've got plenty of power to transcode as well. Pi-hole is also pretty lightweight.
In terms of where to find something, I'd start with checking if there are local computer recycling companies, they will resell, and I've found they go cheap if you go direct. Otherwise, it depends on where you are. Craigslist occasionally has worthwhile stuff, sometimes ebay, sometimes (and I hate that its become so popular) facebook market. Or maybe just see when a business is getting rid of their off lease stuff and see if you can take something home.
At this point I'm almost exclusively tiny/mini/micro. When one dies (which happened recently), I gut the useful bits and move it somewhere else, or add it to the replacement - which is how my most recent addition, a nuc, has 32gb ram rather than 8gb, and a 500gb m2 rather than a 128gb m2.
Have fun!