I'm currently using an old Dell PC as my home server and I'm planning to upgrade to a completely new setup. My old machine handles basic tasks like file storage, Home Assistant, Syncthing, and Jellyfin, but I'm eager to explore Proxmox, virtual machines, and maybe even host some game servers (like Minecraft and 7 Days to Die). I intend to create three virtual machines (Windows 98, Windows 11, and Fedora 42) for personal use, though I won't run them all simultaneously. I might add another VM specifically for hosting games.
I have a couple of concerns about my build. First, the motherboard's built-in ethernet is Realtek, and I'm unsure about its reliability since I've had to replace the network card on my main PC before. I'm worried this might happen again with my new server.
Secondly, the motherboard lacks enough SATA ports, so I'm looking for recommendations on a PCIe card that provides 14 SATA ports and supports RAID to maximize my PC case's capabilities. I plan on getting drive mounts for the case, so that part is sorted.
I've selected two GPUs: one for passthrough to my VM and another for 4K streaming. I'd love advice on whether both are necessary or if there's a better option out there. I don't intend to push AAA games at 4K—just less demanding titles like Darktide or Vermintide on low settings.
I'm trying to stick to a budget of $2500, but I'm open to spending a bit more for good recommendations. I also won't be purchasing additional hard drives right now, although I have a few waiting to be added to the build.
Here's my PCPartPicker list: [https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zK8LRV](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zK8LRV). Thanks for your help!
1 Answer
You probably don’t need a dedicated GPU for your server unless you're going for a specific use case. Most server tasks can be handled just fine by a CPU with integrated graphics. If you're sticking with consumer-grade CPUs, this could really help save on costs and simplify your build!
So you think the CPU alone would suffice for 4K streaming?