Hey everyone! I'm looking to build a budget PC that will primarily serve as a NAS/Plex server, as well as host a Minecraft server for myself and my family. It's been a decade since I last built or owned a desktop, so I'm really hoping to avoid ending up with parts that don't work together or won't meet my needs. Here's what I'm considering for the build:
- **Case**: Thermaltake H15 (comes with a 450W PSU)
- **Motherboard**: ASRock A520M/AC
- **CPU**: AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT
- **RAM**: Team T-Force Vulcan Z Gray 16GB (2x8GB) 3200MHz DDR4
- **SSD**: Western Digital WD Green SN3000 1TB SSD
This whole setup is around 500 AUD. I've got some old 3.5" and 2.5" drives that I can use, and I figure I can manage with integrated graphics since I won't be gaming intensively. I'm wondering if there are any major issues with this plan or if I could achieve my goals with a cheaper setup?
4 Answers
Everything in your list looks good and should handle your needs pretty well! You might want to consider a low-power mini PC instead; they take up less space and can still perform admirably for running small servers. Just keep in mind you might need an external drive enclosure to add more storage. If you don't mind a slightly larger case and you want better performance, then stick with your current tower setup, as it generally outperforms mini PCs unless you spend significantly more on the latter.
Yeah, that's true! The power savings with mini PCs isn't always that significant, especially with similar onboard options. A decent setup like yours can idle at a low power draw as well.
Your build looks solid for a NAS and Minecraft server! Just keep in mind that Minecraft can be a bit demanding on the CPU, so it’s good to double-check how well that 5500GT handles it. The RAM and SSD are sufficient, and the PSU seems capable for now. I recommend checking out PCPartPicker for compatibility just in case. Overall, I think you'll be alright! 👍
A quick note on your SSD choice: the SN3000 uses QLC flash which has lower durability and can slow down over time, especially with heavy writing. If it’ll be your OS drive, it might be worth switching to a TLC drive like the WD Blue SN580 instead to avoid early replacement issues.
If you're looking for better CPU performance, consider upgrading to a Ryzen 5600X and adding a low-end graphics card like a Radeon HD 6450 for display purposes. Just a heads up, this might increase your power usage slightly, which you should factor in if that's a concern for you.
I've been looking into mini PCs myself, but they often seem pricier for lower specifications. I might explore some budget brands that you've mentioned since they seem like they could provide good value for money even after considering extra storage.