A home server built for Paperless-ngx document scanning with OCR search, Nextcloud sync and versioned backups.
Recommended build
Architecture: tower build on LGA 1700 + Intel B760
≈ €1,358
Total
Assessmentbalanced
cpu
4C/8T · 4.3 GHz · LGA 1700 · 58 W
motherboard
Intel B760 · MATX · 2× M.2
ram
32 GB DDR4 · 2133 MT/s
case
ATX/MATX/ITX · 2× 3.5″
cooling
passive · 150 W TDP
psu
650 W · platinum · 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 — 1358€ purchase, ~30W idle, ~114€/year energy (≈341€ over 3 years). Intel Core i3 12100F: 8 threads covers the 4 needed with headroom. Motherboard Intel B760 (LGA 1700): matches the CPU socket and case size. RAM: 32GB DDR4 — meets the 20GB the workload requires. Chose Intel Core i3 12100F over Intel Core i3 12100T: better overall fit for your priorities. Build DNA: performance 100, value 85, efficiency 78, expandability 81, silence 95, longevity 92 — overall 86/100. Heads-up: Total (1358€) exceeds your budget (700€) by 658€ (94%). 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 — 1420€, DNA 93/100, balanced · Long-term build — expandable & future-proof — 1431€, 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 B760
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.
Balanced future-proofing
Balanced future-proofing (67/100) — it covers today's workload with some room, but one or two factors will push you to upgrade sooner.
DIY build — the CPU, motherboard and PSU can each be upgraded independently without replacing the whole system.
Expansion headroom: 2 PCIe slot(s), 1 M.2, 3 SATA, 1 drive bay(s), 0 RAM slot(s) free.
Storage is 80% utilized with 1 free drive bay(s) and 3 free SATA port(s).
0 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 7x) 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 650W, peak load 93W (14%).
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, 1 M.2, 3 SATA, 1 bays free.
Fix: Healthy room for future drives, NICs and accelerators.
Upgrade risk
Risk: low2022 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 (1358€) exceeds your budget (700€) by 658€ (94%). 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
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
RAM is maxed out is the most likely thing to date this build within 1-2y.
RAM is maxed out
Why: All RAM slots are used and the workload already sits at 63% — the next memory need means replacing kits or a new build.
What to do: Buy a single larger kit now, or plan the RAM for the full lifecycle.
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 30 W · balanced
≈ €1,420
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpu | Intel Core i3 14100 | 1 | €167 | … |
| motherboard | Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 ATX | 1 | ≈ €139 | … |
| ram | G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-2133 CL15 32GB (2x16GB) | 1 | €62 | … |
| case | Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Black | 1 | €94 | … |
| cooling | Thermalright Le Grand Macho Air 159mm Fanless | 1 | ≈ €35 | … |
| psu | Mistel MX650 Black FANLESS ATX 650W Fully Modular 80+ Platinum | 1 | ≈ €97 | … |
| storage | Rocket Q NVMe SSD | 1 | €122 | … |
| storage | Seagate Exos M 32TB 3.5" HDD 7200RPM SATA 6.0 Gb/s | 1 | ≈ €704 | … |
| Total: | ≈ €1,420 | |||
tower build on LGA 1700 + Intel Z790 · Idle 31 W · balanced
≈ €1,431
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpu | Intel Core i3 14100 | 1 | €167 | … |
| motherboard | Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 ATX | 1 | ≈ €139 | … |
| ram | G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-2133 CL15 32GB (2x16GB) | 1 | €62 | … |
| case | Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Black | 1 | €94 | … |
| cooling | Thermalright Le Grand Macho Air 159mm Fanless | 1 | ≈ €35 | … |
| psu | be quiet! Dark Power 12 Black 750W Fully Modular 80+ Titanium Certified | 1 | ≈ €108 | … |
| storage | Rocket Q NVMe SSD | 1 | €122 | … |
| storage | Seagate Exos M 32TB 3.5" HDD 7200RPM SATA 6.0 Gb/s | 1 | ≈ €704 | … |
| Total: | ≈ €1,431 | |||
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