A home server for Jellyfin with hardware transcoding and media storage.
Recommended build
Architecture: tower build on LGA 1700 + Intel B760
≈ €1,681
Total
Assessmenttight_on_cpu
cpu
4C/8T · 4.7 GHz · LGA 1700 · 58 W
motherboard
Intel B760 · MATX · 2× M.2
ram
64 GB DDR4 · 4000 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
gpu
6 GB VRAM · 70 W · CUDA
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Based on your goals you need roughly 8 CPU threads, 43GB RAM and 32TB of storage with dedicated GPU capability. This system runs 24/7, so energy matters. Recommended: the Value build — most for your money — 1681€ purchase, ~42W idle, ~191€/year energy (≈574€ over 3 years). Intel Core i3 14100F: 8 threads covers the 8 needed with headroom. Motherboard Intel B760 (LGA 1700): matches the CPU socket and case size. RAM: 64GB DDR4 — meets the 43GB the workload requires. MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Low Profile OC 6GB: 6GB VRAM selected for your dedicated GPU need. Chose Intel Core i3 14100F over AMD Ryzen 3 4100: better overall fit for your priorities. Build DNA: performance 85, value 79, efficiency 67, expandability 66, silence 95, longevity 97 — overall 80/100. Heads-up: Total (1681€) exceeds your budget (900€) by 781€ (87%). Ranking already prefers in-budget variants — this one is shown for comparison; check the value variant or raise the budget. This build may struggle with the stated workload. What limits you first: CPU. Alternatives: Smart build — best all-round — 1819€, DNA 90/100, balanced · Long-term build — expandable & future-proof — 2106€, DNA 90/100, 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.
The build is tight on resources for the stated workload — it may struggle under load.
| Performance I need | Performance I buy | Likely to use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU threads | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| RAM | 43 | 64 | 34 |
| Storage | 32 | 40 | 32 |
| GPU VRAM | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| 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 (64/100) — 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: 1 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 68% 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.
A 6GB GPU is present — AI and transcoding workloads are covered.
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 172W (26%).
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: low1 PCIe, 1 M.2, 3 SATA, 1 bays free.
Fix: Healthy room for future drives, NICs and accelerators.
Upgrade risk
Risk: low2024 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 3 critical and 0 warning item(s) worth fixing before you buy.
Check the balance
CriticalTotal (1681€) exceeds your budget (900€) by 781€ (87%). 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
Check the balance
CriticalThis build may struggle with the stated workload.
Action: Reconsider the config for the stated workload or budget before buying.
Category: balance
CPU close to the limit
CriticalThe workload uses 100% of the CPU — little headroom for background tasks or growth.
Action: Consider a stronger CPU or drop a secondary workload.
Category: compute
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
Future1 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 68% — 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.
CPU is the next bottleneck
Why: The CPU runs at 100% of capacity — new services or more users will hit the wall first.
What to do: Consider a stronger CPU within the same socket generation while it is still cheap.
CPU is the closest to its limit (100% 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 36 W · balanced
≈ €1,819
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpu | Intel Core i5 14400F | 1 | €187 | … |
| motherboard | Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX DDR4 ATX | 1 | ≈ €139 | … |
| ram | Corsair Vengeance LPX Black DDR4-4000 CL18 64GB (2x32GB) | 1 | ≈ €137 | … |
| 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 | … |
| gpu | XFX Speedster SWFT 210 AMD Radeon™ RX 6650 XT Core Gaming Graphics Card with 8GB GDDR6, AMD RDNA™ 2 | 1 | ≈ €304 | … |
| Total: | ≈ €1,819 | |||
tower build on LGA 2066 + Intel X299 · Idle 63 W · balanced
≈ €2,106
| Role | Component | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cpu | Intel Core i7 7820X | 1 | ≈ €224 | … |
| motherboard | Gigabyte X299 AORUS Gaming 3 Pro LGA2066 DDR4 ATX | 1 | ≈ €203 | … |
| ram | Corsair Vengeance LPX Black DDR4-4000 CL18 64GB (2x32GB) | 1 | ≈ €137 | … |
| case | Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Black | 1 | €94 | … |
| cooling | Thermalright Le Grand Macho Air 159mm Fanless | 1 | ≈ €35 | … |
| psu | SeaSonic PRIME Fanless Black 700W Fully Modular 80+ Titanium Certified | 1 | €283 | … |
| storage | Rocket Q NVMe SSD | 1 | €122 | … |
| storage | Seagate Exos M 32TB 3.5" HDD 7200RPM SATA 6.0 Gb/s | 1 | ≈ €704 | … |
| gpu | MSI GeForce RTX 5060 8G GAMING V1 | 1 | ≈ €304 | … |
| Total: | ≈ €2,106 | |||
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