Refurb PC for small home server

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gzjdoe

37 posts

Geek

#315671 4-Aug-2024 23:14

I'm starting a new home server and I'm keen to save some money and get a refurb PC instead of building a new one.

Does anyone know what retailers (PBTech is where I am planning to go) do when reselling a PC? Do they only perform basic hardware checks on the computer or do they at least replace the SSD?

jrdobbs

106 posts

Master Geek

#3268224 4-Aug-2024 23:40

Maybe someone from PBTech could answer if they see this but I'm guessing it would be a basic workshop service before selling.

The used PC's I have purchased have come from TradeMe. I tend to go for corporate desktops such as from HP, Dell etc... Never had issues with any of them.

I tend to use this site to spec any possible purchases,

https://www.hardware-corner.net/desktop-models/

You can see basic specs of machines listed in their database plus any upgrade paths.

linw

2849 posts

Uber Geek

#3268229 5-Aug-2024 06:03

I only buy refurbs and have been very pleased with them. I am writing this from one of them!

You might look at other companies like NZLW and NZ PC Clearance. I have bought from both and been very pleased at prices and service.

With regard to what they do pre sale, ask them. There is no one answer we can give you.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#3268231 5-Aug-2024 07:19

I tend to use whatever spare parts I have access to :D Current home "server" is made up of a few old desktops I had access to. Runs flawlessly :) i5 6500 1GB RAM 2x 4TB HDD 1x 500GB SSD.

That runs Windows 10, as a file server, Plex and seedbox. Backs run each night to an old NAS which is occasionally backed up to an external drive.

Keep in mind to have some form of backup, or else if you're keeping personal files on the "server", you'll lose them should the drives fail etc or its stolen/fire.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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jrdobbs

106 posts

Master Geek

#3268267 5-Aug-2024 09:33

xpd:

That runs Windows 10, as a file server, Plex and seedbox. Backs run each night to an old NAS which is occasionally backed up to an external drive.

Have you ever looked at openmediavault for you requirements?

xpd

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#3268274 5-Aug-2024 10:12

jrdobbs:

xpd:

That runs Windows 10, as a file server, Plex and seedbox. Backs run each night to an old NAS which is occasionally backed up to an external drive.

Have you ever looked at openmediavault for you requirements?

Could do, I started out on Windows and just stuck with it for the server. Will take another look tho :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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charveynz

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#3300339 23-Oct-2024 10:37

gzjdoe:

I'm starting a new home server and I'm keen to save some money and get a refurb PC instead of building a new one.

Does anyone know what retailers (PBTech is where I am planning to go) do when reselling a PC? Do they only perform basic hardware checks on the computer or do they at least replace the SSD?

Not to blow my own horn, but i work at NZLW (NZ Laptop Wholesale).

Re the question of what we do when reselling PCs and Laptops.

In short:
we test that they are in complete working order.

In long:
We work with lease companies and larger businesses and take back ex-lease units. these are generally 2 - 3 years old business grade machines (very different from consumer units), so heaps of life left in them.
If there are any issues with the hardware, it is in our own interest to identify these for the decommissioning report we submit the lease company because then the original leaser get charged for the fault, otherwise we have to warrant the unit down the track.
Based on this, you can be assured the units we sell, we have full confidence in.

Here is a post about our process and how we have automated as much as posable, to eliminate human error.
https://nzlw.co.nz/2024/10/11/why-you-can-trust-our-process-how-we-handle-ex-lease-computers/

i realize this is kinda salesy, but it is a direct answer to a direct question... and my company was mentioned.
Im not trying to break any rules here

KiwiSurfer

1449 posts

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#3300452 23-Oct-2024 11:38

I've had several refurb machines from PC Traders which has worked well for me. No faults etc.

AS charveynz the ex-business machines are often very good machines that have plenty of life left.

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

cddt

1551 posts

Uber Geek

#3300483 23-Oct-2024 13:14

Don't forget that power usage is a factor to consider when you are trying to keep your costs low.

Generally the older the PC is the worse the idle power draw. And the larger the motherboard, the worse the baseline power draw too.

My referral links: BigPipe | Mercury

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#3301185 24-Oct-2024 18:35

I'm using an older refurb i5 as a server, and it's working well for the tasks I use it for.

What are you planning to use your server for, as that will have a major bearing on what sort of kit would be appropriate?

nzkc

1571 posts

Uber Geek

#3301205 24-Oct-2024 20:33

I wouldnt get too concerned about requirements for a server Any vaguely modern hardware is generally more than up to the task. OK a Raspbery PI is gonna struggle but any mainstream CPU is very likely fine. As an example; here's the CPU chart for the last 7 days on my Plex server (that does WAY more than just streaming):

And those little peaks are not from plex. They're likely from patching. I run Plex in docker on an Ubuntu server. Its got a Ryzen 5600 in it - way more than is needed for Plex. Until very recently it had a Ryzen 1600 in it and the graph would have looked the same! The reason I upgraded had nothing to do with Plex.

The big CPU drag comes from transcoding but I've noticed that less and less is that needed. Most devices seem to support most codecs just fine these days.