If you are looking to deploy a Jellyfin server on Proxmox, the first hurdle is the hardware. In 2026, the market is split into two camps: the “New and Efficient” Intel N100 Mini PCs and the “Old and Powerful” used enterprise workstations like the Dell Optiplex or HP EliteDesk. As an analyst, I look at this through the lens of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Is a $150 used server actually a bargain if it adds $10 a month to your power bill?
1. The N100: The Efficiency Darling
The Intel N100 has become the “Gold Standard” for entry-level home labs. With a TDP of just 6W, these machines can run 24/7 for the cost of a few cups of coffee per year. For a Proxmox environment, the N100 offers four “Efficiency Cores” that handle lightweight LXC containers (DNS, Home Assistant, Pi-hole) with ease. Crucially, the Intel QuickSync engine on the N100 is surprisingly capable, handling multiple 4K transcodes without breaking a sweat.
2. Used Enterprise Gear: The PCIe Powerhouse
Where the N100 falls short is Expandability. Used enterprise gear (8th or 9th gen Intel i5/i7) usually comes with multiple PCIe slots, four DIMM slots for RAM, and room for several SATA drives. If your goal is to build a massive ZFS storage pool or use high-speed 10GbE networking, the N100’s single-channel memory and limited PCIe lanes will become an immediate bottleneck. On the used market, platforms like eBay are currently flooded with off-lease 1-liter “Tiny-Mini-Micro” PCs that offer a middle ground: better build quality and slightly higher power draw (35W-65W).
3. The TCO Calculation (3-Year Outlook)
Niche enthusiasts often ignore the “Silent Tax” of older hardware. An older enterprise server idling at 40W compared to an N100 idling at 5W results in a massive delta over three years. Depending on your local energy rates in 2026, the N100 could pay for itself in electricity savings alone within 18 months. However, if you need more than 16GB of RAM—the soft limit for stable N100 performance—the used enterprise workstation is the only financially sound path.
2026 Home Lab Hardware Face-Off
| Metric | Intel N100 Mini PC | Used Enterprise (i5-9500) |
|---|---|---|
| Idle Power Draw | 4W – 7W | 25W – 45W |
| Max RAM Support | 16GB (Official) / 32GB (Unofficial) | 64GB+ |
| PCIe Lanes | Very Limited (9 lanes) | 16+ lanes |
| QuickSync (Transcoding) | Excellent (AV1 Support) | Good (No AV1) |
People Also Ask (PAA)
Is the Intel N100 powerful enough for Proxmox?
Yes, for light to medium workloads. It excels at running Linux Containers (LXC), but may struggle if you try to run multiple heavy Windows Virtual Machines simultaneously due to its 4-core, 4-thread architecture.
Where is the best place to buy used enterprise servers in 2026?
Local e-waste recyclers, university surplus sales, and eBay remain the best sources. Look specifically for “Tiny-Mini-Micro” listings if you want a balance of power and efficiency.