If you plan to also run Lightning node, I would not go with anything where you can't connect two physical storage devices that can be mirrored. Looking at Wikipedia, 12th generation Alder Lake NUCs have two internal M.2 slots. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Unit_of_Computing#Twelfth_generation
macOS: The Mac Mini M1 from 2020 is incredibly powerful and small, plus you never hear the fans even at 100% usage. Apple Silicon is a game changer. It's UNIX in the end so you can compile anything for it. You don't need an Apple account to use it.
Windows: If you like Windows, then there's a cool little new ARM device called Project Volterra, it's basically a MS version of the Mac Mini. Haven't used it but seems nice.
Linux: Intel NUCs are fantastic for running these kinds of things, ideally with Linux. In particular the Phantom Canyon is a great deal as it has a relatively powerful discrete NVidia card, it's silent, and looks great:
I have a NUC 5 which is a good start, affordable second hand, two slots for SSDs which is great to run separate distros or nodes but the RAM is limited to 16 GB and it has only two cores. I am now eying a NUC 12 which has ten cores and can be upgraded to 64 GB which I find more comfortable to allocate resources when setting up VMs in Proxmox
I think Intel NUC is a fair plan, but it may be almost overkill for bitcoin node. Beelink produces decent "Intel NUCs" (they actually have a bunch with AMD too). Check it for the specific model, but SSD and RAM are replaceable.
If you plan to also run Lightning node, I would not go with anything where you can't connect two physical storage devices that can be mirrored. Looking at Wikipedia, 12th generation Alder Lake NUCs have two internal M.2 slots. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Unit_of_Computing#Twelfth_generation
For my node at home I personally run Odroid HC4 ARM-based device with two SATA SSD drives. https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-hc4/
2012 mac mini
Cheap, easy to upgrade, high quality.
Great suggestion. Looks I can upgrade it with 16GB RAM and up to 8TB SSD.
100%
I came here to suggest this. Cheap on ebay. solid built. Old ones can be upgraded. Plenty of horsepower for a node.
Can you install any Linux with just using an ISO on an SD card?
I'd check compatibility issues for whatever linux distro first. Expect missing drivers, etc.
I'd recommend dell latitude if you don't want to use a mac computer. Also affordable, easy to upgrade, and a bonus UPS.
Thanks, that's why I was leaning towards Intel.
https://proprivacy.com/privacy-news/intel-management-engine
Yeah for Intel-based.
Id stay away from the new Apple Silicon ones, at least for another 5 years
^^ Good choice. Can attest.
A few options:
https://i.imgur.com/VuO1ASQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9SI2pgX.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/78tjTpH.jpg
Have you run a node on any of these?
Yes, the mac mini M1, it syncs with the blockchain overnight. It's a great little machine.
Never heard of Project Volterra +1
What software are you going to run on it? Do you have problem with fan noise?
Cheap new: https://store.minisforum.com/
Cheap old: ebay
Buy an used server with ECC Ram, can get those with a reasonably modern CPU and 16gb ecc ram for ~$200
old servers or servers in general have significant power drain + are generally loud as they are designed to sit in datacenters
a good compromise might be some of the workstation models, they run quieter but still use a lot of power
as suggested by others look at alternatives to nuc that you could get cheaper, possibly with two ssds.
Not a horrible option is also refurbished laptop, you can usually get tons of thinkpads that businesses cycle out, gives you silent run&built in ups
ECC RAM is important
Something on Alibaba
I just ordered this, been eyeballing it for a while.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQc0DIV
System76 Mini preloaded with Linux https://system76.com/desktops/meerkat
I have a NUC 5 which is a good start, affordable second hand, two slots for SSDs which is great to run separate distros or nodes but the RAM is limited to 16 GB and it has only two cores. I am now eying a NUC 12 which has ten cores and can be upgraded to 64 GB which I find more comfortable to allocate resources when setting up VMs in Proxmox
I use an Intel NUC N3700. I chose it for its low power consumption - TDP 6W.
It feels a bit slow, but it's more than fast enough for just a node.
I guess I need to look up NUC
An old Thinkcentre M series (think that's what they're called) off ebay. The small form factor PCs.
I think Intel NUC is a fair plan, but it may be almost overkill for bitcoin node.
Beelink produces decent "Intel NUCs" (they actually have a bunch with AMD too). Check it for the specific model, but SSD and RAM are replaceable.