Guide
Best mini-PC for Proxmox
Proxmox rewards core count, RAM ceiling, and storage layout (dual NVMe) more than flashy GPUs. Start with upgradeable SODIMM, at least one 2.5GbE NIC, and a clear path to backups. Socketed AM5 boxes help if you expect multi-year CPU refreshes; HS-series Ryzen minis win on density.
Recommended hardware
- Minisforum MS-A1 — AMD AM5 mini workstation-style box popular in expandable Proxmox and TrueNAS Scale builds.
- Minisforum UM790 Pro — Ryzen 9 barebone mini-PC with OCulink option for GPU passthrough experiments and dense VMs.
- Beelink SER8 — Newer Ryzen 7 mini-PC aimed at heavier VM stacks and iGPU media duties in a dense chassis.
- GMKtec NucBox M7 Pro — Ryzen 9 class GMKtec box aimed at dense Proxmox stacks and iGPU transcode without a full tower.
- Beelink SER5 — Compact AMD Ryzen mini-PC often used for Proxmox and Home Assistant with upgradeable SODIMM.
- Minisforum NAB6 — Intel i5-12450H / i7-12650H class mini-PC with dual LAN options for mixed HA and light hypervisor duty.
FAQ
How much RAM for a first Proxmox node?
32 GB is a realistic start for a few VMs; 64 GB+ if you plan nested labs, databases, or many LXC containers.
Do I need ECC on a mini-PC?
Nice-to-have, rare on consumer minis. Prioritize ECC when you move storage duties to a real NAS/server; for a lab hypervisor, backups matter more.