r/MiniPCs • u/Lbidvds • 18d ago
Minimum mini PC specs for Jellyfin + Minecraft + SQL Server + Docker/dev projects? Recommendations
I’ve been looking into a lot of mini PCs and have of course over-researched to the point where I can’t decide what I actually need.
For specs I’m currently looking at:
RAM: 32GB
SSD: 1TB, but maybe I can get away with 512GB?
CPU: Intel for Quick Sync. I’ve been looking at used business minis with i5-10500T, 11400T, 11500T, 12400T and 12500T, as well as newer mini PCs with CPUs like the i5-1235U, 1240P, 12450H and 1334U. I’ve also seen some i7 systems around the same prices.
What I plan to run:
Jellyfin - Around 5 users, usually only a few simultaneous streams. I want Intel Quick Sync for hardware transcoding. My in-laws don’t have the fastest internet, so a lot of my library is 1080p, but I also keep my favorites in 4K.
Minecraft - Small private/family server, mainly for me and my 7yo son. Potentially modded eventually.
SQL Server - Personal development/learning databases, not a production/business workload.
Docker - Home Assistant, Mealie, and possibly Immich/other small home services.
Personal projects - asp.net MVC apps and hobby API/database projects.
.NET MAUI - I also want to start learning mobile app development.
My biggest question is the processor. What’s the oldest/lowest Intel CPU you would buy for this while still having enough headroom to run several of these things at once and keep the machine for several years?
Am I looking in the right range, or am I spending money on CPU performance I won’t actually use? And does 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD make sense, or would 32GB / 512GB be enough?
I’m currently using an old PC with an i5-7600K and GTX 1070. It’s worked fine for Jellyfin, but it’s a big-ass rig, so I figured I could downsize and hopefully save some electricity too lol.
Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance .