iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes—a mini PC can run Proxmox VE as a home server if its processor and firmware support virtualization and it has enough memory, storage, and networking for the services you plan to run. Proxmox VE installs directly on the machine, so the installation disk is erased; check the hardware and back up its data before you begin.
What Proxmox VE does on a mini PC
Proxmox VE is a bare-metal virtualization environment based on Debian. It uses KVM for virtual machines and supports Linux containers, with a browser-based interface for managing the host and its guests. It also includes backup and restore tools. Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH says its source code is licensed under GNU AGPLv3 and is free to download and use.
Installing it turns the mini PC into a dedicated host rather than a regular desktop with a virtualization app running on top. You can then create separate VMs or containers for services you want to run. The useful capacity of that host depends on the exact mini PC and the guests you choose; the official minimums are not a promise of a particular number of VMs or a recommended configuration for every home lab.
Check the mini PC before choosing it
Compare the specifications and firmware options of the exact model and configuration you intend to use. The relevant questions are not just processor speed or the number of ports, but whether the machine supports the capabilities your planned services need.
#1 Best Overall
- 【AMD Ryzen 4300U True 4-Core CPU: Outperforms N95 & i3-10110U】KAMRUI P2 Mini PC is equipped with true 4-core AMD Ryzen 4300U processor built on advanced 7nm Zen2 architecture，This means you get consistent, unthrottled performance for hours on end, whether you’re running multiple browser tabs, streaming 4K content, or managing virtual machines. Compare that to Intel N95 (4 efficiency cores that throttle under load) or Intel i3-10110U (only 2 cores total), and the difference is night and day: The KAMRUI P2 AMD Ryzen 4300U (28W) is 40% faster than the Intel i3-10110U and 25% faster than the Intel N95 in multi-core tasks, ensuring smooth, lag-free performance even during heavy workloads.
- 【Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics: 2.5X Stronger for Tri 4K】The KAMRUI P2 AMD 4300U Mini PC have unlocked the full potential of the built-in AMD Radeon Vega 5 graphics with 28W power delivery, making it 2.5 times stronger than the Intel UHD graphics found in the N95 and i3-10110U. This means you can enjoy Tri 4K@60Hz displays without a single stutter, perfect for productivity setups, home theaters, or even light photo/video editing and casual gaming. While the Intel N95/i3-10110U struggle to run a single 4K display without lag, The KAMRUI AMD 4300U Mini PC handles Tri 4K effortlessly, turning your workspace into a high-efficiency hub or your living room into a premium entertainment center.
- 【Large Storage Capacity, Easy Expansion】KAMRUI Pinova P2 mini computers is equipped with 16GB LPDDR4 for faster multitasking and smooth application switching. 512GB M.2 SSD ensures fast startup, fast file transfers and plenty of storage space,eliminating slow loading times and ensuring fast responsiveness. the two storage slots (1x M.2 2280 SATA/NVMe PCIe3.0 slot, 1x M.2 2280 SATA slot) can be combined to provide up to 4TB of total storage(Not included). This gives you enough space for all your projects, media and data.
- 【4K Triple Display】KAMRUI Pinova P2 4300U mini desktop computers is equipped with HDMI2.0 ×1 +DP1.4 ×1+USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C ×1 interfaces for faster transmission, Triple 4K@60Hz Display, KAMRUI P2 mini computer is ideal for visual home entertainment, home office, conference rooms, etc. USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A port ×2 with a transfer speed of up to 10 Gbps (21 times faster than USB 2.0) for efficient data transfer. Ideal for seamless multitasking between spreadsheets, browsers and presentations, or for an immersive entertainment experience.
- 【USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C 10Gbps, Versatile connectivity】KAMRUI P2 mini desktop pc fast and versatile connectivity! The USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C port offers a data transfer rate of 10Gbps and simultaneously supports DisplayPort 1.4 video output. The P2 AMD Ryzen 4300U Mini PC is complemented by Gigabit LAN, WiFi and Bluetooth, so nothing stands in the way of a productive working environment.
- CPU and firmware virtualization: For x86 KVM guests, confirm that the processor and motherboard platform support virtualization and that the relevant option is available in BIOS/UEFI. If you plan to pass a PCIe device through to a VM, check for Intel VT-d or AMD-Vi support as well.
- Memory: Find the supported memory ceiling and whether RAM can be upgraded. Plan for Proxmox itself as well as the memory assigned to every VM or container; the host’s installed RAM is shared capacity, not an amount available entirely to guests.
- Storage: Check which drive types, interfaces, and capacities the machine supports, and decide what will hold the Proxmox installation and guest data. Proxmox recommends fast storage and says SSDs produce the best results. Match any drive to the mini PC’s actual interface and available bay or slot.
- Network: Confirm the wired Ethernet arrangement suits your network. One NIC is listed in the evaluation minimum; extra or redundant ports depend on the network, storage, and cluster design. Multiple ports are not an automatic requirement for a single-node home server.
- Expansion and passthrough: If you expect a VM to use a physical PCIe device, confirm both platform support and a practical way to connect that device. Small systems differ in their expansion options.
- Workload: List the services you intend to run and their expected resource needs. A light container workload and several memory-intensive VMs are different demands, so generic Proxmox requirements cannot establish a universal capacity for a mini PC.
These checks are a compatibility framework, not a model ranking or a tested-build recommendation. Proxmox’s requirements do not certify particular mini PCs or establish their noise, power use, thermals, reliability, or workload limits.
Understand the official memory guidance
Proxmox’s current system-requirements documentation gives 1 GB of RAM plus additional memory for guests as an evaluation minimum. Its recommended section calls for at least 2 GB for the operating system and Proxmox services, plus memory designated for guests. These are vendor figures, not a guarantee that a chosen workload will run well with those amounts.
Rank #2
- 【Great power in a small computer】Get fast performance from the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U CPU (2.1GHz-3.7GHz, 4 Cores 8 Threads) inside this mini pc, TDP 15W up to 25W. It's perfect for all your home office and business use, like daily computing, web browsing, and smooth media streaming. This small desktop computer handles everyday tasks easily and quietly.
- 【Work on many things at once with lots of storage】This mini PC comes with 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 32GB), allowing you to smoothly run multiple programs, dozens of browser tabs, and large files all at once. It also features a spacious 512GB NVMe SSD that provides ample storage and delivers dramatically faster boot-ups, app launches, and file transfers compared to a traditional hard drive.
- 【See everything clearly on one or two 4K screens】Connect one or two monitors for more space to work or play. Dual HDMI ports on this mini pc support super sharp 4K Ultra HD video. It's great for doubling your work area for business or watching movies in high definition.
- 【Fast modern connections in a tiny box】Enjoy a better and more stable internet connection with the latest WiFi 6. Use Bluetooth 5.3 to connect wireless headphones, keyboards, and mice without wires. This small pc is very compact to save desk space and has extra USB ports (USB 2.0×2, USB 3.0×2, Type-c 2.0×1, Type-c 3.2 full featured×1, HDMI×2) for your printer, webcam, or other computer accessories.
- 【Reliable Warranty and Support】We provides 1 year warranty for each Mini computers. So you don't need to worry about any product problems. If you have any questions about the product, please contact our customer service, we will provide 24-hour professional technical support and serve you at any time.
The same documentation estimates about 1 GB of additional memory per TB of used storage for Ceph or ZFS. Treat that as storage-related overhead in the context of those configurations, not as a general-purpose RAM rule for every Proxmox host. ZFS and Ceph are also not compatible with a hardware RAID controller according to the requirements documentation, so check the storage-controller mode before choosing a filesystem or RAID arrangement.
Prepare for installation without losing data
Proxmox VE’s official installation flow uses a bare-metal installer. Proxmox warns that the complete server is used and that existing data on selected disks will be removed. Treat the disk-selection step as destructive: make a separate copy of anything you need before booting the installer, and verify which disk you intend to use.
Rank #3
- 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
- 【High-Capacity Dual M.2 SSD Storage Expansion】 Never worry about running out of space for your business files. In addition to the pre-installed 256GB system drive, the motherboard houses an extra empty internal M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot. This allows you to easily add a second solid-state drive for up to an additional 2TB of storage capacity (upgrades not included) without needing to remove or reinstall the original operating system.
- 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
- 【Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports for Advanced Networking】 Experience fast wired network transmission speeds up to 2500Mbps without lagging or buffering. The integration of dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (powered by Realtek RTL8125 controller) makes this compact computer an exceptional hardware choice for tech enthusiasts. Easily configure it into software routers, hardware firewalls (pfSense, OpnSense), home NAS servers, or local homelabs.
- Check the hardware. Confirm CPU and firmware virtualization support, RAM capacity, compatible storage, and the network ports needed for your intended services. Check Intel VT-d or AMD-Vi and the relevant firmware option only if you need PCI(e) passthrough.
- Back up affected disks. Copy files from any disk that could be selected during setup to storage that will not be erased by the installation.
- Get the Proxmox VE ISO. Download the installer from the official Proxmox website, then copy it to USB flash media or an optical disc.
- Boot the mini PC from the installation media. Use the mini PC maker’s manual for the model-specific way to select boot media or navigate BIOS/UEFI; key sequences vary, and the general Proxmox instructions do not specify them.
- Follow the installation wizard. Select the intended installation disk carefully. The installer removes existing data on selected disks.
- Manage the installed host in a browser. The official getting-started flow uses a web browser to configure and manage Proxmox VE; it does not require a separate management client.
- Add guests gradually. Create the first VM or container, observe how the host’s resources are used, and expand the workload based on the actual services you need.
Decide whether passthrough or extra networking is necessary
PCI(e) passthrough
Passing a physical PCI(e) device through to a guest is optional and more advanced than the basic installation. On x86, Proxmox requires IOMMU support—Intel VT-d or AMD-Vi—and BIOS/UEFI enablement is usually needed. Verify support on the particular CPU and platform before buying or configuring a machine around passthrough.
Additional network interfaces
A single NIC is listed for evaluation. A second interface may be useful for a particular separation, redundancy, or storage-networking design, but it is not a blanket prerequisite for a one-machine setup. Decide based on the network topology you intend to build rather than port count alone.
Rank #4
- Office Gaming Mini PC - UPGRADED GMKtec Nucbox M5 Ultra Series is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 8 Cores/16 Threads, Base 2.00GHz (Power Saving Quiet Mode) with Turbo Boost up to 4.50GHz (Performance Mode) in BIOS settings, Based on the ZEN 3+ architecture, this small but powerful mini pc delivers satisfying results in productivity, office work, and gaming. 35% Performance increase over AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/ Ryzen 7 5700U, 5600U, 5560U, 5500U.
- 16GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB PCIe SSD - Installed with DDR4 16GB RAM (1x16GB), the Nucbox M5 Ultra mini pc support expansion to 64GB RAM. Featured with 256GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD, support dual slot expansion to 4TB SSD. (Upgrades not included)
- DUAL NIC LAN 2.5G RJ45 - Fast Network Speeds: Enjoy up to 2500Mbps data transmission speed without worrying about lagging. Ideal for working, gaming, and surfing the internet. Great for Untangle, Pfsense or as a server office PC.
- Mini Desktop Computer with 4K Triple Screen Display - Nucbox M5 Ultra integrates AMD Radeon Graphics 8 Cores 2000 MHz GPU to deliver powerful graphics processing power to easily handle the demands of complex design software, 4K@60Hz UHD video editing, and playback. It can connect to 3 display screens simultaneously.
- Fast Internet WiFi 6E + BT5.2 Connection - GMKtec Mini PC with WiFi-6E Wireless, have 2.5G/5G/6G triple band, more faster and lower latency. Bluetooth 5.2 allowing you more quickly to connect other wireless devices (headset, mouse, keyboard, etc.) Interface features 2*USB3.2 ports, 2*USB2.0 ports, 1*HDMI 2.0 port(4K@60Hz), 1*USB-C port(PD/DP/DATA), 1*DP Port, 1*Audio 3.5mm (HP&MIC), 1*DC Power Port.
Set realistic expectations for a home-server build
Proxmox provides the virtualization platform and management tools; it does not make every mini PC equally capable. The official requirements do not establish a universal SSD capacity, a fixed number of supported VMs, or a recommended amount of RAM for all home-server uses. Those depend on the exact hardware, storage configuration, and guests.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchStart with the services you actually plan to host, verify that the chosen system supports the required virtualization features, and leave resources for the Proxmox host as well as its guests. Add workloads incrementally and use observed resource consumption to guide expansion. No particular mini PC model or workload has been tested for this guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- WHY CHOOSE G3 ULTRA MINI PC PENTIUM GOLD 7505 - Choose the Intel Pentium Gold 7505 for snappier everyday responsiveness: It delivers up to 30% faster single-core performance than the Ryzen 5 3500U, making office apps and web browsing feel noticeably quicker, while its Intel UHD Graphics (48 EUs) provides 2.4x the GPU performance of the N100 & N150's 24-EU graphics, ensuring smoother 4K streaming and light photo editing.
- 16GB RAM MEMORY & 512GB STORAGE - GMKtec Nucbox G3 Ultra mini computer is prebuilt with 16GB LPDDR4 RAM at 3200 MT/s, you will enjoy a speedier experience with Built-in 512GB M.2 SATA Hard Drive. Our mini desktop pc boots up in seconds, work on multiple browser tabs, software applications and quickly transfers files. There is a primary slot and secondary expansion storage. Primary slot is M.2 2280 PCIE and secondary slot is M.2 2280 SATA.
- RICH INTERFACE - Nucbox pentium mini computer is equipped with 3* USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, up to 10Gbps/S, 1*USB 2.0, HDMI(4K@60Hz)*2, 3.5mm Audio Jack. Supports WiFi 6, and Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 2.5GbE network connectivity, Bluetooth 5.2. This Mini PC supports multiple device connection and can be used with servers, monitoring equipment, office equipment, displays, projectors, televisions, etc.
- 4K DUAL SCREEN DISPLAY - Mini desktop computer is equipped with upgraded Intel Graphics(max 1000MHz), supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding, connect the pc with a projector as a home theatre, enjoy a variety of entertainments. Two HDMI 2.0 ports allows you to multi-task efficiently on two 4K@60Hz displays.
- UPGRADED COOLING FAN - The G3 Ultra has upgraded the cooling fan to reduce fan noise and thermals. We are using an upgraded thermal paste as well to help reduce heat on the CPU.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
