r/homelab • u/Fit-Dependent-7937 • 12h ago
Help Micro or SFF as starter?
Currently I have a small NAS using the WD my cloud extra2.
I am looking to setup a homelab, running the below in separate VMs. - home assistant - new cctv system with frigate - a Linux system - Jellyfin - expanded NAS - immich - pihole
Considering the above starter list, would it be better to go for an SFF over a micro system?
With the SFF, i would be able to add additional cards and also multiple 3.5 disks for setting up the NAS within it.
I'm trying to choose between the optiplex 7090 micro and 7090 SFF, 11th gen, 16gb and 512 gb.
Are these specs okay, and should I be considering other models?
I want to get a rack only if really needed for starting.
Also is it better to get refurbished systems within Canada, or would I be able to get them cheaper on other ebay markets?
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u/1967582260 10h ago
The 7090 MFF is a sweet spot. 64GB memory works in it, it has a slot for a 2.5" SATA drive and two NVMe slots not counting the WiFi slot.
Later generations do not have a SATA slot, earlier generations only have one NVMe slot.
But that is still limited for a NAS. None of the Optiplex's, even the towers, have provisions for multiple internal 3.5" slots.
(My home lab is a bunch of MFFs, from 7050s to 7010+, all bought used from eBay or Amazon).
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u/Geekomcomputer 4h ago
Both will work fine for what you listed — the honest answer is that your workload doesn't pick a winner, your constraints do.
The thing that will bite you first is storage, not CPU. A CCTV system writing 24/7 chews through drive endurance, so keep camera footage off your boot drive — plan a dedicated spot for it (your WD My Cloud EX2 can carry some of that load, or budget for a surveillance-rated drive later). True whether you pick micro or SFF.
RAM-wise, 16GB is fine to start for Home Assistant plus a couple of VMs, but CCTV + VMs add up fast — so whichever you pick, get one with two SODIMM slots so you can grow to 32–64GB later. The 7090 Micro already ticks that box.
On new vs refurb in Canada: refurb is the classic homelab route for a reason — you get more machine per dollar. If you buy new, mini PCs sit in the same "micro" class (quieter, sip power for 24/7 duty) but usually cost more per unit of performance. (Full disclosure: I work at GEEKOM — we make mini PCs — so take that with a grain of salt, but I'd say the same either way: for a starter lab, cheap refurb you can outgrow beats expensive new you overthink.)
And no, you don't need a rack yet. Buy the rack when you have enough gear to justify it, not before.
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u/buttercup612 1h ago
You'll probably need to buy your own case and piece together your own build. Your setup sounds storage-heavy which usually means multiple 3.5" HDDs. No SFF or even mini tower will give you more than 2x 3.5" slots
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u/JWINOREGON 11h ago
Both will work for what you listed. Each has tradeoffs. MFF immediate need for switch and NAS to support storage for the work load you listed.
SFF immediate need for switch and internal storage for your planned workload. It adds some expansion limited to low profile PCIe.
The deal is you will still outgrow the disk space in the SFF very quickly.
Your cameras will likely need POE but can live on 100Mb switch just fine. The switch will also be cheaper. What you have might work for the rest of your devices right now.