So after months of dealing with problems trying to get the stuff I want to host working on my Raspberry Pi and Synology, I've given up and decided I need a real server with an x86_64 processor and a standard Linux distro. So I don't continue to run into problems after spending a bunch more, I want to seriously consider what I need hardware-wise. What considerations do I need to think about in this?
Initially, the main things I want to host are Nextcloud, Immich (or similar), and my own Node bot @DailyGameBot@lemmy.zip (which uses Puppeteer to take screenshots—the big issue that prevents it from running on a Pi or Synology). I'll definitely want to expand to more things eventually, though I don't know what. Probably all/most in Docker.
For now I'm likely to keep using Synology's reverse proxy and built-in Let's Encrypt certificate support, unless there are good reasons to avoid that. And as much as it's possible, I'll want the actual files (used by Nextcloud, Immich, etc.) to be stored on the Synology to take advantage of its large capacity and RAID 5 redundancy.
Is a second-hand Intel-based mini PC likely suitable? I read one thing saying that they can have serious thermal throttling issues because they don't have great airflow. Is that a problem that matters for a home server, or is it more of an issue with desktops where people try to run games? Is there a particular reason to look at Intel vs AMD? Any particular things I should consider when looking at RAM, CPU power, or internal storage, etc. which might not be immediately obvious?
Bonus question: what's a good distro to use? My experience so far has mostly been with desktop distros, primarily Kubuntu/Ubuntu, or with niche distros like Raspbian. But all Debian-based. Any reason to consider something else?
I've no comments on RISC-V, but I agree that a move towards ARM in the Windows & Linux worlds would seem sensible. I would guess it hasn't happened for the same reason IPv6 hasn't taken over. Too much momentum. Too many developers still working in an x86 world, too many legacy apps that won't easily run on ARM, too many hardware manufacturers each making the individual choice to keep making the current-popular option. Apple could transition because they're the single gatekeeper. They make the decision, and everybody else who wants to use a Mac has to follow along. I'm going to guess that the control they have over the hardware and the software also means Rosetta 2 works a hell of a lot better than Microsoft's Prism. (I can't say for sure, having never used an ARM-based Windows machine or an ARM-based Mac.)
In terms of heat, what kind of room do you have it in? Somewhere with good natural airflow, or away in a closet somewhere?
Just on floor in garage upside down so the laptop air vents face up, nothing special at all but main thing not in my office heating up the joint 🥲