If anyone is looking at getting a Bitcoin node setup, I would suggest looking at refurbished Dell Optiplex Micro computers. They sell for really cheap now that windows 10 is done and most don't support windows 11. 🤮
You can get them with 8GB RAM and a 250GB SSD for around $200 (CAD) (7050). Throw in a 2 TB NVMe (M.2) drive in it and you're ready to install node software that wants two drives like
@mynodebtc or
@Umbrel ☂️.
You can install
@Start9 as well, but I believe it only supports one drive (dont see an option for a second in my test rig) so everything would go on on the 2 TB drive.
I like the first two options because the OS goes on the smaller drive and all the data (wallet, timechain and lightning channels) goes on the 2 TB drive. If the OS drive blows up, you just reflash the OS drive and continue on (after a small catch-up sync of the timechain).
I prefer the Micro version of the Optiplex, since it barely takes up any space, but there are SFF and desktop size versions as well.
Far superior to running a Pi and about the same price.
