DUMP YOUR RASPI NODES. Get a used mini PC or used laptop for cheap!
More powerful, only $45-75 on eBay (plus ~$65 2TB ssd, but you'd need that anyway for your Raspi node).
This HP EliteDesk 705 G4 is **overkill** for a node. 5 yrs old. Costs $75*.
Fan noise? Meh. Power draw? CPU's max draw is 35W.
https://m.primal.net/HLsC.mp4
Once it's done syncing, the video can't even pick up the fan running at idling speeds:
https://m.primal.net/HLsE.mp4
Cost to run:
15W * 24hrs / 1000W/kW * 12¢/kWh * 30 days = $1.30/mo
This cpu is 8.5x more powerful than a Raspi4.
A more pleb-friendly option is a used laptop. Has everything you need built-in (esp the BATTERY!!! Huge advantage vs Raspi). This HP ProBook 450 G3 is running an 8yr old i5-6200U (3.5x more powerful than a Raspi4). Also super-quiet and low power (15W max cpu draw).
https://m.primal.net/HLsF.mp4
Yep I’m using an HP mini desktop for my node. I keep the pis for fun projects using the GPIO pins. I think if people are serious about their money they should use more robust hardware.
First time that I'm thinking to switch from my perfectly fine working RPI4 8GB. For 4 years I had no problems, but maybe for a RAID 1 solution it is worth to switch. I need to do some research...
100% this. Screw a raspi node.
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👏 yes. I got a dell micro tower and it’s great!
I have one mini PC that I use as a Karaoke and Dance Dance Revolution machine. I might convert it as a node, maybe I could even run the games from time to time without slowing down the node in the background, double use case.
What is the best way to run a node on a standard PC like this? All manual install on CLI? Run everything in Docker containers? Use a dedicated OS?
Also is it possible to restore an Umbrel node with all apps and channel on the new machine or I must start from scrach with new channels and all?
@Start9's StartOS. Just download the iso and put it on a USB drive, then boot from that and install.
Yes I know this one, but then I will probably not be able to run my 2 games on the same machine. I might need a second mini PC.
Agreed.
The one selling point for raspi-nodes is that the software is a nicely contained package for noobs.
While there are packages like nix, raspi-blitz, citadel out there to be put on bare-metal/laptops.
It is def. not as straight forward in my opinion.
Unpopular opinion. Pis are fine, updates are easier for normies due to OS on sd card, they use less energy.
Looking forward to the pi5 in 2024
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My Pi still works and if the hardware ever goes it’s a pretty easy swap-put. And the form factor is great. I may upgrade at some point, but I’m not in a huge hurry to spend the money.
https://i.nostr.build/nb4803.jpeg
Waiting forever for my PSU cables to come in, considering SSD options until then.
Thinking of going 4-8TB to make it an all in one cloud solution.
On @primal the videos are all rendered as audio only. Weird, never seen this before.
I'll ride my raspi node until it dies, so help me god!
I agree Raspi nodes are very unstable
Don't overlook the important fact that used Laptops come with a battery backup built in! If the power ever goes out the node doesn't have to reboot like it would on a RasPi.
Yes. Went to a OptiPlex (16GB) and it's been great! UPS for power backup.
Load Start9 OS onto that bad boy and go to lvl 100 bitcoin operator in a few clicks 🤙
Great, now I have another weekend project 😌
Upgrade your Bitcoin node from a Pi to a PC. Then reuse the pi by attaching a screen and running Nodeyez.com pointed at your new Bitcoin node to produce visualizations sovereignly
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Never thought of laptops as nodes with a built-in UPS before. Huh.
Raspis are not what they used to be. It’s now overpriced and just not worth it.
I also bought used Mini PC (It is cheap and much more powerful than RP) plus UPS... Recommend that configuration
And i instal @Start9
Been looking to upgrade from a raspi for a while. What ssd are you using?
Depending on form factor (m.2 nvme vs sata ssd), I've been going with these 2TB drives.
* cache good.
* SLC cache okay.
* DRAM cache best.
* QLC storage bad.
* TLC storage okay.
* SLC/MLC storage good but rare.
Also have to check m.2 key (the notch) compatibility 😤
https://i.nostr.build/WwXe.jpg
https://i.nostr.build/QMX7.jpg
Am a big fan of the Dell Optiplex Minis and Intel NUCs. Why not remove the laptops internal drive and replace it with the SSD?
My laptop node and mini PC node are both running a fast nvme as the system drive and a 2TB data ssd.
Ce que j'ai au niveau portable SSD sinon au niveau téléphone tous sous Android et je ne sais pas si ça compte les 5 ou 6 G en plus de la fibre nouvelle génération !?
my whole laptop cost 175usd. lol which i used for everything
In germany it would cost 5-6$ per month.
15W @ 30¢/kWh = $3.24/mo.
a used pc/laptop seems to be a bad option for a bitcoin node from a security standpoint ihmo
You're going to format any existing drives or, more likely, replace with your own. After that, any attacks would have to be pretty elaborate.
Another option is to buy new but last or even older gen mini pcs like NUC or something AMD based without memory and disks. That makes them quite cheap and you can buy whatever memory and disks you want.
@openoms is preaching this for long time ! 😅
100%. I still keep my Raspberry running and routing next to my main node on Linux old laptop, just because I am too mad to even touch it for having fooled me into the Raspberry scam.
Rasberry is nice for 0 installation effort, but then it can hardly move. And costs inadequately.
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Does having poor or varying internet speed matter for running a node?
What software do you run? Bitcoin core?
I bought a NUC to run my node.
Turns out it runs really well so now I'm using it as a bedroom computer to get some writing work done.
I'd get another Nuc but that might also ended up behind a tv connected to my NAS. 🤣
But yeah, these things are way more powerful than a raspberry pi.
How about we just say, UPGRADE instead of DUMP?
The Pi does the job. Totally agree though that other options are more desirable in many instances.
Running an old Lenovo thinkcentre.
You’ve inspired me to start thinking about this. 🤙🏻
As I go down this rabbit hole, I have more questions. Which Ubuntu software do I need to install to run Umbrel? Is it the desktop or the server? Also any spec requirements I need to be aware of? Meeting with my outside computer guys soon and hoping I might score a mini computer for free. But need to know what I need to ask for. 🤙🏻
I haven't done Umbrel tests yet, but my guess is the non-desktop Ubuntu is fine because Umbrel's UI is all web based anyway.
Once you have the hardware, it's easy to experiment with different ubuntu installers on a USB stick.
best thing to use on a usb stick is ventoy.net. then you can just have many images on a single usb. a distro hopper's dream
Yes I watched a video on setting up a usb to boot from and install. I was thinking the same thing that it would be the server version of the Ubuntu and then install Umbrel. Will consult Umbrel Group before I finish. This is a winter project but gathering stuff.
I love my little mac mini node. just chilling on top of my studio. Absolutely silent and barely any power draw.
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https://i.nostr.build/KdPX.jpg
when I buy a new laptop
I will make my 9yr old laptop to a #bitcoin node
#node
#plebs
Oh what a dream 12ct/kWh, hear in Germany I have 35ct/kWh
RAID is Best and safest way
I already use old HP as a node. Raspi is not designed for this
Cant find those prices where I am from....🙈
What do you think of the new Pi5, which will be released later this month?
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