Choosing Your Requirements

The hardware that you need for your server depends on what you're hoping to use it for.  When you're running one or two services, a Raspberry Pi would probably suffice, while running your own personal cloud and media services might require a refurbished desktop computer.  Single-board computers and traditional desktops have slightly different install processes.  Media servers can require more processing power, such as a dedicated graphics card, as well as storage space for any digital media.