Proxmox Hardware Requirements: Server, Storage & On-Premise Infrastructure
- server-parts.eu server-parts.eu
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Proxmox Virtual Environment (VE) is a powerful, open-source virtualization platform built on Debian Linux. It combines KVM for virtual machines and LXC for containers, all managed through a user-friendly web interface. Because it's open-source and free to use, it offers a compelling alternative to commercial virtualization platforms.
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However, it still requires solid hardware infrastructure to operate effectively. This makes it a perfect fit for companies selling high-quality refurbished servers and storage solutions.
Proxmox Hardware Requirements: What Proxmox Needs to Run
🧠 CPU
🛠️ 64-bit Intel or AMD processor
⚙️ Virtualization support required (Intel VT-x / AMD-V)
🔧 For PCI(e) passthrough: VT-d / AMD-Vi support is needed
💾 Memory
🔹 Minimum: 2 GB RAM
🔸 Recommended: 16 GB or more for production
🧮 Storage-focused setups: 1 GB RAM per TB of used storage (ZFS, Ceph)
📦 Storage
💽 OS disk: SSDs with ZFS or RAID with BBU
📁 VM disk: Enterprise SSDs, NVMe, or HDD depending on the workload
🚫 ZFS and Ceph are not compatible with hardware RAID, requiring careful configuration
⚠️ Avoid consumer SSDs – use enterprise drives with power-loss protection
🌐 Networking
🧷 Minimum: 1x 1 GbE NIC
🚀 Recommended: Redundant 1 GbE or 10/25 GbE for Ceph or migration
Proxmox Hardware Requirements: Why Refurbished Hardware is a Perfect Match for Proxmox
Many companies choose Proxmox because of its affordability and performance. The same logic applies to hardware. Refurbished servers offer:
💰 Lower costs compared to new systems
📦 Immediate availability without long distribution lead times
✅ Proven compatibility with Intel VT-x, AMD-V, ECC RAM, enterprise NICs
🔄 Modular upgrades for memory, drives, or networking
This is especially useful for MSPs, system integrators, and IT consultants who need to roll out Proxmox quickly for clients. Educational institutions, labs, and startups also benefit from the price-performance ratio.
Proxmox Hardware Requirements: Why Proxmox Users Choose Refurbished Hardware
Whether you're running Proxmox in your own organization or offering it as a solution to clients, refurbished hardware offers major advantages:
👨💻 For Proxmox Users:
💸 Cost savings: Build reliable, high-performance environments at a fraction of the cost of new hardware
📈 Scalability: Add RAM, storage, or compute as needed without breaking the budget
🧩 Flexibility: Choose from enterprise SSDs, SAS/NVMe drives, and 10/25 GbE networking
🤝 For Solution Providers (MSPs, System Integrators, Consultants):
⏱️ Faster deployment: Ready-to-ship servers and storage reduce project timelines
🎯 Client satisfaction: Offer high-quality infrastructure at a better price point
🔁 Ongoing business: Provide future upgrades like extra RAM, drives, or new nodes
🇪🇺 Logistics advantage: EU-based suppliers mean no customs delays, easier warranty handling, and faster delivery
🖥️ Common use cases include:
🧱 ZFS storage nodes: Enterprise SSDs or mirrored HDDs with non-RAID setups
🧠 Ceph clusters: 10/25 GbE networking, lots of memory, mixed SSD/HDD configs
⚡ NVMe-powered VM hosts: U.2 or PCIe slots for high I/O workloads
Proxmox Hardware Requirements: Example Refurbished Hardware Configurations
🔧 General-Purpose VM Host
CPU: Intel Xeon Silver 4310 (2x)
Memory: 256 GB DDR4 ECC
Storage: 4x 960 GB SSD (RAID 10 or ZFS mirror)
Networking: 2x 10 GbE NICs
🗄️ ZFS-Based Storage Node
CPU: AMD EPYC 9334 (1x)
Memory: 128 GB DDR5 ECC
Storage: 8x 1.92 TB SSD (ZFS)
Networking: 2x 25 GbE NICs
🧪 Entry-Level Cluster Node
CPU: Intel Xeon Silver 4410Y (1x)
Memory: 64 GB DDR5 ECC
Storage: 2x 480 GB SSD (ZFS mirror)
Networking: 2x 1 GbE NICs
Proxmox Hardware Requirements: Proxmox-Ready Refurbished Models
💼 Dell PowerEdge (15th Gen)
R750: Dual Xeon, NVMe-ready, great for dense VM hosts or Ceph
R650: Compact 1U compute, perfect for clustered deployments
R750xs: Budget enterprise server, still scalable
🧰 HPE ProLiant (Gen11)
DL380 Gen11: Intel-based, PCIe Gen5, up to 3 TB RAM
DL320 Gen11: Compact and cost-effective for entry setups
DL345 Gen11: AMD-based, great for storage-heavy use cases
🏗️ Lenovo ThinkSystem (V2)
SR650 V2: 2-socket Intel, scalable RAM/storage, ideal VM node
SR630 V2: 1U dense compute, up to 3 TB RAM, flexible storage
💾 IBM Storage
FlashSystem 5035: NVMe or SSD hybrid, great for iSCSI/NFS backends
Storwize V5100: High-performance SAN for Proxmox clusters
These models are fully compatible with Proxmox VE and are ideal for integrators and IT teams looking to build cost-effective, high-performance on-premise virtualization environments.
Proxmox Hardware Requirements: Conclusion
Proxmox VE is an open-source powerhouse, but it needs robust hardware to shine. Whether you're building a Ceph cluster, a ZFS-based NAS, or just a reliable virtual machine host, refurbished servers and storage offer great value. They're affordable, compatible, and available — making them the smart choice for companies offering Proxmox solutions across the EU.
Need help choosing the right setup? We offer tested, warrantied Proxmox-ready gear with fast EU shipping and no upfront payment.
Best Hardware Infrastructure for Proxmox VE
✔️ No Upfront Payment Required - Test First, Pay Later!
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