Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYes, all five projects below can be installed on a spare desktop or laptop you already own. Whether they run well depends on the project and on the machine. Jellyfin is the most sensitive to an older CPU, graphics setup, and network connection. Immich publishes memory and CPU minimums that some old machines will not meet. For Pi-hole, Home Assistant, and Syncthing, the official pages describe prerequisites but do not give one number that settles fit for every household. “Any old PC” is a reasonable starting point, not a compatibility guarantee.
Check your hardware before you choose
Before installing anything, confirm these four things. They decide which projects are realistic on a given machine.
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- CPU generation. Jellyfin 10.11 requires SSE4.1 on x86 processors. Old chips do not all have it, so look up your exact CPU model rather than assuming an older machine qualifies.
- Memory. Note the installed RAM. Immich and Jellyfin both publish RAM figures (covered below).
- Wired networking. Jellyfin’s guide recommends gigabit Ethernet or faster. Check whether the machine has a gigabit port before relying on it for streaming.
- Free storage. Photo libraries and media collections grow quickly. Plan for the size of the files you actually want to keep, not the size of the disk you have.
The five projects
Pi-hole: network DNS filtering
Pi-hole runs as a DNS service on your home network, so every device that uses it for name lookups gets filtered. It can also optionally serve DHCP. Its official prerequisites page covers the network and hardware requirements; check that page for current details before you install.
Set expectations carefully. Pi-hole filters lookups that pass through it, but it will not block every ad in every app. Some ads are served from the same domain as the content they sit beside, and some apps use their own DNS settings and bypass your network’s resolver. Treat it as a broad filter, not a complete ad blocker. Devices only benefit once they actually use the Pi-hole as their DNS server, which usually means changing your router’s DNS setting or each device’s network configuration.
#1 Best Overall
- Model: Dell OptiPlex 7050 Small Form Factor (SFF)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700 3.60 GHz
- Memory: 32GB DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 1TB Solid State Drive (SSD) Fast Boot + Storage
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro (64-bit)
Home Assistant: smart-home control
Home Assistant can run on a computer you already own, inside a virtual machine, or on other supported hardware. Its vendor describes Home Assistant Green as the plug-and-play choice for most people, but you do not need to buy it to use an old PC.
Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2 is an optional accessory for Zigbee, Thread, and Matter devices. You only need it if your smart devices use those radio protocols. Installing Home Assistant does not require it.
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- [INTEL POWERED CONTENT] - Built with a 8th Generation Hexa-Core Intel i5 and 32GB of DDR4 RAM; Modern, Windows 11 ready, with 4K support, Executive multitasking, media streaming and smooth, multi-tab web browsing; Perfect as an all-purpose multimedia computer; built for content creators; Plenty of RAM and Mass storage for photo and video editing powered by Intel HD 630
- [LATEST WIRELESS TECH] - This Dell Desktop Computer easily connects to the internet through the Built In WiFi / Bluetooth
- [SOLID STATE STORAGE] - This Dell Computer setup comes with an ultra-fast 1TB Solid State Drive (SSD); Setup as the primary boot device; Boot and load programs with lightning speed ; Additional expansion available
- [BUY & OWN WITH CONFIDENCE] - From the world's largest Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher; Quality Guarantee and Free Tech Support; Award-winning Customer Service; | Support Sustainable Business
- [MODERN HI-SPEED PORTS] - USB 3.0 (x4) | USB 2.0 (x4) | DisplayPort (x1) | HDMI Port (x1) | Audio Combo Jack (x1) | Audio Out (x1) | RJ-45 Ethernet (x1) | Internal SATA (x3)
Jellyfin: a personal media server
Jellyfin organizes a personal media library and streams it to your devices. Of the five projects, it is the one most affected by an old machine’s CPU, graphics, and network.
- Memory: The official hardware-selection guide recommends 8 GB of RAM for an average deployment. It says Linux without a graphical desktop may be able to use 4 GB.
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet or faster is recommended. For remote access, the guide recommends at least 20 Mbps of upload bandwidth.
- CPU: The guide says CPU transcoding can be highly demanding. Transcoding happens when the server converts a file on the fly because a playing device cannot handle the original format.
- CPU instructions: Jellyfin 10.11 requires SSE4.1 on x86 CPUs. The guide gives Intel Penryn (Q4 2007) and AMD Bulldozer (Q4 2011) as examples of supported generations. Older processors from the same brands may not qualify, so verify the feature list for your model.
Not every client can play every file without transcoding, so smooth playback depends on your files and your devices as well as the server. Test with a few of your own files on the devices you plan to use before you rely on the setup.
Rank #3
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high-performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com.
- Dell Optiplex 3050 SFF Desktop computer PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD
- Includes: USB Keyboard & Mouse, USB WiFi adapter, Microsoft office 30 days free trail.
- Port: Front: USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2); Rear: DP, HDMI, USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2), RJ-45.
- Support 4K (3840x2160) Dual display, makes it easy to connect two monitors at the same time, and you can expand working Windows, mirror content, or expand a single window across multiple monitors.
Immich: a self-hosted photo library
Immich is a photo-management and backup workflow you run yourself. Its requirements page lists Linux or another 64-bit Unix-like operating system as the recommended platform.
- Minimum: 6 GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores.
- Recommended: 8 GB of RAM and 4 CPU cores.
Treat these as published requirements, not a performance promise. A machine that meets the minimum may still be slow with a very large library, and a machine below it should not be expected to run Immich reliably. Keep an independent copy of any photos you cannot replace, because a self-hosted server is not a substitute for a second copy.
Rank #4
- Powerful Business-Class Performance – Equipped with a reliable Intel Core i5-6500 (3.2GHz) processor to handle multitasking, office applications, and web browsing with ease..
- Efficient Multitasking – Features 16GB DDR4 RAM for smooth performance when running multiple programs, tabs, or virtual meetings.
- Fast & Secure Storage – Includes a 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD) for fast boot-up times, quicker file access, and added reliability.
- Connectivity You Need – Comes with Wireless WiFi, HDMI, and DisplayPort outputs for flexible dual-monitor setups and modern connectivity, DVD ROM
- Windows 11 Pro Installed – Preloaded and activated with Windows 11 Pro, giving you advanced productivity, security, and a user-friendly experience right out of the box.
Syncthing: file synchronization between devices
Syncthing keeps folders you choose in step between computers. Its FAQ says changes and deletions propagate to the other devices, and it explicitly calls Syncthing “not a great backup application.” Deleting a file on one device removes it from the others, so a synced folder is not a safety net against mistakes.
On security, Syncthing’s documentation says device-to-device traffic is protected by TLS, and devices must be configured to trust one another before they sync. Pair Syncthing with a separate backup, such as an external USB drive or a copy stored on a different machine.
Best Value
- Powerful 8th Generation Processor - The Dell OptiPlex 7060 desktop computer is powered by an Intel 6-core 8th Generation i7-8700 processor, which can reach up to 4.60 Ghz, enabling efficient multitasking.
- Microsoft Windows 11 Pro – This Dell small form factor desktop computer comes pre-installed with the Windows 11 Professional operating system. Microsoft has reimagined how the PC should work for you and alongside you, and this Windows 11-powered desktop is redefining productivity.
- Smooth Multitasking – The Dell OptiPlex is equipped with a blazing-fast new 512GB M.2 NVMe solid-state drive (SSD), which stores important files and applications while supporting faster boot speeds and higher data transfer rates.
- High-Performance Office Desktop – This business desktop computer serves as a reliable workstation, suitable for both home and business computing. The spacious desktop tower case allows for future expansion, making it an excellent fit for use as an office PC.
- Rich Ports – This Dell OptiPlex computer is equipped with 5 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and 2 DisplayPort ports, supporting dual-monitor connections. Additionally, a wireless keyboard and mouse are included.
Side-by-side comparison
The table compares the five projects on the factors that matter most when you reuse older hardware. Where the official sources do not state a figure, the cell says so.
| Project | Job it solves | Hardware intensity | Network exposure | Data-loss consequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pi-hole | DNS filtering for the household | Numeric figures not stated on the prerequisites page reviewed; check the current page | Serves DNS to every device configured to use it on your local network | No personal files stored; a failure interrupts name lookups until fixed |
| Home Assistant | Smart-home control and automation | Runs on an existing computer, VM, or supported hardware; numeric minimums not stated in the sources checked | Local control by default; remote access is a separate setup decision | Automation and device configuration can be lost without a backup |
| Jellyfin | Streaming a personal media library | High: 8 GB RAM recommended for an average deployment; CPU transcoding highly demanding; SSE4.1 required on x86 (10.11) | Gigabit Ethernet recommended; 20 Mbps upload recommended for remote access | The server does not own your media; keep your own copy of the files |
| Immich | Photo library and backup workflow | High: 6 GB RAM and 2 cores minimum; 8 GB RAM and 4 cores recommended | Depends on whether you enable remote access | Photos are lost if the server is the only copy |
| Syncthing | Keeping chosen folders in sync | Numeric figures not stated in the FAQ or security documentation reviewed | Device-to-device traffic protected by TLS; devices must be configured to trust each other | Deletions and changes propagate to every synced device |
Which one to start with
Start with the project that solves a problem your household already has, and check its requirements against your machine before installing it.
Quick Recap
- Ads and tracking across every device on your network: Pi-hole, once you are comfortable changing DNS settings.
- Lights, sensors, and automations: Home Assistant. Add Connect ZBT-2 only if your devices use Zigbee, Thread, or Matter.
- Movies and shows for the living room: Jellyfin, but only after confirming your CPU has SSE4.1 and your network meets the guide’s figures. If your machine falls short, skip Jellyfin for now.
- Phone photos with an automatic backup: Immich, if your machine meets at least the stated minimums and you keep a separate copy of your photos.
- Two computers sharing the same working folders: Syncthing, paired with an independent backup.
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