Quick answer: For most people, a small x86 mini PC
is the better first home server. It runs every mainstream self-hosted
app, takes standard SSDs, can use Intel’s hardware video transcoding,
and is not limited to ARM software. Pick a Raspberry Pi
5 instead if your server will do a few light jobs (Home
Assistant, a DNS filter, a few containers), you want a tiny always-on
box, or you already own one. The Raspberry Pi 5 is capable, but Jellyfin
says it has no hardware video encoders, and Proxmox VE doesn’t support the Raspberry Pi at all.
Both options are good. The mistake is buying the wrong one for the
apps you actually want to run. This article compares them using the
makers’ own documents, so you can match the hardware to the job before
you spend anything.
This is a comparison guide, not a hands-on test. We did not benchmark
a Raspberry Pi 5 or any mini PC for this article. Hardware facts come
from the Raspberry Pi 5 product brief and documentation, Intel’s spec
page, and each app’s official docs, all checked on November 9,
2026. We do not quote mini PC prices because they change
quickly. The Raspberry Pi list prices below come from the product
brief.
What are we comparing?
The Raspberry Pi 5 is a single-board computer: a 64-bit Arm board
that you build into a system with a power supply, storage and usually a
case. A “mini PC” here means a small x86-64 desktop with an Intel or AMD
chip. To keep the comparison concrete, we use the Intel Processor N150
as the example, because it is a common chip in small, efficient mini
PCs. Our mini PC buying guide
covers the other CPU tiers.
| Spec | Raspberry Pi 5 | Mini PC with Intel N150 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4-core Arm Cortex-A76, 2.4 GHz | 4 cores / 4 threads, x86-64 |
| Memory | LPDDR4X in 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 GB sizes | Up to 16 GB, single channel |
| Main storage | microSD slot; NVMe or SATA only through add-ons | Depends on the model; check the slots |
| Network | Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 | Depends on the model |
| Power input | 5V/5A USB-C | Depends on the model |
Sources: Raspberry Pi 5 product brief and Intel’s N150 specification
page. Mini PC details such as storage slots, network ports and power
adapters vary by manufacturer, so check the exact model.
Two details stand out. The Pi 5’s memory comes in fixed sizes. The
N150’s 16 GB maximum applies to mini PCs built on it, so the 16 GB Pi 5
matches that ceiling. Intel also lists ECC memory as unsupported on the
N150, and the Pi 5 brief does not list ECC either.
Software
compatibility: the part that decides it
Hardware specs matter less than whether your apps run well. Here is
what each project’s documentation says.
| App | On a Raspberry Pi 5 | On an x86 mini PC |
|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant | Supported: Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with at least 2 GB RAM | Supported as an x86-64 install |
| Immich (photos) | Runs on arm64; needs 6 GB RAM minimum (8 recommended) | Runs on amd64; same RAM guidance |
| Jellyfin (media) | Works, but the Pi 5 has no hardware encoders | Intel Quick Sync is supported |
| Docker Engine | Supported on arm64 | Supported on amd64 |
| Proxmox VE | Not supported on Raspberry Pi | Fully supported on x86-64 |
Home Assistant
Home Assistant’s installation page lists a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 with
at least 2 GB of RAM as a supported route for Home Assistant OS, and
describes an x86-64 machine as another route. A Pi 5 is a very
comfortable home for Home Assistant on its own.
Immich
Immich’s requirements page says it runs on both amd64 and arm64, with
a minimum of 6 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended) and at least 2 CPU cores (4
recommended). So a Pi 5 can host it, but only the 8 GB or 16 GB models
fit the guidance. The same page says the database should be on local SSD
storage and never on a network share, which matters for how you attach
storage to a Pi. The page also warns that Docker inside an LXC container
is not recommended.
Jellyfin and video
transcoding
This is the sharpest difference. Jellyfin’s hardware acceleration
page says it once supported acceleration on the Raspberry Pi, but the
support “never reached the level of maturity” of other methods, and that
the Raspberry Pi 5 “lacks hardware encoders entirely.” Jellyfin says it
has deprecated Raspberry Pi hardware acceleration. The Pi 5 brief lists
a 4Kp60 HEVC decoder, which handles playing a file, but no
encoder for transcoding.
On the x86 side, Jellyfin documents Intel Quick Sync Video and
VA-API. If you stream to a phone or a TV that cannot play your files
directly, the server must transcode, and a Pi 5 would do that on its
CPU. If your devices play your files directly (direct play), you do not
transcode, and a Pi 5 can serve them. Know which case you are in before
you decide.
Proxmox and virtual machines
Proxmox VE’s system requirements list 64-bit x86 first and mention
arm64 as an alternative, with the recommended ARM host being a CPU with
ARMv9-A or newer. But the same page says device-tree-only single-board computers, such as the Raspberry Pi, are not supported. If you want Proxmox or virtual machines, use an x86 mini PC. The Proxmox docs also say an x86 host needs Intel VT or AMD-V for
KVM virtualization.
Docker
Docker’s documentation for Debian says Docker Engine is compatible
with x86_64 (amd64), armhf, arm64 and ppc64le. Many self-hosted images
publish arm64 builds, but check each image’s page for a Linux/arm64 tag
before you commit. An image that only ships for amd64 will not run on
the Pi.
Storage: where a Pi
needs the most care
A Pi 5 boots from a microSD card out of the box. For a server that
writes constantly, many people prefer an SSD, and Immich’s database
guidance points the same way.
- NVMe through a HAT. The Pi 5 exposes a single-lane
PCIe 2.0 interface, and the brief says it needs a separate M.2 HAT or
adapter. Raspberry Pi’s M.2 HAT+ supports 2230 and 2242 drives, and the
docs list a 500 MB/s peak transfer rate. The documentation also says the
Pi 5 is not certified for PCIe Gen 3 speeds and that Gen 3 connections
might be unstable. See our NVMe vs SATA guide for how that compares with
other drives. - USB SSD. The Pi 5 has two USB 3.0 ports. A
USB-attached SSD is simple, but cables and enclosures are an extra thing
that can disconnect. - Power matters for drives. Raspberry Pi’s power
documentation recommends the 27 W USB-C Power Supply for the Pi 5. With
it, the Pi 5 allows up to 1.6 A to USB peripherals; with a 3 A supply,
the limit is 600 mA. A bus-powered drive on a weaker adapter is a
classic source of odd errors.
On a mini PC, you usually get a standard M.2 slot, sometimes two, or
a 2.5-inch bay. The slot count varies by model, so that is the first
thing to check. If you want a separate drive for data, look for one.
Power, heat and noise
Both can run all day. The Pi 5 brief lists an operating temperature
of 0°C to 70°C and tells you to keep the board in a well-ventilated
environment, and not to cover a case. It also states that Raspberry Pi 5
will remain in production until at least January 2036, which is useful
if you want to buy a replacement in a few years.
Intel lists a 6 W base power for the N150. That is a rating for the
chip, not a measurement of what a whole mini PC pulls from the wall, and
the Pi’s 5V/5A input is the supply rating, not its real use. We have not
measured either, so we do not claim one is cheaper to run. If
electricity use matters, look for independent power measurements of the
exact model you plan to buy.
What does it cost?
We will not quote mini PC prices. For the Pi 5, the product brief
lists these list prices: $45 (1 GB), $77.50 (2 GB), $110 (4 GB), $175 (8
GB) and $385 (16 GB). Retail prices may differ.
The board is only part of the bill. A Pi build usually also
needs:
- A power supply (Raspberry Pi recommends the 27 W unit)
- Storage: a microSD card, or an M.2 HAT plus an NVMe drive, or a USB
SSD - A case and cooling
- A network cable and a way to flash the first install
Mini PCs often include a power adapter, and some include a drive or
an operating system, so read each listing. Add up the full list for both
options with today’s prices before you compare. A bare Pi 5 board looks
cheaper than it ends up being.
Which one should you choose?
| Your plan | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Home Assistant only | Raspberry Pi 5 | Officially supported, small, low maintenance |
| Home Assistant plus a few light containers | Raspberry Pi 5 (4 GB or 8 GB) | Fits within the Pi’s strengths |
| Immich for your family’s photos | Mini PC, or a Pi 5 with 8 GB or 16 GB | Needs 6 GB RAM and local SSD storage |
| Jellyfin for phones, TVs and remote streaming | Mini PC | Hardware transcoding is supported on Intel |
| Proxmox and virtual machines | Mini PC | Full x86 support |
| A learning machine for Linux and Docker | Either | Both teach the same skills |
If you cannot decide, start with a mini PC. It leaves more room to
grow, and you can still add a Raspberry Pi later for a dedicated job.
For a full starter plan, see our home
lab starter guide.
Common mistakes
- Buying a 2 GB Pi for Immich. The official minimum
is 6 GB. - Assuming a Pi will transcode video. The Pi 5 has no
hardware encoders, per Jellyfin. - Skipping the power supply. A weak adapter limits
USB devices to 600 mA. - Running the only copy of your data on a microSD
card. Keep backups, following the 3-2-1 rule in our Linux backup guide. - Buying an N-series mini PC with too little RAM. You
cannot exceed 16 GB later.
FAQ
Can a Raspberry Pi 5 run
a home server?
Yes. It is a supported platform for Home Assistant, runs Docker on
arm64, and can host many services. Check each app’s requirements,
especially RAM.
Is a mini PC faster
than a Raspberry Pi 5?
We did not benchmark either, so we will not give a number. Both have
four cores in the models we compared. What differs is the software
ecosystem, the RAM ceiling, the storage options and hardware video
support.
Can I run Proxmox on a
Raspberry Pi 5?
No. Proxmox VE’s arm64 edition explicitly doesn’t support device-tree-only boards such as the Raspberry Pi. Use a mini PC (x86) if you want Proxmox.
Which Raspberry
Pi 5 memory size should I buy?
Match it to your apps. Home Assistant lists a minimum of 2 GB. Immich
lists 6 GB minimum and 8 GB recommended, so for it, choose an 8 GB or 16
GB board.
Do I need a fan or
heatsink for the Pi 5?
The brief asks for a well-ventilated space and says not to cover the
case. Check Raspberry Pi’s current cooling accessories and guidance for
your case and workload.
Sources
All checked November 9, 2026.
- Raspberry
Pi 5 product brief - Raspberry
Pi documentation: M.2 HAT+ - Raspberry
Pi documentation: power supplies (GitHub source) - Intel
Processor N150 specifications - Home Assistant
installation - Immich
requirements - Jellyfin
hardware acceleration - Proxmox
VE system requirements - Docker
Engine on Debian
By Early Adopted Editorial Team. Last updated: November 10, 2026