WAL
Decision matrix in Markdown format to clearly evaluate the trade-off between the GMKtec K8 Plus and the custom Ryzen 9 9950X server for a Sage 50 Proxmox-based deployment:
⸻
✅ Sage 50 Server Decision Matrix — Compact vs Long-Life Build
| Factor | GMKtec K8 Plus (~£730) | Ryzen 9 9950X Custom Build (~£3,800) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, mobile) | Ryzen 9 9950X (16C/32T, desktop) |
| RAM Capacity | Max 64 GB DDR5 (non-ECC) | Up to 192 GB DDR5 ECC (server-grade) |
| Storage Expandability | 2× NVMe slots | 2× NVMe + SATA + PCIe RAID support |
| Thermal Management | Good, but limited headroom | Excellent, oversized cooler and airflow |
| Power Supply | External 120W adapter | High-end 850W PSU + UPS for resilience |
| Networking | Dual 2.5GbE | Dual 10GbE + onboard 2.5GbE |
| Repairability | Poor — single-board system | Excellent — all components swappable |
| Form Factor | Ultra compact, silent | Full tower workstation/server |
| Expected Lifetime | ~5–6 years | 8–10+ years |
| Future-Proofing | Low — capped RAM/CPU | High — scalable RAM, PCIe, storage |
| ECC Memory | ❌ Not supported | ✅ Fully supported |
| RAID / ZFS Mirror | ❌ Not practical | ✅ Fully supported |
| UPS / Power Redundancy | ❌ Optional only | ✅ Built-in UPS protection |
| Cost | ✅ Affordable | ❌ 5× higher upfront cost |
✅ Choose the GMKtec K8 Plus if you:
- Need a compact, quiet, energy-efficient server
- Will only run 1–2 VMs for the next ~5 years
- Can accept limited expandability and moderate long-term risk
✅ Choose the Ryzen 9 9950X build if you:
- Want a long-term infrastructure with minimal future replacement
- Need more VMs, heavier loads, or rapid growth capacity
- Prioritise ECC RAM, RAID/ZFS, UPS, and repairable components