I’d use an HL4 as a desktop virtualization server. I’d buy the chassis with PSU and use a Minisforum BD790i X3D motherboard. That would have 2x the core/thread count and RAM of the full build.
I use my custom built HL8 as an off-site backup for my data. My brother was kind enough to host it at this house. All my NAS systems run TrueNAS and ZFS snapshots are replicated daily to the HL8. In return, my brother uses the HL8 to run dedicated game servers for him and his friends to use. Satisfactory is the current game of choice.
Waiting for my HL4 to arrive, but I plan to transfer my existing Seagate Exos disks and an Intel Arc A310 GPU into it from an HPE Gen 10 Plus Microserver. I will also add a pair of NVME drives for an app/cache pool. Will move my existing Unraid license over to it. Using for typical home media, file storage, backups, etc. Running plex, ‘arr stack, immich, nextcloud, time machine backups. The Microserver has served me well for 4 years but looking forward to more cores with the Ryzen CPU (ordered the fully built option) and the ability to have dual NVME plus a discrete GPU and 4 spinning disks. Should be set for a while!
Just ordered the HL8 fully built system to run my Plex media server. Use it as drive pool storage for Docker containers like Immich and Next Cloud. I am excited as projected ship date is 9/23.
Just reach out to @Vikram-45HomeLab and he will give you an update on your order. The website itself doesn’t show it and you will get an email once it’s shipped. I do wish that aspect of the website was better but @Vikram-45HomeLab was very quick to respond and was very helpful!
My HL4 arrived yesterday and I got it setup with Unraid. All went well, but I do find that the single Noctua 120x15 fan at the front of the drive cage isn’t enough to keep drive temps regularly under 40C, which is my preference. I see provisions on the rear of the case for another fan. I’m not near the server to measure right now. Does anyone know what size fits back there? Is it the same as the front (120x15), or would a 120x25 fit for a bit more airflow and higher static pressure? Thanks.
I removed the NVME with rocky linux installed on it that came with the HL4 and then put in a mirrored pair of NVMEs to use for a cache/app pool in unraid. I also added my GPU. It all worked without a hitch. The cooling of the hard drives is not as good as I was expecting but I think it will be okay.
I chose to use my own NVMEs for a mirror since I had a matched pair of Samsung 500GB’s. Your approach would be fine if you just want a single cache drive.
The HL4 is just an AMD based mini ITX system. It is fully supported on Unraid.