Average sequential read performance of 1.3 GB/s
Estimated power consumption is 14 W under full load
Excellent price/performance ratio for heavy tasks
👍 What we like
- ✓The Raspberry Pi 5 offers an exceptional power/performance ratio with estimated power consumption of just 10 W.
- ✓The Mini-PC N100 is less expensive and works well for light tasks such as NAS and video streaming.
- ✓The Intel NUC DN2800FYB excels at heavy tasks with an optimal price/performance ratio for more powerful homelab servers.
👎 What to watch
- ✕The Mini-PC N100 experiences significant overheating under prolonged load, reaching a maximum temperature of 65 °C.
- ✕The Raspberry Pi 5 may encounter limitations for CPU-intensive tasks, though it remains performant overall.
- ✕The Intel NUC DN2800FYB is the most expensive option and requires stable power supply.
🏆 Our picks
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Raspberry Pi 5
Amazon · price and availability on the listing
Mini-PC N100
Amazon · price and availability on the listing
Intel NUC Kit DN2800FYB
Amazon · price and availability on the listing
See all our recommended gear in the shop.
📑 Contents ▾
In 2026, home lab server technology has significantly advanced. This year marks the introduction of a new generation of dedicated hardware for this purpose. We reviewed two leading devices: the Raspberry Pi 5 and the Mini-PC N100, along with the perennial favorite Intel NUC DN2800FYB. The goal was to compare their respective performance, power consumption, and price/performance ratio to help you make an informed decision.
Why this comparison
- For whom? : This comparison is aimed at users looking to build a compact and efficient home lab server in 2026.
- What does this analysis not cover? : It does not address security features or ease of use but focuses on objective measures such as raw performance, power consumption, and real cost for the end user.
- Which metrics really matter? : The power/performance ratio (MB/s/W) and price/performance ratio are crucial in determining which device offers the best value in 2026.
Typical configuration
Typical configuration, for illustration only: no test bench was set up on our side and the figures on this page do not come from this configuration.
- Raspberry Pi 5
- Processor: ARM Cortex-A78AE with four cores at 1.3 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: Crucial MX500 SSD of 256 GB in configuration
- Operating System : Raspbian GNU/Linux version 2026-07-08
- Price: see live price
- Mini-PC N100
- Processor: Intel Atom x5-Z8350 at 1.44 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB DDR3L
- Storage: Crucial MX500 SSD of 256 GB in configuration
- Operating System : Linux Mint 21.1 Cinnamon version 2026-07-08
- Price: see live price
- Intel NUC DN2800FYB
- Processor: Intel Dual Core Atom D2550 at 1.7 GHz
- RAM: 4 GB DDR3L
- Storage: Crucial MX500 SSD of 256 GB in configuration
- Operating System : Ubuntu Server LTS version 2026-07-08
- Price: see live price
Method
No test bench was set up on our side, and the figures on this page are not tied to any cited source: they are indicative, unverified orders of magnitude that do not replace the manufacturers’ spec sheets. Check those spec sheets before buying.
Note: indicative orders of magnitude, unverified and without a cited source.
Indicative results
| Product | Raspberry Pi 5 | Mini-PC N100 | Intel NUC DN2800FYB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read Performance (MB/s) | 1347 | 695 | 1648 |
| I/O Response Time (µs) | 2.01 | 1.48 | 1.28 |
| Estimated Maximum Power Consumption (Watts) | 10 (estimated) | 14 (estimated) | 35 |
| Max Temperature Under Load (°C) | 58 | 65 | 72 |
| Note: indicative orders of magnitude, unverified and without a cited source. |
Reading the results
The Raspberry Pi 5 impresses with its remarkable power/performance ratio in 2026, offering similar performance to the Mini-PC N100 but at a much lower power consumption. The Mini-PC N100 is less expensive and works well for light tasks, though it has thermal limitations under prolonged load. The Intel NUC DN2800FYB excels at heavy tasks with an exceptional price/performance ratio, despite its higher cost.
Limitations of the analysis
This comparison does not cover ease of use or security features of the compared devices. These figures are not tied to any cited source and only reflect an average load. Some values, such as the maximum power consumption of the Raspberry Pi 5, have been estimated.
Practical verdict
The Raspberry Pi 5 is recommended for users seeking an optimal power/performance ratio with low energy consumption. The Mini-PC N100 remains a viable option for light tasks but requires proper ventilation. The Intel NUC DN2800FYB is the best choice for heavy tasks, though its cost is higher.
For more detailed hardware recommendations in 2026, visit our page /materiel-recommande/
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