Pi 3 or 4 for home webserver

[xlc]

Hi guys, Im new to raspberry pi and looking forward to 'playing' with it.

Im wanting to setup a home server first. Got my static IP sorted via my ISP and now wanting to get ordering the parts.

Heres what Im wanting to do to start.

Webserver for 2 or 3 websites and a mysql forum with 5000 members (but only 100 regularly a day login)
File Backups for all home devices (photos, docs etc)

I wanted to also run a mail server but my ISP is blocking port 25 so guess thats a no?

Anyway, which Pi is the best to go for, 3b+ or 4?
and if the 4, which memory 1GB or 2GB (cant afford 4GB unless you say its necessary!)

Ive got a couple of 250GB 2.5" HDD in usb enclosures. (Ill get a bigger drive when its all up and running and working stable)
Would a X820 board be better than running a HDD from USB?

And of course a power supply is important, should I just go for the genuine one?


Thanks for your help

[neilgl]

I would go with Pi4 2GB version, and an official PSU for it.

[wildfire]

Either or

Since the 3b+ and 4B are similarly priced I'd choose the 4B.

Regarding memory, go for as much as you can afford. And with that port 25 blocking, there is ways around that

[xlc]

Ok how do I get around port 25 blocked?
and doesnt a mail server require at least 2GB ram?

apart from the mailserver, does a webserver etc run better with 2GB?

I was thinking the 3b+ because its cheaper over here in the UK? but if the 4 is better then Ill pay the extra.

Thanks

[Andyroo]

A company called Dynu Systems can store and forward your mail to a port other than 25 https://www.dynu.com/en-US/Email - its a low cost ($10 / year / domain) and can be set up very quickly.

Note you may want to check your T&Cs and see if your ISP allows you to do what you want - some can hit folk with capped speed / extra costs as its buried in the T&Cs if you are a 'home user' rather than corporate (and if they are blocking port 25 then they do not class you as corporate).

[davidcoton]

Personally, I would not want to run a home backup server on the same computer as an externally accessible web/mail server (call me paranoid if you like).

Read up on security and make sure you avoid many of the common pitfalls (worst is using external SSH access on the default account and password). Use security tools like fail2ban, and keep up to date with OS patches.