[[PVE]] should be installed bare metal on an [[x86-64]]-architecture system which uses a [[CPU]] that supports hardware-assisted [x86 virtualisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86_virtualization) (Intel VT-x/VT-d or AMD-V/AMD-Vi). Additionally the system should have [[UEFI]] ***enabled*** with [Secure Boot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_restriction#Secure_boot) ***disabled***.
Suggested minimum hardware specification is `4-threads` with `8GB RAM` and `128GB eMMC/SATA/NVMe SSD` (no SD or HDD for performance reasons). Check official [System Requirements](https://proxmox.com/en/proxmox-ve/requirements).
Below is a suggested list of manufacturers and the systems I have tested/deployed, which will be continuously kept up to date as I test/deploy new systems. I prefer AMD CPUs to Intel, the primary reason being the higher core/thread count representing a better value to Intel.
- [[Beelink]]
- GTR6 6900HX (barebone)
- SER5-Pro 5800H
- [[MinisForum]]
- UM690 6900HX (barebone)
- UM690 5900HX (barebone)
- Elite Mini HX90 (barebone)
- [[GoWin]] - promote their systems to the router market; however, they are also great to use as an entry level [[PVEn]] and even better, due to their relatively low cost, as an entry level [[PVEc]], running communications infrastructure services
- GW-R86S-B2 (N5100, 8GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE, fanless)
- GW-R86S-B3 (N5100, 16GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE, fanless)
- GW-R86S-P1 (N5105, 8GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE)
- GW-R86S-P2 (N5105, 16GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE)
- GW-R86S-P3 (N5105, 16GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE, 1 x WiFi6E/BT5)
- GW-R86S-G1 (N5105, 8GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE, 2 x 10GbE SFP)
- GW-R86S-G2 (N5105, 16GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE, 2 x 10GbE SFP)
- GW-R86S-G3 (N6005, 16GB, 128GB eMMC, 1 x M2 2280 NVMe, 3 x 2.5GbE, 2 x 10GbE SFP, 1 x WiFi6E/BT5)
The easiest way to bare-metal install [[PVE]] is using [Ventoy](https://www.ventoy.net). Installing it is as simple as:
- Create a Ventoy USB flash drive (UFD)
- Copy the [[PVE]] ISO to the Ventoy UFD
- Boot the target computer using the Ventoy UFD
- Install [[PVE]]