It might depend on how much ram you normally expect to use. If you can spare 8-10GB for dbcache then you'll find the sync goes by a lot faster than it would.
Thanks! Just a question. Will I need 8-10 GB for everyday usage? or is it that much just as long as the syncing process lasts?
Yes, you can run a full node with that. Just make sure that the external HDD has at least 500-600 GB of memory. I'm running a full node in a raspberry pi4 8gb ram with an HDD with 500 GB more or less and it works perfect.
Thank you!
Yes. Not sure what you mean with "custom" though. This setup is enough for a Bitcoin node. You'll notice difference if you purchase the SSD, but it's just luxury. It works fine with HDD.
"Custom" is the wrong word to use probably. I meant "not a pre-built node", like ones you can buy from mynode or start9 for example.
You shouldn't really use your everyday laptop for running Bitcoin node, and you don't need latest generation processor or crazy amount of RAM at all.
If you still plan to continue using this laptop both for Bitcoin node and for everyday tasks, internet, etc than I would say NO, don't do it.
Better buy cheap used laptop or raspberry pi with 1TB hard drive and use it only for running bitcoin node, bitcoin software and nothing else.
SSD would be much faster but regular HDD can do the job and it's much cheaper.
Alright! thanks for the answer! I suppose that eventually I will follow your advice. It's just... in my country, finding as raspberry is a pain in the ....
Why don't you just try it? I'm running Bitcoin Core on my old laptop that I use for other tasks too, and it works fine.
I managed to install a second disk though, external disks are risky if you accidentally disconnect them.
Yes, well... trying is a good idea, but the reason why I haven't is that I started syncing the blockchain and it took sooooo long and just... stopped it... I know, silly.
...
If you still plan to continue using this laptop both for Bitcoin node and for everyday tasks, internet, etc than I would say NO, don't do it.
Better buy cheap used laptop or raspberry pi with 1TB hard drive and use it only for running bitcoin node, bitcoin software and nothing else.
SSD would be much faster but regular HDD can do the job and it's much cheaper.
100% this. It's too easy for something else to go wrong when you are going to be using the laptop for other things.
Something else grabs the USB drive for a second to check files, do you wind up with some blockchain corruption.
Surfing around and pick up some malware, kiss your coins goodby.
Want to take the laptop to the couch to watch some cat videos. Do you shutdown the node and disconnect the drive or do you carry it to the couch too?
And so on.
-Dave
Hello Dave. Yes... I haven't thought about it! thanks
Well thank you all! I have decided I will probably buy an old laptop (or raspberry). I will install my HDD and put linux on it. And that's all.
Does anybody have any idea if buying a pre-built node is better and for what reason? I suspect it's only for convenience and for people who don't want to "try-hard" about it. Am I wrong ?
