Like many tech enthusiasts, I’m always looking to level up my home lab setup. Recently, I got my hands on a GMKtec G3 Mini PC powered by the Intel N100 processor, and the first thing I knew I wanted to do was turn this compact little powerhouse into a virtualization host using Proxmox VE.
Why Proxmox? That’s actually a big part of this post—because after using it for a while, I think it’s hands down one of the best platforms for running virtual machines and containers at home. But before we dive into installation, let me explain why I chose Proxmox and what makes it special.
Why Proxmox?
There are a few excellent virtualization solutions out there—ESXi, Hyper-V, VirtualBox, etc.—but Proxmox VE (Virtual Environment) checks all the right boxes for homelab and self-hosting use:
✅ Open Source & Free to Use
Proxmox is completely open-source and doesn’t lock critical features behind a paywall. While there’s an enterprise subscription available, all core features are available for free.
✅ All-in-One Platform
It combines a KVM-based hypervisor for full VMs and LXC container support in a single web interface. You don’t need to piece together different tools—it’s all baked in.
✅ Lightweight & Efficient
The base install is lean, meaning you’re not wasting system resources on bloat. Perfect for something like the Intel N100, where every bit of performance matters.
✅ Web-Based Management
You get a modern, fast, browser-based dashboard for managing everything—VMs, containers, storage, networks, backups, and more.
✅ Active Community & Documentation
If you run into issues or want to explore new features, the community forums and official docs are incredibly helpful. Proxmox also rolls out updates regularly.
In short, it’s powerful, reliable, and built for people who want control over their virtualization setup—without needing enterprise-grade infrastructure.
Why the GMKtec G3 N100 Mini PC?
Here’s why I chose the GMKtec G3 N100 as the base for this build:
- CPU: Intel N100 (4-core, 4-thread, Alder Lake efficiency cores)
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD x2 (MIRROR RAID)
- Networking: 2.5G Ethernet port
- Size & Power: Ultra compact, quiet, and draws less than 30W under full load
It’s small, quiet, affordable, and packs enough punch to run several VMs and containers comfortably. Ideal for a 24/7 low-power homelab box.
Step-by-Step: Installing Proxmox VE
1. Download Proxmox VE ISO
I went to proxmox.com and downloaded the latest version of the Proxmox VE installer ISO.
2. Create a Bootable USB
I used balenaEtcher to flash the ISO to a USB drive. You could also use Rufus on Windows or the dd command on Linux.
3. Prepare the GMKtec Mini PC
- Connected a monitor via HDMI
- Plugged in keyboard and mouse
- Inserted the USB
- Entered BIOS (DEL or F7 at startup)
- Disabled Secure Boot
- Set USB as the boot device
4. Install Proxmox
The installation wizard walked me through:
- Selecting “Install Proxmox VE”
- Accepting the EULA
- Choosing the internal NVMe SSD
- Setting the root password and hostname
- Using DHCP for networking (for now)
Installation took under 5 minutes. Afterward, I removed the USB and rebooted.
5. Log In to the Web Interface
Once the system restarted, the console displayed:
I opened that in my browser, ignored the self-signed cert warning, and logged in with the root credentials I set earlier.
Post-Installation Tweaks
🔧 Remove the “No Subscription” Message (Optional)
Edit the following file via SSH or terminal:
/usr/share/javascript/proxmox-widget-toolkit/proxmoxlib.js
Find this line:
data.status !== 'Active'
Replace it with:
false
Note: this gets reset after updates, so it’s totally optional.
🔒 SSH Access
SSH is enabled by default. You can log in using:
ssh root@your-ip
📥 Upload ISOs
Use the web interface to upload your favorite OS ISOs to local > ISO Images.
📦 Update Proxmox
Always run updates after install:
apt update && apt full-upgrade
🧪 Create VMs and Containers
I spun up an Ubuntu VM, a Debian container, and a test LXC for Pi-hole. Everything ran surprisingly well.
Performance & Power
With a few VMs and containers running:
- Idle power draw: ~7–12W
- Under load: ~25–30W
- Noise: Virtually silent
- Thermals: Stays at 55 with no load.
It’s perfect for an always-on homelab.
Final Thoughts
I’m genuinely impressed with this combo. The GMKtec G3 N100 Mini PC paired with Proxmox VE makes for an incredibly efficient, cost-effective homelab setup. Whether you’re experimenting with self-hosted tools, spinning up Linux VMs, or just learning about virtualization, this setup hits the sweet spot.
Here’s what I’m running on it right now:
- Pi-hole for DNS-level ad blocking (LXC)
- Home Assistant for smart home automation (VM)
- Jellyfin media server (VM)
- Nginx web server
- Docker test environment (via container)
If you’re thinking about starting your own homelab, especially on a budget, this setup is definitely worth considering. Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any of the VMs or container configurations—happy to share more!