Bitcoin Node: Cheap options to run my node

[Vampobit]

Hello,

I have read a post about "Cheap Node Self Hosting", but I wanted to ask a very simple question to which I haven't been able to find an answer online.

I have only one laptop at home, which I use everyday for all my tasks. Can I use an external HDD to store the blockchain and set Bitcoin Core to use this disk ? Would that be enough to make a custom bitcoin node? I know that this means that I will leave my laptop turned on all day.

My laptop specs are: 16GB RAM and i7 11th gen processor.

I could buy an external SSD, but since I already own an external HDD, I wanted to know whether there are major differences.

Forgive my ignorance.

thanks

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[jackg]

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.

I tried syncing a laptop with 8GB ram and a hard disk drive (internal) and I expect it'd complete the sync in about 4 days to a week if I left it running with a high dbcache (memory usage).

It'll be something that you'll be able to work out what works once you've done it. I don't think an external SSD would be much faster than an external hard drive unless it uses a faster connection (such as usbc or ethernet to connect to your computer). Replacing a ram stick with an SSD might boost the sync though (and then you can move your synced files onto a hard drive) - assuming you have two 8gb ram drives and they connect fairly normally (they fit in different sizes though iirc so you'd have to find something compatible).

[simpleSliv3r]

Hello,

I have read a post about "Cheap Node Self Hosting", but I wanted to ask a very simple question to which I haven't been able to find an answer online.

I have only one laptop at home, which I use everyday for all my tasks. Can I use an external HDD to store the blockchain and set Bitcoin Core to use this disk ? Would that be enough to make a custom bitcoin node? I know that this means that I will leave my laptop turned on all day.

My laptop specs are: 16GB RAM and i7 11th gen processor.

I could buy an external SSD, but since I already own an external HDD, I wanted to know whether there are major differences.

Forgive my ignorance.

thanks

Hi!

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.

If your laptop uses Linux you can use this post to follow the steps in order to set up the node: https://ishaana-misra.medium.com/using-raspberry-pi-to-run-a-full-bitcoin-node-a30c6339b06e
It's for a Raspberry but it's the same, Linux is Linux, if you have a debian distro based this should work.
If you're using Windows I think there's a GUI and you can configure where you want to save the blockchain in a simple way. (Not sure about this, never tried on Windows).

Hope this helps!

[BlackHatCoiner]

Would that be enough to make a custom bitcoin node?

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.

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.

Impossible to run a non-pruned full node with a 500 GB disk as of December, because the chain weights more than that.

[simpleSliv3r]

Would that be enough to make a custom bitcoin node?

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.

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.

Impossible to run a non-pruned full node with a 500 GB disk as of December, because the chain weights more than that.

It's not. I cannot attach screenshots of my node info right now (I will try to edit this and add it later) but you can check this charts:
https://www.blockchain.com/es/explorer/charts/blocks-size
https://blockchair.com/es/bitcoin/charts/blockchain-size

It will reach these values in a short time, but for the moment with 500GB the node will work.

[dkbit98]

I have only one laptop at home, which I use everyday for all my tasks. Can I use an external HDD to store the blockchain and set Bitcoin Core to use this disk ? Would that be enough to make a custom bitcoin node? I know that this means that I will leave my laptop turned on all day.

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.

[BlackHatCoiner]

It will reach these values in a short time, but for the moment with 500GB the node will work.

Unless I understand something wrong, but from a quick getblockchaininfo:

Code:

$ bitcoin-cli getblockchaininfo
{
  ...
  "size_on_disk": 506780963358,
  ...
}

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.

Indeed. If the laptop doesn't have a good CPU or OP doesn't have a decent internet connection, Bitcoin Core is going to slow down most of the tasks.

[NotATether]

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.

Sync should work fine even if you have only 4 GB memory. One of the hallmarks of Bitcoin Core is its low resource requirement compared to full nodes of several altcoins, where 32GB memory and 2TB SSD (it has to be SSD) are not uncommon.

[LoyceMobile]

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.

[DaveF]

...
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

[Vampobit]

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 ?

[LoyceV]

Will I need 8-10 GB for everyday usage?

No. My dbcache is set to 1024 MB, and I usually set it to 4096 MB when syncing.
Today is the first time I saw someone suggest 8 GB or more.

I started syncing the blockchain and it took sooooo long and just... stopped it... I know, silly.

I've never tried with an external disk. For comparison: I expect my (ancient) laptop to take just over 24 hours for a full sync.

Does anybody have any idea if buying a pre-built node is better and for what reason?

I wouldn't trust anyone to build my Bitcoin Core node.

[DaveF]

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 ?

That and a tiny bit of support. If there is an issue you don't have to rad docs and post here. you go to them for support and they help you.
But all in all, if you are running it on a Windows machine it's download one executable and done.

There is a tiny bit more to do in linux depending on your config but not much.
RPi builds are good to, but at the moment due to their scarcity a used PC is not much more in price, possibly less depending on where you are located.

Overkill for $229: https://www.microcenter.com/product/645445/dell-optiplex-3020-sff-desktop-computer-(refurbished)

-Dave

[Vampobit]

I wouldn't trust anyone to build my Bitcoin Core node.

I agree on this. I have to say though that if we want people to run their own nodes, there must be some "easier" alternatives. Don't get me wrong, I just mean that, even though "not your node, not your rules" is obviously true, I have been trying to orange-pill my parents and they really seem to struggle... So, I will set a node for them, in their appartment, but I really don't expect them to understand how I did it.

That and a tiny bit of support. If there is an issue you don't have to rad docs and post here. you go to them for support and they help you.
But all in all, if you are running it on a Windows machine it's download one executable and done.

There is a tiny bit more to do in linux depending on your config but not much.
RPi builds are good to, but at the moment due to their scarcity a used PC is not much more in price, possibly less depending on where you are located.

Overkill for $229: https://www.microcenter.com/product/645445/dell-optiplex-3020-sff-desktop-computer-(refurbished)

-Dave

Yes! I will probably go for a mini-pc or laptop.

[LoyceV]

I have been trying to orange-pill my parents and they really seem to struggle... So, I will set a node for them, in their appartment, but I really don't expect them to understand how I did it.

If it's for people who don't really know what they're doing, aren't they better off with a simple hardware wallet? It's worse for privacy than running your own node, but that looks like an acceptable trade off compared to the risks of using a hot wallet without knowing exactly what they're doing.

[Vampobit]

If it's for people who don't really know what they're doing, aren't they better off with a simple hardware wallet? It's worse for privacy than running your own node, but that looks like an acceptable trade off compared to the risks of using a hot wallet without knowing exactly what they're doing.

Yes, absolutely, I have already set 2 hardware wallets for them and normally they send me FIAT and I buy them Sats. But you are right about the nodes.