One of the most important factors, if not the most important, is going to be availability. So the ability to leave a machine always on and connected permantently to the internet will be important - along with a reliable internet connection.

Beyond this, it is very difficult to be specific about the best hardware setup, partly because we can’t test anything until the network launches and grows, but also because there will be factors that vary for each of us (such as physical space available, budget, acceptable noise level, power efficiency, personal OS preferences etc).

So what makes the best machine is harder to say. If you have some hardware you are happy to leave on permanently, I suggest you use that, maybe beef up with a big disk.

Storage Is King, or Is It?

More storage means more opportunities to “farm” (because each data GET request is a farming opportunity), but just adding loads of storage would eventually lose out due to bottlenecks caused by bandwidth and processing capability. It is hard to give advice, because although there will be a “sweet-spot” (of storage, RAM, processing power, internet bandwidth, response times etc.), this sweet spot is both unpredictable and will change because it will depend on the composition of the entire network.

Other Factors

If you are, like some, concerned about size, power consumption and noise, look at some of the cheap Linux devices, such as Odroid or Excito B3. There are others so this is not a recommendation of these devices over similar alternatives.

More Information

Check out the forum SafeCoin category where some hardware options are being discussed. In time this may become a useful resource, especially when people start to share results from the live network.

Links:

DISCLAIMER: the “answers” to this FAQ are guesses and suggestions, to help people consider the best hardware setup for them. Some assumptions made (implicit or explicit) may turn out to be wrong, so its up to the individual to use the information and take the responsibility yourself.