Homemade Cluster Hardware.

For a long time, I am thinking in build a real cluster using second hand computers or cheap barebones. Currently, there are a lot of options in the market that allow build "powerful" low cost microcomputers, so it is relative simple to create cluster with no a lot of money.

I am not the first one that is going to do it. The market is practically eclipsed by Raspberry Pi 3, with an incredible community, so people usually use that computer board to create "cheap" cluster. But, is it the best option?

So before to expend my time researching, I asked for a budget and my wife doesn't allow me expend more than 500€ (US$526) :(

So with this budget in main and with the idea of build a cluster with at least 5 nodes, I researched and made a comparison of 6 different option:

• Rasperry Pi 3
• ODROID XU4
• ODROID C2
• ?Banana Pi M64 
• ?PINE A64+ 2GB?
• mini ITX homemade cheap PCs (second hand if it is possible)
• UP Squared

You can read the full article with comparison and conclusions in my blog, at https://www.acervera.com/blog/2017/01/02/homemade_cluster_hardware

I hope you'll find the article useful. Enjoy!