These machines can be found used for about 100-250 usd/eur. Most often found with 6 core cpu-s (8400t/9400t), single 8gb ram sticks and smaller 256/512gb M.2 nvme drive, and wifi configurations.

What is this is good for?

homelab
k8s nodes
NAS/router
dev/test boxes

Models covered:

M720q
M920q/x
P330 tiny (Same as M920q but with 2x m.2, ie like an M920x)

Awesome projects

Image	Project
	4 Bay NAS
	Kubernetes cluster
	OPNsense box/router
	CEPH Distributed Storage mesh
	ThinkNAS - 2x HDD enclosure for Lenovo M920q
	ThinkNAS - 4x HDD NAS enclosure for Lenovo M920q
	ThinkNAS - 6x HDD NAS enclosure for Lenovo M920q
	ThinkLab - 6 Bay Home Lab - M920q
	THINK NAS - Lenovo Think Style NAS Case
	6-bay 10Gbps NAS from a Lenovo M720Q

Features

Model	RAM	Storage	USB	Video	Network	spec sheet
M720q	2x32GB DDR4	2.5" SATA + M.2 2242/2280*	USB 3.1 Gen1/Gen2 + USB-C	HDMI + DP	1Gbit	spec sheet
M920q	2x32GB DDR4	2.5" SATA + M.2 2242/2280**	USB 3.1 Gen1/Gen2 + USB-C	HDMI + DP	1Gbit	spec sheet
M920x	2x32GB DDR4	2.5" SATA + 2x M.2 2242/2280	USB 3.1 Gen1/Gen2 + USB-C	HDMI + DP	1Gbit	spec sheet
P330	2x32GB DDR4	2.5" SATA + 2x M.2 2242/2280	USB 3.1 Gen1/Gen2 + USB-C	HDMI + DP	1Gbit	spec sheet

* can be modded with additional M.2 SATA slot
** can be modded with additional M.2 NVME slot

Common CPU configurations

CPU	Cores	Threads	Why
i5-8500T	6	6	best value / very common
i5-8400T	6	6	cheaper alternative
i7-8700T	6	12	highest performance in class
i5-9500T	6	6	newer stepping, stable
i5-9600T	6	6	slightly higher boost
i7-9700T	8	8	8 cores for heavy workloads
i3-8100	4	4	low core count, not worth it
i3-9100	4	4	weak for multi-tasking
Celeron / Pentium (G49xx, G54xx)	2	2–4	too slow for most homelab use

Reviews/info

Image	Name
	ServeTheHome: Lenovo ThinkStation P330 Tiny Review
	ServeTheHome: Lenovo ThinkCentre M920 and M920q Tiny Guide and Review
	ServeTheHome: Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny Compact PC Review
	ServeTheHome Forum: Lenovo Thinkcentre/ThinkStation Tiny (Project TinyMiniMicro) Reference Thread
	Youtube: Lenovo ThinkCentre M920Q Tiny - Teardown and Upgrade SSD, RAM, CPU in 4K

Mods/upgrades

M920q extra M.2 nvme

M720q extra M.2 sata mod

PCIE Risers

Name	Extra Features	Purchase link	License
Lenovo style riser		Aliexpress	Official
Tinyriser	M.2 NVME slot (Vertical) not for SATA drives	Tindie	Open source
LenovoTiny5PcieCard	4x M.2 NVME slot* not for SATA drives	Taobao	Closed source
PowerRiser	M.2 NVME slot (Horizontal) not for SATA drives	Tindie	Open source

* Requires custom BIOS, and hardware beyond the riser

2.5G Network Interface

You can replace the M.2 Wifi card for 2.5G Ethernet

Image	Name
	Industrial Grade M.2 A and E Intel i226V Customized 2.5G Ethernet Server NIC
	M2 E A Key Karte 2.5 Gigabit RJ45 LAN ETHERNET 1G 2.5G Intel I226 SRKTV

PCIE cards

To be able to add a pcie card you will need a PCIE expansion riser card.

The following cards have been reported to fit these machines

Networking

Name	Purpose	Notes
Mellanox ConnectX-3	(single/dual) 10Gbit SFP+, 40Gbit QSFP+, InfiniBand 56Gbit	Sold under many brands, different products have different capabilities, ConnectX4 is preferred since it allows for lower c-states saving power
Mellanox ConnectX-4	(single/dual) 10Gbit SFP+, 25Gbit SFP28, 40Gbit QSFP+, 50Gbit QSFP28, 100G QSFP28, InfiniBand 100Gbit	Sold under many brands, different products have different capabilities, great models for 25Gbit are CX4121C/CX4121A
Intel X550	2x 10Gbit Ethernet	The ethernet 10Gbit might run too hot without an added fan
Intel X520	2x 10Gbit SFP+
Intel X710	2x 10Gbit SFP+
Thunderbolt Card	40 Gbit thunderbolt
Intel i350-AM4	4x Gbit ethernet
Fujitsu D2755-A11	2x 10Gbit SFP+

Storage

Image	Name	Purpose	Notes
	Dell PERC H200	2x SAS (6Gbps)	Can be broken out into 2x 4 Sata with a breakout cable
	TISHRIC ASM1166	6x SATA (6Gbps)

GPUs

Image	Name	Purpose	Notes
	Quadro K1200	4GB VRAM GPU
	RTX A2000	12GB VRAM GPU
	NVIDIA T600/1000	4GB/8GB VRAM

Other

Image	Name	Purpose	Notes
	Oculink Card	Oculink SFF 8612 interfaces through a PCIe x8 slot

3D printed mounts

Rack mounts

Image	Name
	Improved Thinkcentre Tiny 1U Rack
	Mini PC server case rack
	Lenovo Tiny Vertical Holder for DeskPi 10" rack
	ThinkCentre Tiny Tower (v2)
	OpenRack 1U - Lenovo ThinkCentre M720
	ThinkCentre Tiny 10" Rack Mount
	thinkcentre 10 inch rackmount