Hardware for new build
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Go for the i3.
Agreed. The 3215U doesn't have AES-NI either. The i3 will simply be faster and have longer legs than the Celeron. The NIC can be cheap; just look for older server class NICS; can be had for ~$40 for a quad port, if you really need 4 ports. 2 port Intel server NICs are around ~$20 on Amazon or Ebay. It would probably take you years to make back the $ you spend on a new low power box based on power savings alone. The best hardware, IMO, is what you already have, provided it will get the job done, and yours will.
Yea, this is probabably true.
I guess my only worry is, is a "low power" sandy bridge i3 fast enough to do lots of fun stuff? I assume it has to be. I have read people deploying Pfsense of c2d e8200's or 6600's which this chip should run circles around. Just not sure if it will have the legs to do more than just the basics on a 200/20 connection. Any idea?
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I guess my only worry is, is a "low power" sandy bridge i3 fast enough to do lots of fun stuff? I assume it has to be. I have read people deploying Pfsense of c2d e8200's or 6600's which this chip should run circles around. Just not sure if it will have the legs to do more than just the basics on a 200/20 connection. Any idea?
I think you'll be just fine. FWIW I'm running a 150/10 connection on a very slow Sempron 2650 (dual 1.45GHz) with a dual Intel NIC and it handles the connection just fine; only place it falls down is with VPN, and even then it's not too bad.
I'll put it this way: if you're starting out with pfSense with that hardware and a 200/20 connection you'll be able to do pretty much anything. The only place it might slow you down a bit is with VPN, but topping 200Mbps there takes some serious CPU power; more than you'll get out of any appliance anywhere near the price range to get your current hardware up and running. Build on what you have, get a used server NIC, and have fun.
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I guess my only worry is, is a "low power" sandy bridge i3 fast enough to do lots of fun stuff? I assume it has to be. I have read people deploying Pfsense of c2d e8200's or 6600's which this chip should run circles around. Just not sure if it will have the legs to do more than just the basics on a 200/20 connection. Any idea?
I think you'll be just fine. FWIW I'm running a 150/10 connection on a very slow Sempron 2650 (dual 1.45GHz) with a dual Intel NIC and it handles the connection just fine; only place it falls down is with VPN, and even then it's not too bad.
I'll put it this way: if you're starting out with pfSense with that hardware and a 200/20 connection you'll be able to do pretty much anything. The only place it might slow you down a bit is with VPN, but topping 200Mbps there takes some serious CPU power; more than you'll get out of any appliance anywhere near the price range to get your current hardware up and running. Build on what you have, get a used server NIC, and have fun.
Yea, actually looks like I had the i3's number wrong, but after looking up the correct chip, it has about the same passmark score as a q6600. Sure, they are very dofferent chips but I guess being on par with a q6600 should mean it really should have plenty of power for average Pfsense use.
Thanks!
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Yea, actually looks like I had the i3's number wrong, but after looking up the correct chip, it has about the same passmark score as a q6600. Sure, they are very dofferent chips but I guess being on par with a q6600 should mean it really should have plenty of power for average Pfsense use.
Thanks!
What's the i3 model number? Out of curiosity.
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Yea, actually looks like I had the i3's number wrong, but after looking up the correct chip, it has about the same passmark score as a q6600. Sure, they are very dofferent chips but I guess being on par with a q6600 should mean it really should have plenty of power for average Pfsense use.
Thanks!
What's the i3 model number? Out of curiosity.
It's a 2120t, http://ark.intel.com/m/products/53427/Intel-Core-i3-2120T-Processor-3M-Cache-2_60-GHz
I'm also about to buy the Nic, but I'm just afraid whatever I buy on Amazon is an imitation lol. So far this looks pretty much up my alley, HP NC364T PCIe 4Pt Gigabit Server Adptr https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P0NX3G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_g9FZxbX44EX30
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It's a 2120t, http://ark.intel.com/m/products/53427/Intel-Core-i3-2120T-Processor-3M-Cache-2_60-GHz
I'm also about to buy the Nic, but I'm just afraid whatever I buy on Amazon is an imitation lol. So far this looks pretty much up my alley, HP NC364T PCIe 4Pt Gigabit Server Adptr https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P0NX3G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_g9FZxbX44EX30
That NC364T is exactly what you want. Cheap, but tried and true, uses a well supported Intel chipset and driver. The CPU will also be fine. Yeah, it's a little older, but who cares? It will handle your connection and more.
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It's a 2120t, http://ark.intel.com/m/products/53427/Intel-Core-i3-2120T-Processor-3M-Cache-2_60-GHz
I'm also about to buy the Nic, but I'm just afraid whatever I buy on Amazon is an imitation lol. So far this looks pretty much up my alley, HP NC364T PCIe 4Pt Gigabit Server Adptr https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P0NX3G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_g9FZxbX44EX30
That NC364T is exactly what you want. Cheap, but tried and true, uses a well supported Intel chipset and driver. The CPU will also be fine. Yeah, it's a little older, but who cares? It will handle your connection and more.
Yea. I actually purchased it as I typed that. I did see its on Intel Nic, looks like it is natively supported so should be just right!
And for 40 bucks, can't really complain! I'll have to look around if I have a PSU that will fit my case, if not I'll get a super small one in case I end up swapping to a more low profile itx case just cuz. Should be a fun little build!
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Yea. I actually purchased it as I typed that. I did see its on Intel Nic, looks like it is natively supported so should be just right!
And for 40 bucks, can't really complain! I'll have to look around if I have a PSU that will fit my case, if not I'll get a super small one in case I end up swapping to a more low profile itx case just cuz. Should be a fun little build!
Nice. I have the 2 port version of the same NIC and pfSense loves it. Enjoy your build! You're starting at a much higher point (hardware-wise) than I did. Hope you have fun tinkering with it.
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Yea. I actually purchased it as I typed that. I did see its on Intel Nic, looks like it is natively supported so should be just right!
And for 40 bucks, can't really complain! I'll have to look around if I have a PSU that will fit my case, if not I'll get a super small one in case I end up swapping to a more low profile itx case just cuz. Should be a fun little build!
Nice. I have the 2 port version of the same NIC and pfSense loves it. Enjoy your build! You're starting at a much higher point (hardware-wise) than I did. Hope you have fun tinkering with it.
Thanks!
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and if you ever have the need to increase the connection speed via VPN client, you might try the solution provided in this thread
https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=115992.msg652957#msg652957