newer fanless PC (coffee lake?)
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Hi,
I'm looking for a fanless PC to install and run pfsense. I can't seem to find anything newer than kaby lake. Qotom as an example doesn't have any i3 newer than the 7100U, at least that I can find. Similar for Protectli. Intel lists the processor as Q3'16 launch, 4 years ago.
Are there newer fanless PCs out there that are a good candidate for pfsense?
Thanks.
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@justsomeguy said in newer fanless PC (coffee lake?):
Hi,
I'm looking for a fanless PC to install and run pfsense. I can't seem to find anything newer than kaby lake. Qotom as an example doesn't have any i3 newer than the 7100U, at least that I can find. Similar for Protectli. Intel lists the processor as Q3'16 launch, 4 years ago.
Are there newer fanless PCs out there that are a good candidate for pfsense?
Thanks.
Take a look at Intel's Nuc ... you can add the processor of your dream.
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The APU2 is working great for my home needs. I think it would be sufficient for a small office as well. It depends on your requirements. Official Netgate hardware not an option?
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@NollipfSense Right, NUC with an akasa fanless case mod
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I didn't think the NUCs were fanless. When I had looked before the dual nic ones were fairly expensive and then only limited to 2 nics. I've used similar boxes for other applications like lightweight server or HTPC; I think they are great for that. I'll take a closer look.
I also looked at the APU2, but I think that's a similar story, the processor was released in 2014.
I have used the SG-1000 in the past and did look at the netgate offerings, but i'm looking for something more cost effective at this point... it's just home use.
I'll take a look at akasa as well.
Someone else pointed me to XCY available on aliexpress with some coffee lake mobile i3's and 6 intel nics.
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@justsomeguy It's older tech, like you said, but I was just pricing some APU boxes today. Are you in the States or somewhere else?
APU2e4 = $115
Metal Case = $10
Power Adapter = $4.40
16GB MSATA Drive = $14.50So, total of around $144, that's kinda hard to beat...
Here's some recent talk about some APU stuff over at Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/PFSENSE/comments/il7hvp/pc_engines_apu4d4_throughput/Jeff
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@justsomeguy said in newer fanless PC (coffee lake?):
I also looked at the APU2, but I think that's a similar story, the processor was released in 2014.
Don't judge the APU2 boxes by the CPU age, or any of the alternatives for that matter. pfSense does not require the latest and greatest CPU. My original pfSense build was running a 10 year old i5 and wasn't even breaking a sweat. I guess I can understand wanting the latest for power saving, processing and longer term life of the box, but I don't think that is necessary to apply here. Going with hardware that has been proven by many, many, many users is far more important than trying to find the latest hardware which very few are running. Look up APU2 on these forums and others you will see many people happy with them. If needed, you'll have an easier time getting help because many people on these forums are running them. Also agree with @akuma1x, hard to beat that price. For the home build it is almost a no brainer. The aliexpress stuff is coming straight from China. Personally, thanks but no thanks. The APU stuff is coming from Switzerland and is made in Taiwan. I trust Taiwan's products over China any day.
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I agree with others here, unless you have need for more muscle/memory, running multiple packages, VPN, PFBlocker, many users, proxy... one of those small APU2 boxes beats out the typical Belkin, Linksys Netgear home router. I had built up a mini ITX build with 8gigs ram and a Kaby 7320 I3 and it was waaayy overkill. Ended up virtualizing it on my server where it runs just as well with a fraction of that I3's processor. And I do use the VPN, PFBLOCKER and SNORT. If you think you need more than an APU2, I did buy my sister one of those Qotom 7200 I5 boxes and it's mighty nice and plenty of muscle for running packages like PFBlocker.
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https://silentpc.com/fanless-pcs
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@Cool_Corona said in newer fanless PC (coffee lake?):
https://silentpc.com/fanless-pcs
That is pretty cool stuff. Expensive, but they look like good options for many applications.
