mini ITX motherboard with multiple NICs supporting newer Intel chips with AES

[imthenachoman]

I searched and found a few posts on the topic but most look rather old with dead links.

I want to build a mini ITX pfSense server. I want something with a powerful Intel chip cause I need it to be able to push 500 Mbps (although 1 Gb would be better).

Obviously it needs at least 2 LAN ports but 4+ would be better cause then I can make it my router. Maybe something with expansion slots. And hoping to put all of this in a mini/slim case, if possible.

It's been a while since I'been in the build-a-PC-game so not sure what's good these days. Would love any advice/input.

And I don't have physical space for a rack mount setup or I would do that.

[tman222]

Hi @imthenachoman -

I'm sure you'll get a lot of different suggestions, but here's one possibility - I put something similar together recently (although it was not for pfSense):

CPU - Intel i3-8100:
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-8th-Core-i3-8100-Processor/dp/B0759FTRZL/

Motherboard - ASUS Prime H310I-PLUS CSM:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKNLYQH

NIC - Intel i340-T4
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Ethernet-Server-Adapter-system/dp/B003M772KE/

Case:
https://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Mini-ITX-Center-Computer-Aluminum/dp/B00HJOK6F4/

This includes a pretty speedy (high clock speed) quad core CPU and mini-ITX board combined with a fairly recent Intel quad port NIC. This should have no problem passing 1Gbit (though not over OpenVPN). Of course don't have to use this particular case, was just an example of what's out there for mini-ITX.

Hope this helps.

[imthenachoman]

This is great. Thank you so much!