Reuse Celeron Core2Duo or start over
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I'd like to build up a pfsense system. My WAN is 55/10, but I'd like to tinker with pfsense, and have the flexibility to add some packages. So I think I need something more than an Atom.
I have an E7400 Celeron (2.80Ghz, LGA775) laying around. I was thinking of finding a refurbished Intel DG45FC. It would certainly be cheaper than something like an Intel DQ77KB. Am I missing something by going with an old motherboard and processor? I couldn't find any power consumption figures on the Celeron/DG45FC, but I can't imagine it's that much worse than newer gear.
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Am I missing something by going with an old motherboard and processor?
Not at all. FreeBSD is more likely to work on older hardware than newer hardware. pfSense 2.0.3 is based on FreeBSD 8.1 and snapshot builds of pfSense 2.1 are based on FreeBSD 8.3 which was released about two years ago. Newer hardware is more likely to have chips that weren't generally in motherboards or expansion cards at the time FreeBSD 8.3 (or FreeBSD 8.1) was being tested before release.
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Thanks. That's good to know. I won't start for a few weeks yet, but it's interesting how much harder things are to find when you don't use current tech. "The long forgotten LGA775." :)