Smallest recommended Atom CPU for gigabit WAN?
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I'm expecting to get 1gbit fiber within the next 6 months or so, and I need some hardware that can handle that kind of throughput.
I prioritize low power consumption and ITX size - so pretty much a SOC motherboard with an Atom CPU. But not wanting to over-spend - which Atom CPU will be enough for gigabit WAN with 2-4 users?
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This. I live in an apartment bymyself with a centurylink gig service.
Currently I have an i5 2500k - 16gb ram - 120gb SSD running PFsense but it seems overkill to me.
I saw the 8 core atom build but I'm wondering if that's overkill also. -
People overstate the power consumption of modern desktop chips. Yes, when running full out they consume 60-80W but most of the time they're idling.
My server idles at 42W at the plug, and it's using an i7-4790, with an i350-T4 and an LSI 9211-8T, with 32 gig of ram and a slew of slow blow fans. Even with Suricata/pfsense hitting 100mbit and running two other VMs
An Atom will shave another 5-10W of power off that, at the expense of a huge amount of computing power (which I use for VMs).
What I'm getting at is that it will be cheaper getting a modern i3 setup for pfsense than an Atom c2558 type chip, and it will be upgradable where the atom will not. The breakeven of a 10W difference in power costs vs the difference in price between an Atom and an i3 (or a secondhand i5) would be in the order of 10 years.
That is, unless you desperately want quickassist (and in the home, there is no need for it)
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I'm expecting to get 1gbit fiber within the next 6 months or so, and I need some hardware that can handle that kind of throughput.
Intel Celeron G3260T @3,2GHz & 2 GB - 4 GB RAM & Intel Dual or Quad Port NIC on a mini ITX board
I prioritize low power consumption and ITX size
pfSense store SG-xxxx units or the Supermicro C2x58 would be sufficient.
- so pretty much a SOC motherboard with an Atom CPU.
Intel C2558 or C2758 would do then the job at the best for you with some headroom.
But not wanting to over-spend - which Atom CPU will be enough for gigabit WAN with 2-4 users?
PC Engines APU 1D4 board if nothing comes on top of this could do this job also.
SG-2440 or 4860 or 8860
Supermicro Intel Atom C2x58
Both with much headroom upstairs and really powerful.Jetway 4 Intel GB LAN Ports ready to go
Jetway 5 Intel GB LAN Ports ready to go -
if the old 2500k works, keep using it
otherwise, only the 8 core atom will hold a candle near it
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I have gigabit fiber coming into my place, and then pfSense running on an APU 1D4 board, and I get a maximum of 330mbps throughput. I think the APU is the bottleneck. I have a high-speed gigabit switch and I'm using CAT6 everywhere in the house.
So I'm guessing 1D4 WON'T cut it as previously suggested. But now I'm wondering what I should replace my pfSense box with… cheaply and silently. :)