Required router components needed.
Required router components needed.
Planning to create a router for private internet access VPN at 1Gbps using PF-Sense? I’m interested in a parts list from the community. A budget of around $500 works, and I’d prefer a mini ITX or smaller size. Choosing this path over a ready-made PIA router gives flexibility to use it later as a storage server.
Look for a processor with AES-NI capability. An Intel "Q" based chipset works well, and support for Intel AMT enables remote access via VPro. Haswell remains a solid choice for used machines. If you're okay with a single Gig-E, eBay offers Lenovo M73 models with Intel i5-4570T CPUs, Q87 chipsets, and compatible RAM for $120–$150.
The 55-60$ Athlon 200GE (2 cores, 4 threads) works well with AES-NI and delivers solid speed. From a brute force standpoint, it matches the recommended i5-4570T in performance. Pair it with 8 GB RAM, an A320/B350/B450 ITX motherboard, and a M.2 SSD (or SATA if you prefer more cables), and you’ll have a functional server setup. Even if performance falls short, you can still upgrade to more powerful components.