Athlon 200GE is chosen for two reasons: 1. Its capability for overclocking at this price. 2. My goal is to build a fast enough OpenVPN server, this application currently runs only single-threaded, so I just need a high core clock CPU.MB:
The CPU I got seems to be a bit of a lemon, overclocking only to 3.7 GHz with 1.38V needed. 3.8 GHz will need quite a bit higher voltage which I don't think is worth it. Now I am still stress testing with Prime95, it runs at max @ 81C, a bit higher than what I expected given I am using Noctua cooler, but this is due to a lack of exhaust fans in this small chassis. With the PC case open the temp can drop to 65C max.
TIL mATX form factor actually has two sizes: 24x21.5 and 24x24. The chassis CEMO M1 supports only the former, so I picked this board out of the few available options for its seemingly better VRM.Memory:
This is my second MSI board since my very second PC back in 2003. So far I found the BIOS pretty reasonable and I haven't run into much troubles installing Windows. Will need to test Linux (for router) later.
16 GB is an overkill for a router, where 4 GB served me very well already. But I got this on a discount, and RAM is very repurpose-able so I guess it's fine to invest a bit more. If one wants to cut the budget, a single strip of 4 GB can be used.Storage:
The storage size can be much smaller (I used to use a 4 GB USB thumb drive to run my pfsense router). If you keep logs, then larger disk is favorable. $39.99 CAD for a 128 GB NVMe drive (though PCI-E x2) I think this is a fine option.Case:
The case is 100mm*250mm*315mm, which makes it a bit fatter than node 202 but then quite a bit shorter. No screw holes for exhaust fans, but 1-2 can be mounted with suitable screws on the chassis over the array of holes.Power supply
This is a second aluminum case I got other than those from Lian-Li. From my search, there aren't many full aluminum chassis which are thin but also support PCI-E cards. While I found a few imperfect finishing here and there, in general the appearance is fine. The PCI-E alignment to the motherboard is off a bit, but it didn't seem to flex the PCI-E card too much. Finally, reading from some Chinese reviews they said the case's aluminum was too thin, I bet they have never tried to build with Lian-Li's which is only worse; this case is very study comparing to Lian-Li's imho. The horizontal bars makes it quite bit stabler.
It supports low profile only so unfortunately it won't work for most GPU-oriented builds, plus the use of a short flex PSU (1U) limits its highest deliverable power, but still it is more than adequate for a router or an iGPU only personal computer.
This is one of the better 1U PSU with a length < 150mm. Being 300W max it is sufficient if an external GPU isnt't used. However, while my parts won't trigger it, this PSU (or these PSUs in general) can run very loud on higher load, due to the need of using a small fan which must spin fast.External NIC
FSP has a few more options giving higher power though being more expensive. At the end my experience with Seasonic biased me, I also don't see how I can use more than 300W for the router.
Idle power is 27W, and with CPU running Prime-95 it blows up to 72W. Not exactly a environmental friendly build but then my workstation is only worse.
This is one of the newer Intel quad port NIC which comes with those bells and whistlers for running in a virtualized environment.
Finally, my solution towards the unavailability of internal Intel NICs is I give up and get an Intel NIC. This actually spent me a good while to look up. Basically, new ones are always available as retail unit, but in general they are priced pretty high. Meanwhile, used or "new pull" are available on eBay from different seller at pretty low price, and basically work just as well. Though, you need to be aware when getting an Intel NIC nowadays, a lot of Chinese OEM Intel NICs are being sold on eBay without any signs distinguishing themselves from the genuine Intel boards. They might work fine, and they might not. If you can buy an used card at a similar price, that will be a better option imho.
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