Build is being modified.
- CPU Cooler
- Chassis Fan
- Removed a PCI-E Extender
Stay Tune for Update. Deliveries expected by Saturday.
Objective: To find a better solution to handle my WideOpenWest Gigabit (1000 Down/50 Up) connection with the following features without setup hassles than my USG:
- OpenVPN Hosting
- DuckDNS
- VLANs
- Ad Blocking
- Traffic Logging
I originally started out looking for a 2U chassis to use with my Gigabit GA-7TESM serverboard that’s currently sitting in a box doing nothing, but my search of 2U chassis immediately resulted in chassis costs that didn’t justify the project, so I started the search for a 1U solution.
Using JDM’s Mini-ITX pfSense guide, I got started building my 1U firewall. Though the push is to either build in/on a SFF Case/Test Bench I wanted it to be rack mountable so it could join the other toys in my new “OverRunner Rack” COZisBack's OverRunner Rack [WIP] instead of sitting on a shelf.
Going 1U did bring on a challenge. The chassis I selected had very little clearance to fit the Titan CPU cooler and I immediately ran into an issue figuring out how I was going to connect the PCI-E Intel Quad Port NIC. The Intel PRO/VT1000 manual states that a PCI-E x4 slot is required for proper functionality. If you start a search on Amazon for x4 extension cable you’re going to find results of a bunch of junk or severly overpriced cables, so stepping up to a x16 cable was my first thoughts. I found a quality cable, but it was so nice that it didn’t fit. So I went back the chassis page on Amazon and started reading what people were using as a solution. I found a guy that was using a PCI-E riser (straight) and a 90 degree PCI-E riser. After searching through Amazon I was able to find parts to mirror his setup.
To be continued…
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel i5-3470T 3rd Gen 2.9GHz 2-Core/4-Thread Processor | $30.99 @ ebay (goodpointrecycling) |
| Motherboard | Intel DQ77KB LGA1155/Socket H2 Mini ITX Motherboard w/ IO Shield | $46.75 @ ebay (columbusmicrosystems) |
| CPU Cooler | Titan DC-155A915Z/RPW 95mm Z-AXIS Low Profile CPU Cooler | $15.58 @ Amazon |
| RAM | Samsung M471B5773DH0-CH9 4GB 2x2GB 1Rx8 PC3-10600 DDR3-1333MHz 204PIN SODIMM | $5.95 @ ebay (supremeclaritysystems) |
| SSD | TCSUNBOW mSATA3 Mini PCIe 60GB 6.0GB/s SSD | $18.99 @ Amazon |
| Quad Port Card | Dell YT674 H092P HM9JY D99232 PRO/1000VT Quad Port Gigabit Server Card FP | $15.00 @ ebay (roft2c) |
| PCIe Riser | GODSHARK PCI-E 164 pin Slot PCI-Express 16X Riser Card | $7.99 @ Amazon |
| 90° PCIe Riser | Tanbin PCI-Express 16x Riser Card 90 Degree Right Angle Riser Adapter Card | $7.99 @ Amazon |
| Case | iStarUSA D Value D-118V2-ITX 1U Rackmount Mini-ITX Server Chassis (Black) | $38.68 @ Amazon |
| Power Supply | HP 677777-003 90-Watts 19V 4.74A AC Power Adapter | $Free.99 |
| Total | $187.92 |
Temps Update From BIOS
CPU Fan Speed: 1041 RPM
- CPU Temp: 74°C
- PCH Temp: 70°C
- RAM Temp: 53°C
- VR Temp: 54°C
