Is this a good device for Opnsense?

[RouterGuy2019]

I am just wondering if anyone has used this device or has an opinion on this device, as to weather it is a good device for Opnsense?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807641761893.html

[meyergru]

Not that specific model, but generally, those N100 boxes are nice.

This specific offering has two red flags for me, though:

1. It contradicts itself in saying once the box has 2 NICs and once it has 4.
2. Those boxes are better (and often also more expensive) in a larger case with big cooling fins if they are passively cooled. This one looks like it was designed for a cooler, but seems to have none...

You should go and view some YT videos by ServeTheHome on the topic.

[RouterGuy2019]

Is something like this better?

https://www.amazon.com/MOGINSOK-Firewall-Appliance-Computer-OPNsense/dp/B0CY8FLFVR

[meyergru]

I have not tested thus many variants, as I said, you can see many of those things on ServeTheHome's YT channel.
The one case I remember specifically as being "good" in his videos was this: https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B0CW1BXZHK (although that is a 6-port model).

These things are sold under different brand names, on Aliexpress, Topton and Kingnovy dominate the scene.

[passeri]

I have some of these boxes, for different purposes. I strongly endorse searching carefully for the best quality heatsinking in these passively cooled machines. My 4 port Hunsn (another CWWK box) is the size of a 6-port, with more space taken by cooling metal and fins.

[AhnHEL]

A Lenovo M920q is about $140.  Add the PCIE16 Riser Card 01AJ940 with baffle for $35 and attach that to a Intel i350-t2 or t4 and you'll have something much better and dependable than those Aliexpress boxes in my opinion.


https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/lenovo-thinkcentre-thinkstation-tiny-project-tinyminimicro-reference-thread.34925/

[meyergru]

Well, yes: Sipping double the power 24/7, actively cooled (which will give you months of trouble-free operation), at comparable performance to an N100 box and needing an add-on card for additional NICs (onboard is 1 GBit instead of 2.5 GBit, BTW).

[Seimus]

I am just wondering if anyone has used this device or has an opinion on this device, as to weather it is a good device for Opnsense?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807641761893.html

This looks fishy, avoid it.

I usually buy/recommend - N100 i226 noRAm no Storage
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804173757529.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.promoteWysiwyg_502209384.1005004360072281&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Delivery is usually within two weeks. A pal from my bought exactly this one it came like in 7-10days

And buy RAM and storage locally which I recommend using
RAM :
Crucial SO-DIMM 16GB DDR5 4800MHz CL40  (CT16G48C40S5 )

Storage:
Lexar SSD NM790 512GB ( LNM790X512G-RNNNG)
Samsung 980 500GB ( MZ-V8V500BW)

NVME heat-sink:
AXAGON CLR-M2 ALU

However is crucial to keep few things in mind.
A. Quality of the cooling solution may vary, but luckily usually temp issue can be fixed just by re-pasting the heat-sink and CPU
B. There is literary no BIOS support. The only company that provides BIOS is CWWK, so if you can get a device from them there is a high chance you will find a BIOS for upgrade on their official pages.

Regards,
S.

[meyergru]

Objection on one account, your honour. That case is not well-suited. I had it and re-applying better heat paste does not fully compensate for the small fin surface it has. There are other case options which will catch your eye if you look at size / fin surface. Not surprisingly, they are more expensive.

Many vendors offer several case options with roughly the same hardware build into it.

[Seimus]

Yop and that's why I said "usually".

The fins are not the only problem, lot of time there is a GAP between the CPU and the heat-sink itself, basically bad contact that causes bad temps.

Sadly even if you see a picture on the seller site, its not 100% guaranteed you will get the device visually reflecting the pics.

I did as well forgot to mention. NVME you need such drive that can keep temps lower, if that's even possible... Because those in these chassis even in the bigger ones tent to have pretty high temps. I have the smaller N100 chassis (I think it was the 1st iteration) and all my NVMEs have extra heat-sinks.
AXAGON CLR-M2 ALU

Preferable as you said its better to get a unit with larger/taller fins/chassis.

Regards,
S.

[vicking]

A Lenovo M920q is about $140.  Add the PCIE16 Riser Card 01AJ940 with baffle for $35 and attach that to a Intel i350-t2 or t4 and you'll have something much better and dependable than those Aliexpress boxes in my opinion.


https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/lenovo-thinkcentre-thinkstation-tiny-project-tinyminimicro-reference-thread.34925/

Exactly this! Been Using a m720q with a 9100T, 16gb ram and Intel i350-AM2 SFP card directly connected to my AON and it has been rock solid!
Consumption is 11w idle which is almost the same as those n100 boxes which most of them have non optimized BIOS or even are unable to tweak them because of pore architecture...

[bimbar]

A Lenovo M920q is about $140.  Add the PCIE16 Riser Card 01AJ940 with baffle for $35 and attach that to a Intel i350-t2 or t4 and you'll have something much better and dependable than those Aliexpress boxes in my opinion.


https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/lenovo-thinkcentre-thinkstation-tiny-project-tinyminimicro-reference-thread.34925/

Exactly this! Been Using a m720q with a 9100T, 16gb ram and Intel i350-AM2 SFP card directly connected to my AON and it has been rock solid!
Consumption is 11w idle which is almost the same as those n100 boxes which most of them have non optimized BIOS or even are unable to tweak them because of pore architecture...

Intel 9100T: 35WTDP
Intel 8500T: 35W TDP
Intel N100: 6W TDP

I use a Beelink EQ12 as router at the moment.

[vicking]

A Lenovo M920q is about $140.  Add the PCIE16 Riser Card 01AJ940 with baffle for $35 and attach that to a Intel i350-t2 or t4 and you'll have something much better and dependable than those Aliexpress boxes in my opinion.


https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/lenovo-thinkcentre-thinkstation-tiny-project-tinyminimicro-reference-thread.34925/

Exactly this! Been Using a m720q with a 9100T, 16gb ram and Intel i350-AM2 SFP card directly connected to my AON and it has been rock solid!
Consumption is 11w idle which is almost the same as those n100 boxes which most of them have non optimized BIOS or even are unable to tweak them because of pore architecture...

Intel 9100T: 35WTDP
Intel 8500T: 35W TDP
Intel N100: 6W TDP

I use a Beelink EQ12 as router at the moment.

TDP has nothing to do with idle power consumption, just the max it can pull.
I get a 11w idle with the whole machine up and running and a 9100t, the n100 will not do much better in those boxes despite it's 6w TDP ;)