Gigabit connection w/ multiple servers?

[Toucan]

Hey guys,

I've been doing a lot of reading/planning/specing for a new connection and would love some input.

I'm going to be getting a 1000/500 connection in the next couple of months and am currently using a Netgear R7000 Nighthawk which I bought ages ago. Works fine for home use, but with a fast enough connection I plan to bring a lot of my cloud servers back down and in house. I'd like to buy something now though so I can set it up and have it ready for when the new connection goes live.

I'd like something that isn't going to choke if there are multiple servers (web, game, voice, etc) running behind it and won't struggle to actually push 1000/500.

I plan to run at least 2 VPN connections, possibly 3, so AES-NI is probably required. As is Intel based NICs.

I've looked at a few options. Building a Mini-ITX/Micro-ATX machine, buying something small form factor (Zotac?), or some of the "purpose built" QOTOM boxes (which are my favorite at the moment).

Can anyone with a similar connection and similar use give me some advice?

The QOTOM box seems to be the best bet at the moment. A lot of reviews (including some on here) seem to suggest it can handle a gigabit connection without much fuss. The 1.6Ghz (i5 version) worries me a little though. Can OPNsense make use of all the cores or is single core speed more useful?

Cheers,
- Toucan

EDIT: There is another thread already going about the same boxes. D'oh.