Does Thinvent Support pfSense on Intel Processors?
pfSense runs on any 64-bit x86 CPU. The Netgate minimum is a 64-bit CPU, 1 GB of RAM, an 8 GB disk and one supported network interface. The J4125 is an Intel Celeron processor from the Gemini Lake family, with 4 cores and a base clock of 2.0 GHz, and it is a common choice for small pfSense firewalls. The Thinvent range does not include the J4125. Thinvent's closest alternatives are the Treo Mini PC with the Intel N5095A, a 4-core Celeron with a 2.9 GHz maximum frequency and 4 MB cache, and the Industrial PCs with 12th Gen Intel Core processors.
Key Specifications for pfSense Hardware
pfSense workloads depend mainly on single-thread CPU speed, RAM and network interfaces. Storage needs are small: the minimum disk is 8 GB. Memory matters more as the firewall takes on extra work. The documentation notes that some configurations need 2 GB or more of RAM, not counting the RAM used by the operating system and firewall states. Packages such as Suricata and pfBlockerNG add to this load.
| Thinvent Model | Processor | Cores | Max Frequency | Cache | RAM | Storage | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treo Mini PC | Intel N5095A | 4 | 2.9 GHz | 4 MB | 4 GB | 128 GB SSD | Ubuntu Linux |
| Aero Mini PC | Intel Core i3-1215U | 6 | 4.4 GHz | 10 MB | 8 GB | 256 GB SSD | Windows 11 Pro |
| Industrial PC IPC3 | Intel Core i3-1215U | 6 | 4.4 GHz | 10 MB | 8 GB | 256 GB SSD | Ubuntu Linux |
| Industrial PC IPC5 | Intel Core i5-1240P | 12 | 4.4 GHz | 12 MB | 16 GB | 512 GB SSD | Windows 11 IoT Value |
| Industrial PC IPC5 | Intel Core i7-1255U | 10 | 4.7 GHz | 12 MB | 16 GB | 512 GB SSD | Windows 11 Pro |
Choosing a Thinvent Model for pfSense
For a basic router with light traffic, the Treo Mini PC with the N5095A meets the minimum requirements in this list. For routing with several packages, or for VPN and intrusion detection, the Industrial PC IPC5 with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P or i7-1255U has more cores and faster single-thread speed. The Dual LAN models of the IPC5 provide two network ports, which suits a WAN and LAN setup.
Thinvent Industrial and Mini PCs for pfSense
Thinvent builds industrial PCs, mini PCs, thin clients and all-in-one PCs for global customers. The products listed above, including the Industrial PC IPC5, Industrial PC IPC3, Aero Mini PC and Treo Mini PC, are options for pfSense firewall and router deployments.
