@rado3105: It also depends on what you're trying to archive. I will never use crappy built-in network interfaces. Something like Intel I350-T4 is a reasonable minimum for high availability, but that entry-level card costs like $150 alone.
I had DIY server-router on Linux for circa 3 years - it was horrible experience

I also used x86 as edge-router for some time - it was a pain. After switching to CCR you could almost forget you have a router.
Just curious, what was that "pain" ?
I just packed up Celeron dual cpu, socket 1150, x86 system, integrated lan + 3 pci-e lan + 3 pci lan
which takes 500+ mbps input traffic, with firewall, queues, and cpu 10-20%,
so what is the pain ?
except those pci lan cards, which a bit hogs up the cpu, everything else works cool n' quiet.
b.r.