Hello smoothbrain here, I have been looking for a semi modern router/AP for very basic needs to replace my abhorrent ISP-provided modem/router but with the intention of keeping my new network setting relatively scalable. I've been aware of a thing called "x86 routers" and I wonder how feasible would it be for a noob like me to try "building my own router" from the get-go without starting with simpler stuff like custom firmware routers (ddwrt, openwrt, etc)

I have not looked at a specific list of components but from what I understand I would need at the minimum
>a decent x86 computer, old Optiplexes with 2nd gen i3's seem ideal
>at least one free pcie slot where I would add 1 gigabit NIC with at least one port, the computer already includes one Ethernet port in the motherboard + this one makes the bare minimum for WAN - LAN, am I right here or am I missing something else (like some rule or limitation from the mobo NIC)?
I thought that I could get it some pcie wifi card (without regarding speed or wifi generation) that could act as "wireless access point" but it seems they are very rare and incredibly expensive.

So what would be the best way to add a wireless AP here? reddit mentioned another router with proper AP mode, then how would you go around connecting this to the computer? Another NIC pcie card? Or could I just use a cheap switch and use the existing LAN NIC interface I just added?

Please bear with my stupidity, I'm just trying to get an idea of how this could work and the costs involved. Anything else I should be aware of? reddit says that pcie NICs with Intel chipsets are preferred, there's a lot of cheap TP-Link gigabit NIC cards around, can you use those or is there also a "host - client" distinction like there is with wireless APs?

All help appreciated, I want to complete this project no later than November. I made no mention of speeds because I'm sure gigabit speed is more than enough for my current needs (lrn2networks) and low # of clients (5 lmao)