proxy servers and routers

anyone here use a proxy server to access the internet? or do you, like most people, use a router? i have been thinking of setting up a squid proxy server in my home. i like the idea of caching things like windows updates, games, and so on (reason for why i want 12tb )

but again, what is your experience with the two? do you use both? why?

I have not set up a proxy at home. I just use a basic consumer grade router. Years ago I looked into setting up a squid server. Back in dial-up days. The idea was to have it download items at night to speed up browsing during the day. Never got it done.

I lost interest in the idea because my internet connection is fast enough that I don't care. I may play around with getting updates through my 2008 SBS but again, I have enough bandwidth that its hard to get motivated to do it.

The squid server could be useful if you have limited bandwidth or data caps. I can see only downloading updates once on the network in those cases.

idk if squid is going to chache things like games. i do know alot of people have setup nginx reverse proxies specifically setup to capture steam / game files. anyone happen to know if squid would catch it?