OS for Multipurpose Workstation/Plex/Gaming Rig - Ryzen &VMs?

[Romeomium]

Currently on Windows 7 Ult. and will be building a new Rig with Ryzen. I use my computer for everything, and have decided it will be best for me (not best overall I know) to have a single multipurpose machine.

I use AutoCAD C3D, Office, & Outlook for work (when I'm not in the office). I do use Remote Desktop on occasion, but the lag is horrible, so I prefer to migrate files over and work locally. For Plex, I will be expanding my library and expect to have some 4K/265 content within the next 5 years. Everything local is able to direct play, but I heavily transcode when we go on vacation. (Damn Time Warner and limited 5mbps) I also occasionally game with the rig, and expect this to increase as my daughter gets older. I would say I average 5-10 hours/week max right now.

I will be using a 960 Evo nvme drive for the primary OS (and any VM's) and a 1TB SSD for programs/games. 4-5x 3.5" HDDs for media storage, and will be using ECC UDIMMs with Ryzen. I have decuded SnapRAID/Drivepool offers the best of all worlds for me to manage the media storage.

My questions are: What OS would be best to handle this? I have no experience with Win10, but it seems to have tons of bloat. Does the Enterprise version help with this? I really love Win7, but I won't be able to hold onto it for too much longer. With that in mind, does it make sense to install Linux, and run Windows inside a VM? This way, I could keep Win7 for now, and upgrade when Windows 10 doesn't suck? I should mentioned I have very limited experience with Linux, but I don't balk from learning new things. Also, with SnapRAID, I can use nearly any file system. NTFS makes sense for windows, but not for Linux. EXT4 or XFS would require a third party program to access in Windows.

Which Option makes sense?

 

[pendragon1]

you have no experience with it but you think it sucks(win10)?! try it, its fine. convert your 7 key and don't look back.




3, 2, 1....
here comes the hate...

 

[Romeomium]

you have no experience with it but you think it sucks(win10)?! try it, its fine. convert your 7 key and don't look back.

I know, I really shouldn't pass judgement until I try it first. Everyone hated Vista, but I never had a problem with it. 8 was bad, but 8.1 mostly solved those issues.

I have no problem tweaking things, and don't think I've ever used ANYTHING out of the box without some sort of modification.

 

[pendragon1]

then you and win10 should get along fine.
ps: I never had issue with any of the "problem" OSs. ME, vista, 8, etc, all worked fine for me.

 

[zero2dash]

I've started dual booting MATE and 7 Pro, and will run 7 Pro into the ground. The only thing I use it for is games that aren't available in MATE. I have no desire to reinstall 10 at home on any of my machines, because I don't need it.

I will say that Linux is a much better choice than it used to be, and I love Ubuntu MATE (out of the dozen or so distros I've tried). Obviously the best thing about Linux is choice and freedom. You can always run Linux as a host OS and then have a VirtualBox VM underneath with a 7 install and the apps that you can't get natively on Linux. For me, that selection has dwindled to nothing, because I've started using other apps and have basically switched my workflow; for instance, I no longer use Adobe products, and instead use Inkscape, GIMP, and Scribus, and actually prefer the 3 now to Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Steam gaming support on Linux has also increased exponentially; if you're curious, I would recommend using this site which will look up your Steam library based on your ID and tell you whether the game is available in Linux or not. (I found out about that site from this site.) I'm not sure about any CAD apps, but obviously LibreOffice is a very good MS Office replacement; there are a few email apps available but I can't say they'll work as good (for an Exchange environment, at least) as Outlook. Remote Desktop, you can use Remmina, and Plex has a native Linux version.

TBH with you I like 10, but I don't like not having control over updates, I don't like apps installing in the background without my consent, and I don't like the notion of telemetry and other nonsense being 'baked in' to the OS. The other issue I have is that Microsoft seems to revert stuff back to the way they want it to be with Windows Updates, so you can change all the above today, but it may go back to the way it was tomorrow. And then you run the script again. (Assuming they haven't changed the "how", which would then of course render the script worthless.) 10 has bloat, but it's not necessarily space-taking bloat. You don't need Enterprise to trim 10 down; 7 Ultimate will give you a 10 Pro license if you use the assistive technologies update which is what I'd recommend once you get the new motherboard (since 10 licenses and the ability to re-activate on a system wipe are based on the NIC MAC address used when the upgrade was done, AFAIK). If you want to trim down 10, there are multiple ways to do it. You can remove everything pinned to the Start menu (by default) by right clicking on everything. Most of the background processes and sketchy stuff can be removed by apps like ShutUp 10 or Spybeacon, or PowerShell, or Group Policy. Most of the preinstalled apps can be removed by PowerShell or CCleaner.

If you want to use PowerShell to basically do everything, you can run this script; I've commented out what each thing does so you can pick and choose what you want, if you prefer. I've kept this fairly up to date; most of the settings still work, but they've made changes to the AU (Anniversary Update) that do not allow a few things (like keeping the machine from silently installing apps in the background). My advice for that is let it do it on your first few boots, then run the script to get rid of them all. It seems like from the systems I've run the script on, the apps never come back again. You'll have to run PowerShell as an administrator, and then you can just right click to paste the below into the PS window. (I put this script together based off info I've found online, basically trying to come up with a script that does everything I do in 10, without having to use GP or a GUI based app like ShutUp 10.) Many of these entries are at the machine level (HKLM), but there are some that are user level (HKCU) and as such, you'll have to re-run the script for any additional user accounts/profiles you have on your machine.

Write-Host Adjusting Telemetry and Feedback Requests
# Telemetry set to Basic
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection /v AllowTelemetry /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
# Feedback requests set to Never
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules /v PeriodInNanoSeconds /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Siuf\Rules /v NumberOfSIUFInPeriod /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Stopping and disabling Connected User Experiences and Telemetry service
Get-Service DiagTrack | Stop-Service -PassThru | Set-Service -StartupType disabled

Write-Host Adjusting Windows Update settings
# Notify for download and notify for install
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
# No auto reboot with logged on users
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU /v NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
# Excluding drivers in quality update
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /v ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
# Excluding drivers in Windows Update
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings /v ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Write-Host Changing Delivery Optimization mode
# Changing WUDO to LAN only
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization /v DODownloadMode /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Write-Host Disabling Cortana
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v AllowCortana /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search" /v AllowCortanaAboveLock /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Disabling Xbox GameDVR
REG ADD HKCU\System\GameConfigStore /v GameDVR_Enabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\GameDVR /v AllowGameDVR /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Disabling pre-installed Windows 10 junk
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v PreInstalledAppsEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Removing pre-installed Windows 10 junk
# Note that this leaves the Store installed, so you can re-install any of the below apps.
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *3dbuilder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *alarms* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *bing* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *camera* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *candycrush* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *communicationsapps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *facebook* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *feedback* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *getstarted* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *houzz* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *maps* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *messaging* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *minecraftuwp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *officehub* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *oneconnect* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *onenote* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *people* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *phone* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *royalrevolt* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *solitaire* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *soundrecorder* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *sway* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *twitter* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *xboxapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *zune* | Remove-AppxPackage

Write-Host Preventing Windows from silently installing junk in the background
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SilentInstalledAppsEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Preventing Windows from showing junk suggestions on the Start menu
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SystemPaneSuggestionsEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Disabling Windows tips
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v SoftLandingEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Disabling Windows 10 Spotlight ad lock screen
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v RotatingLockScreenEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager /v RotatingLockScreenOverlayEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Write-Host Preventing Windows from showing ads on the lock screen
# Press Y to overwrite existing entries if prompted
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative" /v CreativeId /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative" /v CreativeJson /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative" /v HotspotImageFolderPath /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative" /v ImpressionToken /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative" /v LockImageFlags /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative" /v PlacementId /t REG_SZ /d "" /f
REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen\Creative" /v PortraitAssetPath /t REG_SZ /d "" /f

Write-Host Removing OneDrive
Stop-Process -processname *onedrive*
# May have to run more than once due to locked .dll files
Remove-Item "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\OneDrive.*"
Remove-Item $env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\OneDrive -recurse -force
REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v OneDrive /f

Write-Host Turning off ads in File Explorer
REG ADD HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowSyncProviderNotifications /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

 

[BulletDust]

Well said zero2dash, respect whee it's deserved. How good is Ubuntu Mate!

 

[michalrz]

If IF you are going Ryzen, at least give one of the newer Linux distributions a try because apparently the Linux kernel can offer different levels of performance compared to a purely Windows machine.
If you find this to be the case in your system, you can always hold on to Linux as the host OS and do part of your stuff there and maybe keep a virtualized Windows install for all the software that needs Windows.
Just a thought. Unless MS applies the Ryzen specific fixes that get mentioned - this could do the job.

 

[KarsusTG]

As much as it sucks, Linux will be off the table for you. Autocad does not run well in VMware workstation or at all on Linux unless you wanted to run a separate server for it.

I think your best bet would be windows 10. That would also give you the ability to use dual video cards/drivers such as an M4000 and 1070 simultaneously. You cannot do that well with linux.

The primary problem is you will find out that it will install updates even while you are working and sometimes those updates can cause bugs or wonky shit to happen. Also if you are doing large project renders you will have to babysit it because if you miss that stupid time defer pop up, you can lose hours of work time from a restart.

TBH, if you are playing mostly linux compatible games, I would build two boxes, one for pushing cad, vm's, etc and one linux box for your daily driver.

 

[BulletDust]

I think your best bet would be windows 10. That would also give you the ability to use dual video cards/drivers such as an M4000 and 1070 simultaneously. You cannot do that well with linux.

Totally agree with your post KarsusTG and running a separate Linux PC in order to slowly move away from Windows is a great idea and what I did with a cheap Dell I found at a swap meet. However the above line isn't true. Running Nvidia drivers I ran an M4000 and a GTX 670FTW just fine, it was all plug and play and easily controllable via Nvidia X Server Settings.

In relation to the OP's point regarding Linux file systems and access in Windows. Linux supports NTFS, FAT 32, in fact literally all file systems just fine, so transferring files to Windows via external media is no more of a hassle than it is between Windows machines. In relation to sharing a local drive over the network on a Linux machine, the process is no harder than it is under Windows using the GUI with Samba installed and local file systems don't matter regarding network shares.

 

[KarsusTG]

Totally agree with your post KarsusTG and running a separate Linux PC in order to slowly move away from Windows is a great idea and what I did with a cheap Dell I found at a swap meet. However the above line isn't true. Running Nvidia drivers I ran an M4000 and a GTX 670FTW just fine, it was all plug and play and easily controllable via Nvidia X Server Settings.

In relation to the OP's point regarding Linux file systems and access in Windows. Linux supports NTFS, FAT 32, in fact literally all file systems just fine, so transferring files to Windows via external media is no more of a hassle than it is between Windows machines. In relation to sharing a local drive over the network on a Linux machine, the process is no harder than it is under Windows using the GUI with Samba installed and local file systems don't matter regarding network shares.

Like I said, you cannot do it well. And since autocad won't run on linux there is no point anyway.

 

[BulletDust]

Like I said, you cannot do it well. And since autocad won't run on linux there is no point anyway.

I'm not too sure what you mean by cannot do it well?! I had no issues whatsoever, it all worked just as well as it did under Windows and just as easily if not easier?

But yes, discussing AutoCAD under Linux is a moot point as it won't run under Linux anyway. However, there's plenty more software applications that use CUDA processing, even under Linux.