I certainly hope that the Ryzen series is just more than competitive and gives Intel a good run for its money.  I've read bits and pieces here and there [articles on NT Compatible] that suggest the Ryzens are way up there and can even better some of Intel's offerings.  Whether that's true remains to be seen, but I've used several AMD processors in the past and quite liked them.  The FX series was quite good, but the Ryzen's are reportedly much faster out of the box.. 

Let's hope so.  My next new build was going to be based around a 7th gen intel i7 7690X, but given the higher costs of Intel CPUs, and from what I'm reading, I am now leaning more towards a Ryzen high-end unit instead.

Found this at pcworld.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3167279/computers/amd-sorry-there-will-be-no-official-ryzen-drivers-for-windows-7.html

For mine, the reasons MS give as to why new CPUs are not/will not support older OSes are not valid and reek of behind the scenes dirty work.  In other words, MS is full of sh!t and is doing this to force Win 10 onto users, whether or not they want it, and millions don't.

While I like Win 10 a little better than I did at first [little being the operative word], it is NOT my first choice OS and I by far prefer Win 8.1 any day.  Win 10 is stupidly in a constant state of flux and keeps breaking users PCs and/or disabling programs, perfectly good drivers and associated hardware with its enforced updates, needed or not.  Win 8 may not have gone down well with users, but Win 10 is far crazier and less likable IMHO.

As for MS, whatever respect or liking I had for it completely evaporated when it started using dirty tactics to force Win 10 on the millions of users who clearly didn't want it, myself being one of them  I still have Win 8.1 on my two main rigs, Win 7 on another and XP on a non-net machine for older games, but Win 10 was forced onto my HP 2-in-1 during Scheduled Maintenance, very much against my wishes and, worse still, the recovery partition was erased so I couldn't roll back.  Let me tell you, I was NOT happy.

Don't hold yer breath!  It'll be a cold day in Hell before MS gets that right, me thinks.  And forced auto updates are still breaking users machines with monotonous regularity.  I've lost count of the people who've told me that WU feched their machines and needed them fixed. 

I went to the trouble of disabling Windows Update and fetching the security patches myself from majorgeeks and other places, yet MS persists in downloading crap drivers I neither need or want via Scheduled Maintenance and repeatedly feching up my keyboard and network adapter.  I shouldn't have to go to System Restore every month to undo the damage, but that's what I'm faced with.

Putting the cart before the horse, aren't we?  Win 8 and 8.1 were here first, meaning that 10 is in fact the bastard child.  And what a right proper bastard it is, too!  Win 8.1 is far superior in my book and 'legitimate'

Oh, and for the record, it would be bastard children, not "childs" ... if in fact Win 10 were the first.

On another note: I have reconsidered the Intel i7 build similar to yours and now will look at an AMD build with a Ryzen CPU and compatible board.  Given that the i7 6950X and ASUS board come to just on 2 grand, I'd get better bang for my buck going with the AMD setup, thus leaving me more money for RAM and other components.  And if what I'm reading about the Ryzens comes to fruition, it'd be one snappy machine with plenty of grunt.  It'll still be late 2017, early 2018, though... gotta re-save the money I spent on the air-con and more besides.

I have had the same PC for 9 years now, Intel Core I7 920 @ 2.67GHz, dual nVidia 4GB graphic cards, 24GB of DDR3 RAM, dual DVD drives, Cooler Master case, liquid cooled, and all hard drives have been upgraded to SSD. It run Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 just fine, no issues. I only use Intel CPU's here, and since this PC fits all my needs, I will probably never update to anything newer. Just because something new comes out doesn't mean you need it. Maybe when holographic computers that you talk to come out, I might consider that though. Probably be gone to heaven by that time though. 

Totally agree on Win 7 Ultimate Ace! 

Quoting LightStar,

reply 9

I have had the same PC for 9 years now, Intel Core I7 920 @ 2.67GHz, dual nVidia 4GB graphic cards, 24GB of DDR3 RAM, dual DVD drives, Cooler Master case, liquid cooled, and all hard drives have been upgraded to SSD. It run Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 just fine, no issues. I only use Intel CPU's here, and since this PC fits all my needs, I will probably never update to anything newer. Just because something new comes out doesn't mean you need it. Maybe when holographic computers that you talk to come out, I might consider that though. Probably be gone to heaven by that time though. 

My AMD FX8350 Black Edition rig is near that age [give or take] and still going strong. I also have an Intel i7 4970K based machine that I also quite like.  In fact, I've been happy with both the AMD and Intel machines I've owned over the years.  It's just that pricing will be a factor with my next build, with the AMD Ryzen likely to get the nod.

Oh, and I love Coolermaster cases and its hardware as well.  I have my i7 4790K machine encased in a Coolermaster Cosmos II, which is also liquid cooled by Coolermaster, and I totally love it for its solid construction, great design and huge amount of interior space... not to mention its great looks as well.  Must admit, though, it is darned heavy with everything in it [including 13 HDDs], and I need help to lift it up onto the bench when it needs work, etc.

I also like Thermaltake cases, but that's another story. 

I just hope Ryzen is competitive with intel otherwise, it won't matter if it supports every OS from Windows 3.1 to Windows 10, as well as Android, iOS, and whatever else.

Though I don't understand the cult-like praise of Windows 7 here. I've been using Windows 10 since July 2015 and I would never go back to Windows 7 by choice. I actually love using Cortana, Xbox play anywhere games, and UWP apps on my desktop. Most of the time the updates help improve an app, though occasionally an updates will maul an app (this happened to the photos app, when the editing features were destroyed in the name of simplicity).

I guess to each their own.

Thanks, starkers for delivering a simple answer, I felt too tired to engage. This is essentially it. One reason I slightly prefer Windows 7 over Windows 8.1 is because Win 7 lacks the Automatic Maintenance service.

I could write an essay about what's wrong with Windows 10, but most things have already been said and I don't want to be a negative person.

Those users accustomed to Android, iOS and Chromebooks might see nothing wrong with Windows 10. Those users should be happy, because the future belongs to them.

I just want the Win32 runtime and support for hardware/drivers. I would be happy with a simple Windows shell like Windows 95. If you want more bling than that, then there are plenty of third party options like Stardock, Winstep and a ton of other options.

To be honest, I feel slightly depressed. Computers were my main hobby for many years. Now I don't see anything interesting on the horizon. Virtual reality, personal assistants, augmented reality don't excite me.

I always found Google products boring (same goes for Apple) and Microsoft is heading in that direction. What Microsoft was good at was building a stable platform with long term support. This meant third party developers had a viable platform to target and it was third party who brought awesomeness to the platform.

Look no further than Linux to see what happens when developers make constant changes to OS internals, userspace toolkits/frameworks and desktop environments. It's the perfect recipe for disaster. And it hasn't stopped yet. More craziness is coming to Linux. I have accepted that the Linux desktop is a developer playground.

What is more concerning is when Microsoft takes the world's biggest production platform and turns it into their own developer playground. I am not only worried about Windows. I am worried about the future of this world.

Shaky software, shaky world, that's how I see it.

That is totally my feeling in a nutshell.

-- Ace --

I like Windows 7 and 8.1, but I think Windows 10 is far superior. I have had a few updates that messes stuff up on my main computer, but that is mostly because I'm an idiot and I'm running the Slow Ring Windows Insider builds on it. I have had fewer problems on my laptop, which is running production builds.

Though I don't see why there is so much hate for the Apps from the store I use 53 to some extent, and have tried far more than that, which are decent app, but I don't have the time to use any longer.

=============================================

1.       Audible

2.       An app for my bank

3.       Alarms and clocks

4.       Amazon

5.       Back to the drawing board

6.       Calendar

7.       Camera

8.       Cortana

9.       Dropbox

10.   Elements: The periodic Table

11.   Facebook

12.   Fallout Shelter (GAME)

13.   Feedback Hub

14.   Figure

15.   Halo 5: Forge (GAME)

16.   GoPro Channel

17.   Groove Music

18.   Hulu

19.   Instagram

20.   Khan Academy

21.   Knowledgebase Builder

22.   KVADPhotos +Pro

23.   Lighthouse (GAME)

24.   Mail

25.   Maps

26.   Messenger

27.   Minecraft: Story Mode (GAME)

28.   Minecraft Windows 10 Edition (GAME)

29.   Movie and Tv

30.   Napster/Rhapsody

31.   Netflix

32.   Newegg

33.   OfficeLens

34.   OneNote

35.   OneDrive

36.   Pandora

37.   People

38.   Readit

39.   ReCore (GAME)

40.   REDCON (GAME)

41.   Roku

42.   Sketchable

43.   Skype

44.   Starwalk 2

45.   Star Wars Commander (GAME)

46.   TED

47.   Todoist

48.   Translator

49.   Twitter

50.   Voice Recorder

51.   Wolfram Alpha

52.   Xbox

53.  Xbox One smartglass

=============================================

Some of these apps are also available on my phone or on my Xbox One, which I appreciate. Many of the apps are also useable through a website, but the apps are more convenient to me. I also appreciate that UWP apps seem to install and uninstall much cleaner than Win 32 apps.

I know many people find the automatic updates annoying, but that is necessary in the age of cyber crime, botnets, hacking, etc.

Since I have had few issues with updates, they seem to be working well and I am all for them. At times I wish Microsoft was iterating faster than it current is to add new features to Windows 10. As long as they leave in robust support for Win 32 applications and programs I don't see what the big deal is. UWP apps and games may or may not be the future, but as long Microsoft makes sure older programs run well on Windows 10, to me it's the best of both worlds.

I mean I currently have Fallout from 1997, which I bought for this computer from GOG (but I have my original disks for Fallout, Fallout 2, and Fallout:Tactics somewhere around my house) installed alongside Fallout Shelter, which I downloaded from the store. On steam I have X-Com: UFO Defense, which steam says came out on Dec. 31, 1993 and X-COM 2 from 2016. Though SMAC isn't working (though a quick search shows at least some people with Windows 10 have it working...worse comes to worse I can set up a Windows 98 virtual machine. I still have my disk and windows key. I knew it would come in handy sometime lol), so there is room from Windows 10 to improve their backwards compatibility, which I hope Microsoft continues to do.

First I would like today I like windows 10. I hate windows eight. Dido with some above if you were being polite. 

Windows stable huh tell that to Linux, and apple users. It crashed on me last year. The only advantage I can see is simplicity, as far as versatility, or stability it is lacking. Not giving us what we want. Just what they want us to want. IF we were going to compare free programs. Linux environment is made to run this way, where most free programs on windows don't do much, and pull you out of your programs to register every five minutes. Linux distributions inspect software to decide what you can download. This sounds like kgb, but most of what is free on windows does jack, or is a virus. Because of this not much if any anti malware programs will let you download free programs unless you do hoops to allow it. Not an easy learning curve on this. Linux just will make you use free programs that work instead. Linux is a virtual machine where a virus will not bring down the computer. A virus on windows can freeze windows where on linux all you can bring down is an account. 

My biggest issue with touch is I have to press a key umteen times to get it to work, scrolling my screen keeps popping up when I'm just scrolling down, like going back to read, and answer old forums. Totally inferior to a mouse. A lot of times it spell checks things that should not be spelled checked. Also it keeps shrinking what I enlarge to see. That would not be a problem if I had good eyes. As if I was done it would be nice to be able to shut off my phone without it trying to play metal on the bus, thumbing down one of my favorite songs just; because I have to shut it down when the bus comes, or playing a game loud when I'm trying to sleep. Running my apps for no reason, or excessive advertising when I'm trying to watch a movie. Running apps running down my battery when I'm doing something else. Why did anyone think it was better to run umteen apps you probably use only rarely to run down your battery is better than pushing on a app to start I have no idea.

What I'm trying to say is that the phone environment,or purpose is none thing like a computer. The operating systems should never tried to be consolidated. This is as retarded as scaling down Dos, not upgrading the environment for a modern computer. Dos offer more flexibility than windows. This would be more compared to windows 95; because, of the lack of support for a modern system.   

A smart phone interface is a upgraded cell phones which was done because the desktop wouldn't fit on the screen. It makes no sense to make a limited screen on something that can do so much more. Ie. windows 8. 

If you thought this was enough they hid the start screen. I'm glad they brought it back. This is a user friendly problem. I'm glad they dumped user accounts for file explorer. I should not have to download another program to fix what eight should never have removed.

Apps are fine if you don't do much with them. Apps are miny programs, so they have to decide what they wan't to ditch, and not everyone likes what they ditch. I wouldn't want this to replace free programs on the Pc though. I'm talking about free, not expiring demos.

With windows 8.0 it makes no sense to buy something that should already be there. 

You guys have read where this processor is comparable to the I5 right.

anotherside

Great response. Some of the best Windows 10 criticism I've read, because I understand where you're coming from. I guess the current shape of Microsoft's store, along with windows 8 and windows 10 is in part to blame because of the stagnation of the x86 CPU. Think about it, there is as much distance from a Pentium MMX 166 processor to a Core 2 Duo E6700 process as what there is from a Core 2 Duo E6700 to today. Plus intel has basically hinted that the 10nm refresh is delayed, so we'll get coffee lake later in 2017, and who knows when we'll get something better.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/02/intel-coffee-lake-14nm-release-date/


I think that Microsoft looked around in 2010 or so and realized intel was stagnating and ARM was undercutting them on price and power, and MS truly thought the Post PC era was on us, with ARM everywhere. If RT had of taken off and Windows Phone or Mobile or whatever they want to call it hadn't of been a dud marketwise, I think they would be congratulating themselves right now. That is not the case. Poor execution on MS's part, along with Win 32 programs having a stronger base, and Nadella diverting from phones has left MS in a bad place right now and that is why the store is more like the google play or Apple's App store than it is like Steam or Origin.

I assume that Microsoft still assumes that UWP is the future and that is why they are continuing to build out their Windows 10 store on that concept. There is little hope of them dislodging steam or Origin or Gog. They would have to pay billions and billions to take over valve, but at some point as Gabe ages I think somebody will eventually buy out Valve if Valve doesn't see VR success in the next few years, and continue to become more of a Steam middle ware company instead of a successful game developer.

Windows on Arm along with more UWP adoption may drive Windows 10 to have more success in the tablet and small touch screen market. If all goes right, by late 2018, you could have an Arm powered Windows 10 device with approximately the same dimensions as a Nintendo Switch, but with more power, able to run many Xbox Play Anywhere games, as well as UWP and Win 32 productivity apps. If all goes wrong we have about the same as what we have now, except Android replacing Chromebooks and spreading further up the laptop chain.

I think the only thing I truly disagree with you is about Pentium II powered Windows 98 computers. I had one with a P2 400, and a whopping 128MBs of ram along with an enormous 10GB hard drive. I am almost positive my phone is more power than that computer, and there is no way I'd give up my current computer for that thing. I think your memory is speeding it. Just like my memory upscales old super Nintendo and N64 games to at least 4k at 120fps on Ultra, when in reality Zelda OoT was probably lucky to hit 30 FPS at 720×480 with super low res textures.

Anyway I hope if nothing else, that by next year intel even if its chips are just another rehash, drop the gpu and replace it with either more cores, or just smaller, cooler chips. Currently I have a Haswell era i5 chip and an amd gpu. It would be nice that ninth generation intel chips that come out in 2018, even if they aren't at 10nm, would have something like and i3 with 2 cores and hyper threading, an i5 with 4 cores and ht and finally an i7 with 6 or 8 cores and ht at similar or lower power, because they have dropped the gpu.

What I would really like to see (I'm saying this as a guy who bought an amd chip just two months before Core 2 came out in 2006), is a resurgent AMD, where Ryzen or a 2018 Ryzen refresh is not just cheaper, but hands outperforms a current intel i7 processor.