Things are turning complicated in January.
Things are turning complicated in January.
So in short, I’ve been thinking about getting a computer upgrade early next year because Windows 7 won’t get any support anymore. I was thinking the wrong timeline and found out it’s happening sooner than expected :/ Now I’m pretty much the kind of person Linus described in his "What Happens When Windows 7 DIES?" video. I’m sticking to operating systems built from the start with privacy in mind and avoiding those annoying search features that rely on Bing for productivity. Also, I don’t want to be forced into updates, which is good for staying productive.
My original plan was to avoid the internet altogether and stick to offline activities like gaming, streaming, or using Steam. But I’m not a tech expert, and I don’t want to limit my hardware choices too much. Maybe there’s some software that could help with Windows 10, or perhaps Linux is a better fit for gaming now because of something I’m not aware of. I’m also curious about installing an Intel Optane module on my Steam Library to speed things up, or playing games like KUF II and streaming them.
I’m here asking for advice, suggestions, and feedback. My main goal is to upgrade without feeling like I’m downgrading—spending a lot on new parts shouldn’t mean losing money. My current setup is an i5-2500K with 16GB RAM and a GTX 1660 Ti, plus two HDDs in RAID 0. I was planning to keep Windows 7 and only browse via Steam or Discord, not using a browser.
Details: I’m using the latest Intel consumer parts, including a GTX 570 that I’ve had for a couple years. I’m considering a new gaming rig with the 1660 Ti, an SSD as a boot drive, and an Optane module for faster performance. I’d run it on Windows 7 and only connect to the internet through Steam or Discord. For a virtual machine, I’d run it on a server with more RAM and use Unraid to manage storage. If I need a dedicated GPU, I’d look into software solutions first.
Choose Linux for privacy—no hidden tracking. The only hope is if Microsoft meets the spirit of Christmas and changes its course. Linux works with Optane. You can browse without a browser.
Linux supports gaming, though compatibility is key. You may need to use tools like WINE to broaden support, which involves some effort. The main challenge is researching what games fit your system. Upgrading the kernel can be straightforward, but newer kernels after 3.5 sometimes cause stability problems with my setup. Linux makes it easy to switch kernels, which is helpful. I usually opt for the latest kernel releases rather than LTS versions, hoping for better performance and updates. I’ve played many games on Linux, including OpenTTD, Stardew Valley, Terrieria, and Minecraft.
I frequently question whether they've included all the identical Win 10 telemetry and "surveillance" features in Windows 7 and 8.1 despite updates, rendering the switch less significant. I've learned it was implemented, though you can't be certain. If you're worried enough about Windows 10 to steer clear given the limited details, Linux might be the superior choice.
It's quite an old setup... Similar to a decade ago. Which distribution are you on? Keeping a 3.5 kernel is like using an older version of Windows XP. The current kernel is already around 5.x.
They've been implementing telemetry fixes in several updates over the past few years, beginning around 2017. Recent improvements keep rolling out regularly, with the most recent change appearing in July of this year. However, trying to clarify this for those committed to using Windows 7 or 8 feels futile since they're resistant to change.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Windows 10 updates often bring problems. Particularly with newer releases. Older systems tend to struggle more. I experienced several issues on my previous gaming setup. Ultimately, switching to Linux helped me. Honestly, the data collection isn’t as bothersome. Since Google handles it too. I still rely on Google services.
The end of W7 support isn't a catastrophic event. As long as you apply some basic common sense when browsing the internet, using W7 should be safe. While it may seem like an old version, I've kept it functional without major performance drops. I've avoided updates that introduced more spyware, especially after W10 was released. In reality, most issues can be resolved by formatting and starting fresh—usually quicker and more reliable than trying to repair a compromised system. If your data is important, back it up onto another device or storage. That way you won't worry if something goes wrong.