Looking to Build Win 7 Machine for VR, Suggestions.

[Bizman]

Just so you know, Windows 10 is still available for free for people using assistive technologies: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade

We are not restricting the upgrade offer to specific assistive technologies. If you use assistive technology on Windows, you are eligible for the upgrade offer.

Do eyeglasses count? According to the above they do. Does using Cortana count? Apparently yes, if you use speech to control a keyboard- and mouse operated system. That looks like they want people to get 10 no matter what.

Staying away from 10 is still a viable option. There's still about three years for Microsoft to fix 10 to be personal controlled by the user.

[1stpar3]

  Makes sense. I just use my PC for AH and DCS, do agree though that W10 can be a pain. Remember updates with 7 too though. Not always good thing. But I guess those have been figured out and since no updates anymore it would be more conducive to harmony   Curiosity bone scratched 

[TequilaChaser]

Makes sense. I just use my PC for AH and DCS, do agree though that W10 can be a pain. Remember updates with 7 too though. Not always good thing. But I guess those have been figured out and since no updates anymore it would be more conducive to harmony   Curiosity bone scratched 

Windows 7, still puts out updates, mainly critical updates, which will end up messing up your windows 7 install, if you don't pay close attention to what is being installed/updated

Another thing to consider:
For any of you that use 2 or more different operating systems and use Duel Boot or Multiple Boot setups... I seriously recommend that you do not add Windows 10 (Home, Pro, Enterprise) to your Multiple Boot setup....

If you do, Windows 10 will automatically take over and will automatically add all the telemetry processes /updates to all of your other operating systems ie: Windows 7 Ult., Windows 8/8.1 Pro/ etc....

Only way I have been able to work around it is using the 5 hot swap HDD/SSD bays(trays) on my Thermaltake Level 10 GT case.... With win7ult, win8.1pro, win10entLTSB loaded up in top 3 trays... Tray 4 is data storage drive for windows 7 and 8.1.... and tray 5 is data storage drive for win 10

This way I can keep win 10 from coming into contact with win 7 or win 8

[Oldman731]

The bottom line is everyone who has stuck with Windows 7 have valid reasons to do so.

True, true.

I used to say the same thing about the CP/M guys...

- oldman

[Skuzzy]

True, true.

I used to say the same thing about the CP/M guys...

- oldman

Well duh.  CP/M was a better operating system than DOS ever was.

By the way.  Microsoft has released Windows updates to all its operating systems to add Windows 10 telemetry gathering.  On Windows 7 it is pretty easy to spot.  Takes away about 15% of the operating system performance after it is installed.

[Puma44]

Well duh.  CP/M was a better operating system than DOS ever was.

By the way.  Microsoft has released Windows updates to all its operating systems to add Windows 10 telemetry gathering.  On Windows 7 it is pretty easy to spot.  Takes away about 15% of the operating system performance after it is installed.

Skuzzy, how does this "knows just enough to get in trouble" guy spot the W7 telemetry gathering.  I'd like that 15% returned.  Thanks!

[Skuzzy]

Skuzzy, how does this "knows just enough to get in trouble" guy spot the W7 telemetry gathering.  I'd like that 15% returned.  Thanks!

It is included in the list of updates which you should not have installed, along with instructions on removing them.
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,71591.msg4998528.html#msg4998528

[Puma44]

Ok, Thanks Skuzzy.  I have gone through that list and thought this might be something new.   

[Denniss]

Much of the Telemetry stuff comes bundled with the Rollup update packs offered via Windows Update. The security-only updates do not contain this BS but they are not on Windows update + they are not cumulative

[Skuzzy]

The one telemetry update (KB3021917), for Windows 7, was offered stand alone and was included in the security updates and was described as a "performance update".

If one did not bother to read the fine print, then you might have missed it was an update to install telemetry gathering.

It is absolutely included in the roll-up packages.  If you do those roll-up installations, you you got the telemetry update with no way to remove it.

I have been manually installing updates, to my Windows 7 systems, to avoid all that mess.

[Mister Fork]

There are many people who do not care for how invasive Windows 10 is and have chosen to avoid it.  There are those who have spent a lot of time customizing their OS and to have to waste time fixing it after every Windows 10 update is frustrating.

Windows 7 also comes with utilities Windows 10 does not include.  Windows 7 is easier to personalize.  Then there is the forced updates, giving you no choice but to accept something which may break what you do with your computer.  On Windows 7, you can wait and see if that update is going to wreak havoc with what you do.

The bottom line is everyone who has stuck with Windows 7 have valid reasons to do so.

I'm with Skuz, as a gaming OS, Win7 is pretty nice and easy to use.

I personally use Windows 10 and I'm quite happy with it.  That said, I've nerfed the heck out of it to neuter it from a privacy perspective. For me, it's just a matter of taste - I'm a computer wiz so nerfing and customizing the OS to my liking is always easy. And I do like some of the Win10 features with it's 'app' approach to the OS.

[Bizman]

Just so you all know: I still haven't got any of those dreaded updates listed in the post Skuzzy mentioned. I've been using this simple trick to avoid them: In Windows Update, uncheck "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates".

Check every now and then that it hasn't been reactivated.

[SIK1]

Joe, If I were to buy the parts right now, according to pcpartpicker, it's a $1,300, machine.         The video card being almost half of the total price. 
The price difference between the 1070, and 1080, isn't that much, and because I want to do VR I figured I might as well go with the 1080.

I think if I can be just a little patient I can knock close to a grand off of that $1,300, by buying the parts when they have rebates and price reductions.
The hard part for me is being patient. 

 
Sik

LOL, I didn't mean I could knock a grand off of the $1,300 I meant I could bring it in closer to a grand. Of course that plan went out the window. I will say this, the video card cost almost as much as everything else.

This is what I ended up buying:

CPU       i5-6600K                                    $173.91  Right place right time.
MoBo     Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura            $79.99   I was looking at a Asus Z170-E but this one came along, has better on-board audio and was $25 cheaper
HDD       Hitachi Ultrastar A7K3000 2TB        $67.50    Suppose to be a reliable HDD
PS         Seasonic SSR-650FX                    $79.99    Focus 80+ Gold Fully Modular
RAM       Team T-Force Vulcan 16GB           $97.99    Gets good reviews, was under $100
Cooler     Corsair H100i v2                         $84.99    Figured I'd give water cooling a shot
Case       HZXT  S340 (Black/Blue)              $66.99    Good looking, well made case
Vid Card  EVGA 08G-P4-6288-KR                $619.99    GTX 1080 8GB FTW Gaming Hybrid

For a total before taxes of                     $1,271.35

So I did managed to keep it under $1,300, but not really when you consider I paid $89.76 in taxes. I did manage to spend only $1.99 for shipping.

Having a budget, and then trying to save money as I went along didn't work very well as every time I saved a couple of bucks on one thing I started looking at a more expensive option on something else.

So you think this will run AH in VR? 

I'll post a couple of pics when I get it all together, and running.

 
Sik

[The Fugitive]

Looks good to me, and the price is about what I figured a good setup would cost. Cant wait to hear what you think of it when you get it running!

[Bizman]

Looks very nice, you've obviously done your homework!

As for water cooling, it won't be more silent or more efficient than a good air cooler. Noctua nh-d15 is in the same price range and it beats the Corsair as well as many other high end liquid coolers. No fear for leaks or blockages.