I've been wanting to upgrade from my old haswell build to a newer ryzen build...

I've been wanting to upgrade from my old haswell build to a newer ryzen build, however when doing research about builds and whatnot this

arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/03/microsoft-is-getting-ready-to-block-windows-updates-for-old-windows-on-new-chips/

has sort of turned me off of it. I'm a long time Windows user, currently on (and loving) W7, however this news is not just disheartening, it feels like a stab in the gut. I hate W10 and 8 with a passion, and I'm not using them. So, keeping in mind that I've never used linux, what are some good linux alternatives to Windows 7? And before you tell me to JFGI, I have and have found some things I like, however I want to hear your say on it.

Is there anything you need to know about my PC that would help? Or maybe what I intend to do with it? I play a lot of video games, mostly from GOG and Steam but a lot emulated too. Most of the programs I use on the day-to-day are free, except for Discord. I know, I know, but it's what my friends use and I like the layout.

gentoo

I've seen this advocated on here QUITE a lot, but I've never researched it much. What separates Gentoo from other distros such as (ones I have been looking into) Mint Cinnamon and Sparky?

don't listen to him, it's just a Sup Forums meme, nobody actually uses gentoo

Why not just install windows 10 and you'll be fine with updates and such?

...

There are solutions to install updates on "blocked" computers.

Because I don't like the way it works in a lot of ways. It REQUIRES you to have a password at startup. You can't just shake the mouse out of a screensaver. The UI is very unintuitive, at least for me. Perhaps people who enjoy playing on their phones all the time would like it but I do not. Also, I have heard bad things about compatibility and such with older games via W10, and seeing as how I mostly play older games that is a great turn off. Most importantly the lack of privacy. I'm sorry, but I do illegal things on my computer and do not wish to be monitored. I am well aware that I am pushing it with W7, so W10 is out of the question for me.

Mint or some variant of Ubuntu if you want to ease yourself into it. If you actually want to learn how everything works, throwing yourself into the deep end and installing Gentoo isn't a bad idea.

Mint Cinnamon is one of the ones I have been looking into. I hear very good things about it.

Linux Mint is great for newcomers. However, once you feel comfortable with the Linux enviornment, I'd suggest installing Ubuntu or any of it's flavors.

Well, I guess that's what I'll do then. Thanks, man. I'll probably be back on this board later in the week asking Linux things if I can't figure them out. I did see that it comes with a manual, so I'll be reading over that first.

Yes, Microsoft is slowly phasing out support for pre-10 windows'

Install linux, we don't have any problems here

>what are some good linux alternatives to Windows

Oh! I did have a few other questions! Will all my hardware still be usable (eg my gpu and my printer) or will I have to find and download drivers. I think I already know the answer, but I still want to hear if from you guys.

Depends on which GPU and which printer. Nvidia GPUs generally require proprietary drivers to work well, while AMD drivers are integrated into the kernel(this does mean that you may have to manually upgrade the kernel, but that's not too hard to do). But Ryzen will require you to upgrade the kernel in any case if you use Mint, since it's based on the LTS version of Ubuntu which uses an older kernel by default.

Most printers should work. When there are no official drivers it is often possible to find a PPD file for your printer, which should be sufficient. Scanners are more difficult.

Mint and Ubuntu have been already mentioned. I would suggest that you use Cinnamon as your desktop environment. It's a solid DE and similar to what you are used to from Windows. What Distro you choose doesn't really matter that much

Fugg I have a GTX 760 and a HP all in one. Guess I have to do some digging. Lo que sera, sera.

>I consider using linux
>Sticky with all information I need?
>Nah, brah, I'll make it personal and create a useless thread

Install Source Mage

P.s. OP won't survive using Linux, he should stick to Windows or buy a mac.
I don't want to see anymore making threads about how someone is too stupid to use web search for a simple solution.
Or complaining how hard it is to use CLI or something.

OP, please, do not use Linux.

Installing proprietary drivers is not difficult. If you have an HP printer you are lucky. It is the only company with open source drivers for almost all of there printers. You can install it throw your package manager

I have blocked the seeing of stickys with userscripts because they rarely contain valuable information and are just made by the mods for the lulz, so I didn't know there was one.

Does not justify your inability to look up for yourself which Linux distribution is beginner friendly.

And if you're wondering how it all go for you, using Linux for the first time. I can tell you it won't go very well. You'll be frustrated by every little thing and complain how hard it is to use Linux.

>Does not justify your inability to look up for yourself which Linux distribution is beginner friendly.

Oh, I see. I'm sorry you have a reading comprehension problem, user. It's late, at least in some parts of the world, so it's ok, I don't blame you. Perhaps you should go to bed, or if you're working on a project stick to that instead of messing around on Sup Forums. But you should get some sleep soon, man, you're getting angry for no good reason.