Just Finished Building Two New Systems - Linux and Windows 10

[toktik]

I have been using an i5-4690k system with Pop!_OS Linux as a general purpose desktop and an i7-4790 system with Windows 10 as a dedicated photo editing system. I decided to replace my current systems with two identical builds, with the main exceptions being the graphics card and storage. I prefer Linux for many reasons, and I would like to move away from Windows for photo editing if possible, but for now I know I need to keep Windows 10 for photo editing. Until I get more experience with darktable, Capture One will remain in my workflow.

Several years ago I tried having one system that I dual-booted, and I never liked having to shut down, restart, etc. With two systems, I can keep them booted at the same time and make sure patching does not become a slowdown to productivity. Linux has never been a patch concern, but Windows 10 has been troublesome for me, especially when the system forces updates when I am trying to get something done quickly.

The identical parts of each new system include:

• i7-9700 processor
• ASUS PRIME Q370M-C/CSM motherboard
• 64GB of Crucial Ballistix 3200Mhz DDR4 memory
• Fractal Design Meshify C case
• Noctua NH-U12s CPU cooler
• Arctic P14 140mm case fans (two for each case)
• Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 M.2 format network card

I used my existing Nvidia 1660 Super for the Windows 10 system. That card is needed to help process files for Topaz Denoise and Capture One 20. The Linux system got my existing Nvidia 1050 Ti graphics card.

The other exception is that the Windows 10 system has a new SK Hynix Gold P31 1TB NVMe while the Linux system got my Samsung 860 EVO 512GB SSD. I moved that SSD from the old Linux system and didn't have to reinstall or make configuration changes.

I'm very impressed with the Noctua fans. I ran a CPU stress test (under Linux) a couple of days ago and the CPU temperature maxed out at 70 Celsius. Ambient was 28 Celsius. Also, the Fractal cases are great. I got them with solid side panels, but the default black front panel can be replaced after purchase with various colored panels, including red, green, yellow, copper, white, purple, and two shades of blue.

I got most of the new components at exceptional prices because of various Black Friday sales. The total for building both computers came to about $900 (US).

My old systems are being repurposed. The i7 is going to be used as a general purpose computer for testing boards, disk cloning, running old PCI i/o cards, doing firmware upgrades to various electronic devices, and hosting one or two virtual machine desktops, as needed, under VMware Workstation.

The i5 is probably going to become a Proxmox-based system that I will use to deploy at least a few 24x7 virtual servers:

• Openmediavault for NAS
• Plex server for multimedia
• IMatch Anywhere

 

[CAcreeks]

I have been using an i5-4690k system with Pop!_OS Linux as a general purpose desktop and an i7-4790 system with Windows 10 as a dedicated photo editing system. I decided to replace my current systems with two [mostly] identical builds...

Thank you for keeping Intel in business! As a shareholder, I thank you.

Until I get more experience with darktable, Capture One (C1) will remain my workflow.

Over on the Fuji X forum, I'm always impressed by nice results from C1. I should download the free C1 Express and try it out.

Several years ago I tried having one system that I dual-booted, and I never liked having to shut down, restart, etc. With two systems, I can keep them booted at the same time and make sure patching does not become a slowdown to productivity.

For many years, I had two systems under the desk, Windows 98-XP and Free BSD. I did most of my work on FreeBSD, but needed Windows to run Adobe software. Then in a new job I had a single system, Windows 7 with a Linux VM. This is more convenient because you can copy and paste between systems, without relying on network transport.

The identical parts of each new system include:

• i7-9700 processor
• ASUS PRIME Q370M-C/CSM motherboard
• 64GB of Crucial Ballistix 3200Mhz DDR4 memory
• ... Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 M.2 format network card

CPU over 13,000 Passmark. Do you really need 64GB for Linux? Hmm... M.2 network card.

The other exception is that the Windows 10 system has a new SK Hynix Gold P31 1TB NVMe while the Linux system got my Samsung 860 EVO 512GB SSD.

The SD Hynix is not listed in ssd.userbenchmark.com yet.

• IMatch Anywhere

Sounds great! https://www.photools.com/imatch-anywhere/

 

[toktik]

I use VMware workstation often. I have a copy on my Linux system and use it to open a Windows 10 guest when I need to run MS programs, Adobe Acrobat, Mind Manager, Kindle for Windows, Freda, and a few other non-Linux programs. I keep the images on a external NVMe that connects via USB 3.2. I try to keep non-photo stuff off the Windows 10 photo editing system, because I have experienced system issues by installing programs that didn't work well together.

I only use the Windows 10 system a few times a week ( for photo editing), so having a Windows 10 VM is handy when I am using my Linux system (most days). If I do get to a stage where I don't use Windows for photo or video work, I would prefer to have only a Linux host and use VMware for Windows guests.

The memory was very cheap ($90 for 64GB), so I got plenty. It lets me run the VMs without worrying about running out of resources. Also, in a few years, I plan to migrate the new desktops into server roles so some of the memory can be repurposed if needed at that time.

 

[Austinian]

I have been using an i5-4690k system with Pop!_OS Linux as a general purpose desktop and an i7-4790 system with Windows 10 as a dedicated photo editing system. I decided to replace my current systems with two [mostly] identical builds...

Thank you for keeping Intel in business! As a shareholder, I thank you.

Until I get more experience with darktable, Capture One (C1) will remain my workflow.

Over on the Fuji X forum, I'm always impressed by nice results from C1. I should download the free C1 Express and try it out.

Good idea. Since my Sigma 100-400 DG DN is unsupported by PhotoLab 4, C1 Express is my raw processor of choice for images from that lens. Unlike some other raw processors, C1E can read the manufacturer's EXIF lens data and do pretty good lens corrections from that even without its own lens profile. The other functions of C1E are IMO very good too. At least that's true with Sony; hopefully that all works with Fuji too.

 

[CAcreeks]

Regarding memory, yes you need lots of memory to run virtual machines.

Over on the Fuji X forum, I'm always impressed by nice results from C1. I should download the free C1 Express and try it out.

Good idea. Since my Sigma 100-400 DG DN is unsupported by PhotoLab 4, C1 Express is my raw processor of choice for images from that lens.

DG DN sounds like dog darn, but I guess it stands for Digital Gosh-it's-big (full frame) and Digital Non-mirror. A new lens, perhaps it will be supported in PL5.

PL4 is also missing lens profiles for the Fuji XF 56/1.2, used in DPreview sample gallery shots.

Unlike some other raw processors, C1E can read the manufacturer's EXIF lens data and do pretty good lens corrections from that even without its own lens profile.

Yesterday I read on pxls.us that a Darktable developer vowed to implement just that.

The other functions of C1E are IMO very good too. At least that's true with Sony; hopefully that all works with Fuji too.

Interesting business decision! I'm sure Sony and Fujifilm pay them something for this.

 

[Austinian]

Regarding memory, yes you need lots of memory to run virtual machines.

Over on the Fuji X forum, I'm always impressed by nice results from C1. I should download the free C1 Express and try it out.

Good idea. Since my Sigma 100-400 DG DN is unsupported by PhotoLab 4, C1 Express is my raw processor of choice for images from that lens.

DG DN sounds like dog darn, but I guess it stands for Digital Gosh-it's-big (full frame) and Digital Non-mirror.

It does handle well for its size and weight, and the iShoot foot makes it pretty well balanced on a tripod.

A new lens, perhaps it will be supported in PL5.

Or a later rev of PL4; I've seen that before. There's another Sigma 100-400 that is supported; it's not identical, but I need to do a test and see if it's better than nothing. C1E is good, but I miss some of PL4's features.

PL4 is also missing lens profiles for the Fuji XF 56/1.2, used in DPreview sample gallery shots.

Perhaps the nonsupport of X-Trans causes a downgrade in DxO's Fuji priorities since AFAIK relatively few Fujis are Bayer? Speculation, of course, I have no inside info.

Unlike some other raw processors, C1E can read the manufacturer's EXIF lens data and do pretty good lens corrections from that even without its own lens profile.

Yesterday I read on pxls.us that a Darktable developer vowed to implement just that.

That would be very good; I've not always been pleased with Lensfun's corrections.

The other functions of C1E are IMO very good too. At least that's true with Sony; hopefully that all works with Fuji too.

Interesting business decision! I'm sure Sony and Fujifilm pay them something for this.

I don't doubt it; Nikon too. Smart decision by Sony at least; last time I looked at it IMO their own raw software product would be flattered by being called mediocre. ;-)

 

[Mystery member]

I have been using an i5-4690k system with Pop!_OS Linux as a general purpose desktop and an i7-4790 system with Windows 10 as a dedicated photo editing system. I decided to replace my current systems with two identical builds, with the main exceptions being the graphics card and storage. I prefer Linux for many reasons, and I would like to move away from Windows for photo editing if possible, but for now I know I need to keep Windows 10 for photo editing. Until I get more experience with darktable, Capture One will remain in my workflow.

Several years ago I tried having one system that I dual-booted, and I never liked having to shut down, restart, etc. With two systems, I can keep them booted at the same time and make sure patching does not become a slowdown to productivity. Linux has never been a patch concern, but Windows 10 has been troublesome for me, especially when the system forces updates when I am trying to get something done quickly.

The identical parts of each new system include:

• i7-9700 processor
• ASUS PRIME Q370M-C/CSM motherboard
• 64GB of Crucial Ballistix 3200Mhz DDR4 memory
• Fractal Design Meshify C case
• Noctua NH-U12s CPU cooler
• Arctic P14 140mm case fans (two for each case)
• Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 M.2 format network card

I used my existing Nvidia 1660 Super for the Windows 10 system. That card is needed to help process files for Topaz Denoise and Capture One 20. The Linux system got my existing Nvidia 1050 Ti graphics card.

The other exception is that the Windows 10 system has a new SK Hynix Gold P31 1TB NVMe while the Linux system got my Samsung 860 EVO 512GB SSD. I moved that SSD from the old Linux system and didn't have to reinstall or make configuration changes.

I'm very impressed with the Noctua fans. I ran a CPU stress test (under Linux) a couple of days ago and the CPU temperature maxed out at 70 Celsius. Ambient was 28 Celsius. Also, the Fractal cases are great. I got them with solid side panels, but the default black front panel can be replaced after purchase with various colored panels, including red, green, yellow, copper, white, purple, and two shades of blue.

I got most of the new components at exceptional prices because of various Black Friday sales. The total for building both computers came to about $900 (US).

My old systems are being repurposed. The i7 is going to be used as a general purpose computer for testing boards, disk cloning, running old PCI i/o cards, doing firmware upgrades to various electronic devices, and hosting one or two virtual machine desktops, as needed, under VMware Workstation.

Interesting. I also like to have a few computers to play with.

I've never had an issue with Win10 updates, and I can't recall a "forced" update. There are options to control update behaviour.

 

[Austinian]

Interesting. I also like to have a few computers to play with.

Me too! The more, the merrier.

I've never had an issue with Win10 updates, and I can't recall a "forced" update. There are options to control update behaviour.

As I recall, when a Windows 10 version (feature release) is no longer supported (after 18 months?) Windows may force an update to a supported version. I've never seen this myself; I always update long before that.

 

[afterburn]

Interesting. I also like to have a few computers to play with.

Me too! The more, the merrier.

I've never had an issue with Win10 updates, and I can't recall a "forced" update. There are options to control update behaviour.

As I recall, when a Windows 10 version (feature release) is no longer supported (after 18 months?) Windows may force an update to a supported version. I've never seen this myself; I always update long before that.

This is correct. The only way Windows Update may force an update upon you is if you have consciously refused to update for a very long time in which you could have updated at the time of your own choosing.

 

[CAcreeks]

Interesting. I also like to have a few computers to play with.

Me too! The more, the merrier.

I've never had an issue with Win10 updates, and I can't recall a "forced" update. There are options to control update behaviour.

As I recall, when a Windows 10 version (feature release) is no longer supported (after 18 months?) Windows may force an update to a supported version. I've never seen this myself; I always update long before that.

This is correct. The only way Windows Update may force an update upon you is if you have consciously refused to update for a very long time in which you could have updated at the time of your own choosing.

With W10 Home, it just happens at random times. My wife tried to "control update behavior" with various techniques, but none worked.

With W10 Enterprise, the IT department decides when to update. I have no choice.

"What does IT stand for?"
"It means Internet Things."

(scene from The IT Crowd, a British sitcom)

 

[Austinian]

Interesting. I also like to have a few computers to play with.

Me too! The more, the merrier.

I've never had an issue with Win10 updates, and I can't recall a "forced" update. There are options to control update behaviour.

As I recall, when a Windows 10 version (feature release) is no longer supported (after 18 months?) Windows may force an update to a supported version. I've never seen this myself; I always update long before that.

This is correct. The only way Windows Update may force an update upon you is if you have consciously refused to update for a very long time in which you could have updated at the time of your own choosing.

With W10 Home, it just happens at random times. My wife tried to "control update behavior" with various techniques, but none worked.

Is she trying to prevent all updates, or just prevent unexpected restarts?

With W10 Enterprise, the IT department decides when to update. I have no choice.

"What does IT stand for?"
"It means Internet Things."

(scene from The IT Crowd, a British sitcom)

And IoT stands for "security disasters".

Loading…

www.techspot.com

 

[CAcreeks]

With W10 Home, [update] just happens at random times. My wife tried to "control update behavior" with various techniques, but none worked.

Is she trying to prevent all updates, or just prevent unexpected restarts?

The latter. At first she tried "metered connection" but that didn't make any difference. Then she tried "off hours" or whatever they call it, but updates occurred during working hours anyway. The principal annoyance was open tabs in Chrome, with cookies set by financial institutions that require 2-factor authentication, which need to be re-2factored after reboot.

To be fair, recent W10 Home versions are better at obeying off hours. It's still bothersome when the PC reboots, but it's not as bad as in early days, maybe 1607.

 

[Austinian]

With W10 Home, [update] just happens at random times. My wife tried to "control update behavior" with various techniques, but none worked.

Is she trying to prevent all updates, or just prevent unexpected restarts?

The latter. At first she tried "metered connection" but that didn't make any difference. Then she tried "off hours" or whatever they call it, but updates occurred during working hours anyway.

Then IDK what's going wrong; since I set Active Hours correctly, I've never had an unexpected restart.

If she's tried using third-party utilities to control updates in the past, perhaps that did something to prevent correct functioning of AH?

If this is a serious problem, maybe do a full, verified backup, then a clean Windows install via Media Creation Tool to see if that fixes it? The MCT in my experience isn't totally up to date, so testing Active Hours' restart prevention should be pretty quick and easy.

 

[CAcreeks]

With W10 Home, [update] just happens at random times. My wife tried to "control update behavior" with various techniques, but none worked.

Is she trying to prevent all updates, or just prevent unexpected restarts?

The latter. At first she tried "metered connection" but that didn't make any difference. Then she tried "off hours" or whatever they call it, but updates occurred during working hours anyway.

Then IDK what's going wrong; since I set Active Hours correctly, I've never had an unexpected restart.

If she's tried using third-party utilities to control updates in the past, perhaps that did something to prevent correct functioning of AH?

If this is a serious problem, maybe do a full, verified backup, then a clean Windows install via Media Creation Tool to see if that fixes it? The MCT in my experience isn't totally up to date, so testing Active Hours' restart prevention should be pretty quick and easy.

The issue tapered off, or disappeared, after 1903 or 1909. (She has little awareness of which version she's running.)

Sometimes it takes Microsoft a long time to fix bugs.

It's still a PITA losing Chrome tabs after an update, but c'est la vie.

 

[Austinian]

With W10 Home, [update] just happens at random times. My wife tried to "control update behavior" with various techniques, but none worked.

Is she trying to prevent all updates, or just prevent unexpected restarts?

The latter. At first she tried "metered connection" but that didn't make any difference. Then she tried "off hours" or whatever they call it, but updates occurred during working hours anyway.

Then IDK what's going wrong; since I set Active Hours correctly, I've never had an unexpected restart.

If she's tried using third-party utilities to control updates in the past, perhaps that did something to prevent correct functioning of AH?

If this is a serious problem, maybe do a full, verified backup, then a clean Windows install via Media Creation Tool to see if that fixes it? The MCT in my experience isn't totally up to date, so testing Active Hours' restart prevention should be pretty quick and easy.

The issue tapered off, or disappeared, after 1903 or 1909. (She has little awareness of which version she's running.)

Sometimes it takes Microsoft a long time to fix bugs.

Yes, and sometimes it takes users a long time to find the right settings. ;-)

It's still a PITA losing Chrome tabs after an update, but c'est la vie.

It's been a while since I used Chrome, so that's news to me.

 

[CAcreeks]

Then IDK what's going wrong; since I set Active Hours correctly, I've never had an unexpected restart.

The issue tapered off, or disappeared, after 1903 or 1909. (She has little awareness of which version she's running.) Sometimes it takes Microsoft a long time to fix bugs.

Yes, and sometimes it takes users a long time to find the right settings. ;-)

In this case, it took a long time for Microsoft to figure it out.

Active Hours didn't appear as a W10 Home feature until 1903. (My hunch above is correct)

It's still a PITA losing Chrome tabs after an update, but c'est la vie.

It's been a while since I used Chrome, so that's news to me.

Firefox is nice because, even when I don't want to save my tabs after exit, it apologizes that it can't restore my tabs. I wish all software apologized so often!

 

[Austinian]

Then IDK what's going wrong; since I set Active Hours correctly, I've never had an unexpected restart.

The issue tapered off, or disappeared, after 1903 or 1909. (She has little awareness of which version she's running.) Sometimes it takes Microsoft a long time to fix bugs.

Yes, and sometimes it takes users a long time to find the right settings. ;-)

In this case, it took a long time for Microsoft to figure it out.

Active Hours didn't appear as a W10 Home feature until 1903. (My hunch above is correct)

Seems longer to me. Hmmm, according to this, it was in 1607.

"When turned on by default, the Active Hours at least for Windows 10 build 1607 are 8am to 5PM. You may set up to a 12 hour interval. During that time, the computer will not restart due to updates being installed until after the Active Hours times have passed."

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ve-hours/82f4461b-5e09-4fb7-9859-2a9baa17713b

It's still a PITA losing Chrome tabs after an update, but c'est la vie.

It's been a while since I used Chrome, so that's news to me.

Firefox is nice because, even when I don't want to save my tabs after exit, it apologizes that it can't restore my tabs. I wish all software apologized so often!

Firefox has been my standard browser for a while; not perfect, but so far 'fit for purpose' for me.

Edit: Digging deeper, I found this:

"Windows Update has had “Active Hours” since the Anniversary Update. You can tell Windows when you’re using your PC, and it won’t automatically restart your PC during these hours.

In the April 2019 Update, you can enable a new “Automatically adjust active hours for this device based on activity” setting and Windows will automatically set your active hours, so you don’t have to think about them. This option is available at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Change Active Hours."

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www.howtogeek.com

Perhaps that new capability auto-set Active Hours to something suitable for her?