Sorry about the lapse in responding, tried to OC my CPU/RAM to help keep up but had no luck and angry at system. (plus lack of knowledge)
Anyway - the whole "dropping windows 7, 8.1 support" thing - I couldn't give a F less. I have literally been on Windows 10 since they opened up the "early access preview testing" in the pre-builds. I have Never thought about going back. Sure, there were some upsetting things, some security concerns and the like, but after tweaking it (just like windows 7 tweaking) it does all I want, and only a tiny bit extra. (which doesn't bother me like some conspiracy theorists are trying to make it come out) Win10, FTW. All the way.
your upset they are cutting a Outdated piece of software? You really don't know how the world works man. The reason they cut this is due to the "cost over benefits", quite frankly the "benefits" of using an older version of windows are falling further and further behind - and they would still take the same amount of Techies to support it for the run (thus, increasing costs to keep it going) - dropping outdated things is how this works best.
Once dropped you have to really seriously , SERIOUSLY, consider moving forward. If you don't - your actually at risk for new-age problems. Not just hardware mind you, but Hackers and Elitists that are working with Win7, 8.1, etc, to exploit them to hell - since Windows won't be making any security patches, - your literally opening your backdoor to every baddie that has knowledge of how to find it.
So moving forward is the "better" option for the majority of people. Especially those that want a more "hassle free" interface. I don't want to learn an entire new OS just to run my games and software. I can adapt to "later versions of windows" because, guess what? Microsoft keeps the "overall learning" to a minimum. Sure there are a TON of differences in Windows 7 and Windows 10, but the Interface is nearly the same, sure, some tweaking can even make it exactly the same, but out of the box - it's not "too hard" to adapt to.
Windows 10 is supported, updated, and security teams are working on/with it. Windows 7 - has none of that. It leaves it up to YOU to ensure your not leaving your backdoor wide open. So if you get hacked, bricked, or any other mess - it's your fault, one way or the other.
Back to my original needs (which didn't need to include the whole "omg Win 10 is needed, but windows 7 is so much better, I hate microsoft!" speech - I love my win10. I don't plan to leave it until Win11/12 (probably 13, cuz that's how windows rolls, everyone loved ME right?) comes out and I test it or see it and really go "man, this fits me great!" Which is EXACTLY the feeling I got from Windows 10 (then it went away a bit with cortana BS and some other ****, but now tweaks bring it back to happiness)
Ryzen 7, 1700 (non X) has caught my attention ,and I am not a serious techie or anything. I have watched, HOURS of footage comparing the Ryzen 7's with Intels X chips - and yes, overall the GAMING experience of the Intel's is GENERALLY higher. This has a lot of theories behind it , and in many cases, can be reversed by using a 2K monitor instead of a 1080p (because for whatever F-in reason, they do better at 1440p and worse at 1080p)
Now some state this is a memory (RAM) speed problem, so Overclocking (or simply buying 3.2Ghz RAM) can reduce, or completely eliminate this "gap" in performance. cool. The problem being the PRICE of that RAM is quite damn high. So most figure it's better to use that $$ into a better GPU, or even just MORE RAM, etc. Which... I won't open that barrel.
The point was that the RAM speed was the problem targeted... and honestly... it's taken all these videos to feel "you know, I am ok with that" I don't really care if my Ryzen 7 is 20FPS slower in a game - especially when those FPS are already over 100. Even in games where 60FPS may be the cap, I don't ""have"" to play on Ultra, I've played on Med-Low and Lowest for over 5 years now. So I COULD reach that same buttery smooth FPS - just not at the same "quality" - which really doesn't bug me. (especially as it might be resolved in the next few months or a year with faster RAM, or updates, or whatever technologies)
The real factor here, is the simple fact it OUTPERFORMS at other multi core tasks. It was quoted as "nearly on PAR" with a Intel CPU that is TWICE it's price in this category - sure that Intel could do EVERYTHING better- but it's like a $1,000 chip. It BETTER do more.
Comparing parts, making lists, doing generic or "lower priced" parts and all that noise gave me a huge brain pain, but I found a way to make a Ryzen 7, with 16GB DDR4 (OC, possible) with new SSD , and a Sapphire Nitro+ RX 480 8GB for something like $940, after shipping, before rebates.
is it the best? Probably not. Can I tweak more someplace? Probably. Swapping parts, getting more "brand name" or "OC Friendly" versions will be the next step - as I want this thing to be a GoddamnBeastFromHell at least the first year of gaming on it, but as I still don't even have $500 saved up yet -I got time.