Someone suggested that I start a new thread about this and admittedly I have to say it was the best advice I got on that previous thread where I first mentioned this matter. Now brace yourselves as expound upon my statement in the knowledge that things change. So far, to the best of my knowledge, the only operating system AMD recognizes as viable for Thread Ripper is Windows 10. That’s it, not even a passing suggestion that Linux might be yet another viable option, nothing about earlier versions of Windows (probably because they aren’t), or even other operating systems. Fair enough. So I am left to conclude then that since AMD only acknowledges Midrosost’s Windows 10 for their late great platform that Thread Ripper is a hardware platform that was made for Windows 10 only. Is that a fair assumption?
Now many of us “know” this isn’t intrinsically true. You can make Linux work on Thread Ripper — well, sorta. There will be issues: RAID issues, rendering issues, gaming issues, software issues… issues. So what. When are there never any issues, right? My point is that AMD seems to fail to endorse Linux as a viable operating system for Thread Ripper. My point is that AMD only gives WINDOWS 10 their unmitigated stamp of approval. For those who would go so far as to suggest that’s okay because “everybody does” I should like to point out that ASUS didn’t do this when they advertised the motherboard I purchased when I was trying to get my hands on a good dependable work station and Intel (rascals that they are) never said that my CPU would only use one type of O/S either. Yeah, I know a CPU isn’t a motherboard. So let’s cut to the chase.
I’m posting this in the CPU section because I like to think that hardware platforms begin with the CPU. I really don’t think there is much point in making a main board for a CPU that doesn’t even exist. As much as I am tempted to extol on the virtues of Thread Ripper (and I must admit that I am very tempted to go with this platform for manifest reasons) I find I simply cannot bring myself to do so and hence, have not purchased any Thread Ripper hardware as of yet. I don’t think that means I am verboten to discuss Thread Ripper merely because I don’t own any of the hardware. I am a work station user.
Would it not be a fair statement to say that a platform is NOT flexible when so many dozens, nay, hundreds of platforms before it (and after it) actually are??? Let me put this another way: How many PC hardware platforms do you know of that run exlusively on only one version of operating systems? How many CPUs will only use one specific o/s? Would you say that they are cough flexible? In all my days of using work stations I have never encountered anything like this. The work station I currently use boots to Linux, Windows 8.1, Windows7 Ultimate, and yes I use all three. It boots to many many other operating systems as well but for my purposes a triple boot is all that I need. Friends, it’s a WORK station — not a WIMP station. Alas, in light of Spectre/Meltdown and that blind trust that so many millions before me invested in Intel I find myself beside myself. But I will give Intel this much: They are certainly flexible.
Please let me be clear: I love the whole Thread Ripper concept. I mean, so much so that I’m ready to turn coat on Intel (never really being into the whole fanboi thing anyway) just to get away from the dark threat of Spectre/Meltdown and cross over to AMD to enjoy the speed and performance of a remarkably impressive platform EXCEPT for one thing: Seriously??? Only one stinkin operating system??? Okay, here is my extensive apology:
I hereby apologise for putting doggie poo-poo on the shiny shoes of the overly zealous AMD Thread Ripper fan boys and henceforth promise never to blunder like that again. I UN-DOGGIE POO thee… I UN-DOGGIE POO thee… I UN-DOGGIE POO thee. I grovel before thee and plead thee thy unmitigated mercy upon me for desecrating thine most emminant holy shrine. Yes, instead I shall endeavor to find more creative ways of blundering. (This could be one of them.)
SERIOUSLY??? ONLY ONE STINKIN’ OPERATING SYSTEM??? (And maybe Linux kinda sorta?)
NOPE. Not good enough. I want AMD to publically declare that they endorse Linux for their Thread Ripper platform. I want to see their stamp and seal of certifcation on it. Yes, I think Linux deserves it. The suggestion that the hardware isn’t supposed to support the software does NOT wash with me when the HARDWARE manufacturers are saying things like “for Windows 10”. Huh??? The fact that I hate Windows 10, completely despise Windows 10, will never use Windows 10, and think that Windows 10 should be vapourized and disintegrated and reduced to an ionic plasma where it is further disassembled to an infinite number of sub-atomic threads and dispersed from one end of the universe to the next… Has nothing to do with it. If, for example, Thread Ripper was “Linux Mint only” (and kinda sorta maybe something else) I would still accuse AMD of the same chicanery:
Thread Ripper isn’t flexible.
There it is. Shall I say it again? Thread Ripper isn’t flexible.
Have at it, droogies, trolls, and technocrats. I’ve said my piece. (For now.)