Combine Ubuntu Linux and Windows 11 with WSL2

Now you don't have to choose between Linux and Windows or put up with awkward hybrid options such as dual-boot or putting one OS in a VM.

Our recommended OS choice is Windows 11 Pro with WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. WSL2 lets both operating systems share the same file system, and Linux apps run alongside Windows apps, typically with the same performance as running natively. Now you can combine your favorite Linux scientific tools with the huge library of Windows software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud. Of course, we also offer Ubuntu and Windows installations without the integration.

>Many of the best tools for GPU-accelerated computing are Linux-based. For users interested in exploring GPU computing while still also running Windows apps, our recommended OS choice is Windows 11 Pro with WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. WSL2 lets Linux apps (including Linux GUI apps) run alongside Windows apps on the same desktop, with virtually the same performance as running natively. Now you can combine your favorite Linux scientific tools or NVIDIA CUDA app development with the huge library of Windows software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud. Of course, we also offer Ubuntu and Windows installations without the integration.

Case options and features

Image	Name	Height (in)	Width (in)	Depth (in)	Front USB 3.0/2.0/C	Features
Click to enlarge	Titan XL high-airflow full tower optional tempered-glass side panel volume: 78 liters	22.8	9.5	22.0	4/0/1	Full tower size Optional tempered glass side window 5× front USB ports + audio behind top front door 10Gbps USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C) 3/1 front/rear 140mm quiet fans standard 4 optional 140mm fans (3 top, 1 bottom) 11×2.5″ drive mounts included 4×3.5/2.5″ drive brackets included 8× additional 3.5/2.5″ drive brackets available Front ports (click to enlarge)
Click to enlarge / see multiple views	Fractal Define 7 XL silent full tower optional tempered-glass side panel volume: 77.6 liters	22.28	9.45	23.62	2/2/1	Noise-damped and inaudible in most offices Brushed-aluminum door with reversible hinges Full tower size: fits EATX/EEB motherboards 9+3 expansion slots: 9 standard, 3 vertical 2× 5.25″ front bays behind door Removable top panel for vented top (included) 2/1 front/rear 140mm quiet fans standard Mounts for optional fans / max radiator size: Top: 3x 140/120mm fans; 480mm radiator Front: 3rd 140mm fan; 480mm radiator Bottom: 2x 140/120mm fans; 280mm radiator Compatible radiator combinations: Top: 480x120mm or 360x120mm Front: 420x140mm or 360x120mm Bottom: 280x140mm or 240x120 Dust filters: front (2x), top, full-length bottom 5× front USB ports (2 USB3; 2 USB2; USB-C) Front audio: headphone, mic jacks (3.5mm) 6×3.5″ / 2×2.5″ drive brackets Standard solid black steel side panels Optional tempered-glass side panel (dark tint) Front ports (click to enlarge)
Click to enlarge / see multiple views	Fractal Meshify 2 XL high-airflow full tower with tempered glass side panel volume: 77.2 liters	22.28	9.45	23.62	2/0/1	Mesh front and top for superior cooling Full tower size: fits EATX/EEB motherboards 9+3 expansion slots: 9 standard, 3 vertical 2/1 front/rear 140mm quiet fans standard Mounts for optional fans / max radiator size: Top: 3x 140/120mm fans; 480mm radiator Front: 3rd 140mm fan; 480mm radiator Bottom: 2x 140/120mm fans; 280mm radiator Compatible radiator combinations: Top: 480x120mm or 360x120mm Front: 420x140mm or 360x120mm Bottom: 280x140mm or 240x120 Dust filters (front, top, bottom) 3× top-front USB ports (2 USB3 + USB-C) Front audio: headphone, mic jacks (3.5mm) 6×3.5″/2.5″ + 2×2.5″ drive brackets Standard tempered-glass side panel (dark tint) Optional: light tint tempered-glass side panel

Case drive capacity, mounting details and drive bracket kits for expansion

• Fractal Define 7 XL has two external 5.25" drive bays behind a door; Define 7 has one; Titan XL cases have none (so no internal DVD drive option).
• Fractal Define 7 XL mounts up to 23 drives (18x 3.5/2.5" + 5x 2.5"); 8 by default. 5x optional Type-B bracket kits boost the 3.5/2.5" mounts from 8 to 18. Two optional Type-A kits boost the dedicated 2.5" mounts from 2 to 5.
• Digital Tigers adds any additional brackets required to configure your order. Bracket kits are available from after-market resellers if needed for future expansion.

Relative CPU performance: AMD Threadripper PRO 7000 WX vs Intel Core i9-14900K

Here's what you can expect for relative maximum performance for AMD Threadripper PRO 7000 WX CPUs compared to Intel's top mainstream desktop CPU, Core i9-14900K:

Cinebench 2024 is the industry's leading independent benchmark tool for measuring maximum CPU performance. The chart shows multi-core test results, measuring CPU performance when all CPU cores (mini CPUs inside each processor) are utilized in parallel at 100% capacity. The chart shows the maximum potential performance of each processor.

Compared to Intel Core i9-14900K, which has 24 cores managing 32 simultaneous software threads, here is the relative maximum performance of each Threadripper processor:

• Core i9-14900K (24 cores / 32 threads): baseline
• Threadripper PRO 7965WX (24 cores / 48 threads): 53% faster
• Threadripper PRO 7975WX (32 cores / 64 threads): 94% faster
• Threadripper PRO 7985WX (64 cores / 128 threads): 206% faster
• Threadripper PRO 7995WX (96 cores / 192 threads): 243% faster

Software that can be run across multiple CPU cores is known as multi-threaded software, executing its operations in multiple independent threads. Demanding modern software is typically multi-threaded. However, older software and some software processes in modern applications are single-threaded and must be executed by a single CPU core.

Single-core performance is virtually identical for each Threadripper processor. The faster Threadripper models gain their advantage through deploying more internal CPU cores in parallel, like a call center dividing a large incoming call volume across a team of reps.

Multiple CPU cores assist even single-threaded software processes by proving more available cores for multitasking processes in parallel. This works much like more checkout lanes help more shoppers check out faster. Each shopper may be "single-threaded," needing to scan every item with a single scanner, but dozens of available checkout lanes enable dozens of shoppers to check out simultaneously. No shopper needs to wait for other shoppers to finish checking out before scanning their items as fast as they can.

Few people need the extreme performance of Threadripper PRO 7995WX, which costs more than most people spend on two entire computers. However, Threadripper PRO 7965WX and 7975WX provide real performance value at a price that demanding workstation users can afford. For exceptionally high performance challenges, Threadripper PRO 7985WX is justified by slashing user wait times for computer processing, where such delays are CPU bound.

Beyond CPU performance: 80 PCI Express lanes for system expansion

Threadripper PRO 7000 WX CPUs in tandem with a WRX90-series motherboard supports 2X - 3X system expansion compared to an Intel Core i9-14900K CPU with Z790 motherboard. System expansion is defined as number and speed of PCI Express lanes, which are the communication links between expansion components (such as graphics cards and SSDs) and the processor.

Threadripper PRO 7000 WX CPUs with WRX90 motherboard offer 128 PCI Express 5.0 (Gen5) lanes. By comparison, an Intel Core i9-14900K CPU with Z790 motherboard offers only 16 Gen5 lanes, as well as 24 Gen4 lanes.

As a result, a Threadripper PRO 7000 WX system can support up to four fast GPUs for GPU compute, AI training and machine learning, plus at least four top-speed Gen5 SSDs. By comparison, the typical Core i9 system is limited to a single GPU operating with full 16 lanes and a single Gen5 SSD (if any).

Enterprise data center SSDs vs consumer/client M.2 SSDs

Top: 2.5" U.3 / U.2 SSD (7mm thick) with M.2 2280 SSD (bottom)

• Enterprise data center NVMe SSDs offered here have 2.5" U.2 or U.3 form factor, which is larger and allows more storage than the M.2 form factor used typically for consumer/client NVMe SSDs. U.3 is identical to U.2 except for a connector difference. U.2 and U.3 drives are available in either 7mm or 15mm thicknesses.
• Data center SSDs offer at least 3X the endurance of consumer M.2 SSDs, measured in full drive writes per day (DWPD). Data center SSDs are certified to write at least 1 DWPD for 5 years. Selected data center SSDs are certified for 3 DWPD for 5 years.
• Data center SSDs have onboard capacitors that prevent data loss in the event of power failure, enabling the safe transfer of unsaved data to permanent storage.
• Data center SSDs deliver consistent performance with low latency and don't suffer periodic slowdowns that can occur with consumer SSDs when their SLC write cache is exhausted, exposing the much slower actual performance of their TLC or QLC NAND flash.
• The write performance specs of consumer SSDs reflect only performance with light data loads and periodic write requests. Data center SSD write specs reflect steady-state, continuous write performance of any size and duration. Consumer M.2 SSD write specs would be much lower than data center SSD write specs if tested for the same requirements.

TCG Opal 2.0 encryption and self-encrypting drives (SEDs)

• TCG Opal 2.0 is the prevailing industry standard for self-encrypting drives (SEDs), which use hardware encryption to encrypt entire drives with no performance impact.
• SEDs are shipped unlocked and perform like regular drives until an authorization key is set.
• SEDs can be managed in Windows using BitLocker or using 3rd party software.
• An SED can be instantly erased at end of life by deleting the encryption key.

Backup Frequency Options and Benefits

• A daily backup schedule is standard, with the goal of minimizing data loss and recovery time in the event of a drive failure or system corruption.
• However, daily backups can inadvertently duplicate system problems. Archival backups can be a lifesaver if your system gets corrupted (such as from malware, random file corruption, accidental file deletions or even a Windows Update) and then the corrupted system drive is backed up at end of day before the problem is discovered or resolved.
• An archival backup enables you to boot your system in its exact state as it was at an earlier date, which could be as much as a month prior. For monthly archival backups, the median last backup is 15 days prior, which should be plenty of time to spot problems before the previous backup is overwritten.
• We recommend a monthly interval for the archival backup. However, we also offer weekly archival backup as an alternative.

Optimize Windows for Business Use, Privacy, Performance, Stability and Control

Digital Tigers now offers the option of a customized Windows experience, reflecting what we believe are the priorities of most business users. This optimization is far more important for Windows 10 than for prior Microsoft operating systems.

Optimize for Business Use: Remove Microsoft bloatware (games/consumer apps)

Windows 10 comes with dozens of consumer games and apps that do nothing for business users. We remove Candy Crush Saga, Xbox, Zune Music, Windows Phone, Bing News and much more, while providing a record of what's been uninstalled and how to reinstall any apps you want back. The removals streamline your desktop and Apps / Programs menus and promote a more professional desktop experience.

Privacy: Block Microsoft telemetry, disable Cortana, install ad-blockers, block Start menu ads

By default, Microsoft monitors your configuration and your activity on your computer and sends updates to its servers multiple times an hour, a practice known as telemetry, as part of its product feedback process. This monitoring includes your web browsing history using Microsoft browsers. We block most such monitoring. You can change this preference later if you prefer.

We also disable Cortana, the digital assistant component, reverting the search box to "Search Windows." This removes the conflation of desktop and web search inherent to Cortana, and stops the comprehensive tracking that Cortana conducts and sends to Microsoft (Cortana's Notebook). For Windows 10 Pro, disabling Cortana is handled via Group Policy. For Windows 10 Home, we add a Windows Registry key to disable it. You can reenable Cortana later if you prefer.

We install Chrome and Firefox web browsers, along with Adblock Plus and uBlock Origin ad blockers. The ad blockers improve your web browsing experience while speeding up page-load times and bolstering privacy and security. We set Chrome as the default browser, based on its popularity; you can change this preference.

We install VLC media player and make it the default media player, bypassing the tracking and ads inherent in Windows 10 Movies & TV. You can install any preferred media player and make it your default.

We also turn off Start menu ads ("suggestions," Windows Store apps you never downloaded, appearing as tiles in your Start menu) and targeted ads from third-party apps ("Let my apps use my advertising ID"). You can reverse these settings later if you prefer.

Performance: More system resources, faster browsing, fewer background processes

We change Windows Registry settings to allocate more system resources for graphical, user and desktop objects, doubling the number of application windows and financial trading indicators that can be displayed. These changes reduce the frequency of out-of-memory errors when there is available physical memory, and they reduce the probability that you will be prevented from opening new windows.

We install Chrome and Firefox web browsers, which have faster performance and also enable you to isolate demanding web applications in one browser while you use another browser for general use. Adblock Plus and uBlock Origin speed up web browsing by removing ads, which are often resource-intensive.

We disable the ability of most preinstalled apps to run in the background (Privacy > Background Apps setting), and we turn off non-essential items running at startup.

Blocking Microsoft telemetry and other tracking prevents occasional spikes in CPU, drive and network utilization, avoiding interference with your actual applications.

Stability and Control: Take control of Windows Update

We believe best practice for Windows Update calls for timely security updates and deferred feature updates. Timely security updates are important to protect the system from newly discovered vulnerabilities. Deferred feature updates are important because major new revisions to Windows 10 can cause system instability and application compatibility issues when first released.

Windows 10 Pro (highly recommended) enables us to set Windows feature updates to release on the slower Semi-Annual Channel, and then we use Group Policy to add an extra 180-day delay beyond this slower distribution channel. Without these configuration settings, Windows 10 Pro users would receive updates much closer to their first release. Unfortunately we can do none of these optimizations for Windows 10 Home, and so Windows 10 Home users get new feature updates immediately, with some risk of problems.

We also make changes to Windows to put you in control of when you install updates and when you restart your computer. With Windows 10, Microsoft has become very aggressive with updates, forcing computers to download updates and even forcing system reboots, disregarding alternative customer priorities. There is usually an opportunity to defer a number of hours, but after this modest concession, the system takes control and executes an update and reboot, which normally cannot be stopped. For Windows 10 Pro customers, we make changes to keep you in control of when updates are installed and when you reboot your computer. Certainly security updates are timely and important, but so is control of your time and your workspace, so we give that control back to you.

If you prefer to disable these controls or to get faster Windows feature updates, we can undo these preferences before or after purchase.

Learn more about NVIDIA AI apps

NVIDIA Broadcast

• AI-enhanced video streaming, video calls and video conference calls (Zoom meetings, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.). Remove background noise; blur or replace webcam background; maintain eye contact with camera when looking at screen; center your face on camera even as you move or shift positions (face tracking).
• NVIDIA Broadcast supports OBS Studio, Streamlabs, XSplit Broadcaster, Twitch Studio, HuYa, DouYu, Bilibili, Discord, TeamSpeak, Skype, Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Meet, Bluejeans and more.
• Requires Windows 11 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 or higher graphics card, or NVIDIA RTX Ada or Ampere Generation. Consumes 1.5GB drive space.

NVIDIA ChatRTX

• Personal AI chatbot for private content (DOC/DOCX, PDF, XML, TXT files) and YouTube videos that you select. Analyze content and YouTube transcripts with the power of AI.
• Requires Windows 11 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or higher graphics card, or NVIDIA RTX Ada or Ampere Generation with 8GB+ VRAM. Consumes ~62GB drive space.

NVIDIA Broadcast: Eye Contact Feature

Microsoft Office options

• Purchasing any perpetual license of Office (Office 2019/2016/2010) avoids the recurring annual subscription fees of Office 365.
• Office 2019 is a minor revision to Office 2016 and is the final perpetual-license version of Office that Microsoft expects to offer. Going forward, Microsoft favors subscriptions (Office 365) over perpetual licenses.
• Many people prefer the interface of Office 2010 to Office 2016/2019, so we offer all versions.
• Office 2010 remains popular and is recommended for existing users of Office 2007 and Office 2010. It does not require an online Microsoft Account.
• Office 2016/2019 requires the creation of an online Microsoft Account during the installation process, or access to an existing Microsoft Account. We leave the installer and product key on the Windows desktop for the user to run and set up or access the required Microsoft Account.
• Office Standard licenses are issued via Microsoft Open License Program.
• LibreOffice has overtaken OpenOffice as the most actively developed open-source office suite.