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 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; Define 7 Compact has none (so no internal DVD drive option).
• Fractal Define 7 Compact mounts up to 6 drives (2x 3.5/2.5" + 4x 2.5"); 4 by default. An optional Type-A bracket kit enables the final 2x 2.5" drive mounts.
• Fractal Define 7 mounts up to 18 drives (14x 3.5/2.5" + 4x 2.5"); 8 by default. 4x optional Type-B bracket kits boost the 3.5/2.5" mounts from 6 to 14. An optional Type-A kit boosts the dedicated 2.5" mounts from 2 to 4.
• 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.

Case options and features

Image	Name	Height (in)	Width (in)	Depth (in)	Front USB 3.0/2.0/C	Features
Click to enlarge image and view side window option with vented top	Fractal Define 7 Compact (silent compact tower)	18.66	8.27	16.81	2/2/1	32% less volume than Define 7 case Noise-damped and inaudible in most offices Max-airflow design; zero front drive bays or internal drive cages to impede airflow External USB DVD drive / card reader only 5× front USB ports + audio at top edge 10-20Gbps USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type C) Supports up to 3× 2.5″ SSDs, 2× hard drives Ultra-quiet 18.8 dBA fans; 140/120mm front/rear Removable top panel for vented top; optional 2× top 140mm fans Optional extra 140mm front fan Optional bottom 120mm intake fan Optional tempered-glass side window (dark/clear) Below: front ports at top front of case Front ports at top front of case Hover over image to enlarge
Click to enlarge image and view side window option with vented top	Fractal Define 7 (silent mid-tower)	18.70	9.45	21.54	2/2/1	Noise-damped and inaudible in most offices Brushed-aluminum door with reversible hinges 5× front USB ports + audio at top edge 10-20Gbps USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type C) 1× 5.25″ front bay behind door 2× 2.5″ internal drive mounts 6× 3.5″/2.5″ internal drive trays (removable) Ultra-quiet fans (2× 140mm front; 120mm rear, 18.8 dBA) Removable top panel for vented top; optional 2× top 140mm fans Optional bottom 2× bottom 140mm intake fans Optional tempered-glass side panel (dark/clear) Below: front ports at top front of case (above door) Front ports at top front of case Hover over image to enlarge
Click to enlarge / see multiple views	Fractal Define 7 XL (silent full tower)	22.28	9.45	23.78	2/2/1	Inaudible in most offices Noise-dampened side panels & door Full tower size 5× front USB ports + audio at top edge 10Gbps USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C) 2× 5.25″ front bays behind door Optional vented top (included) 2/1 front/rear 140mm fans standard Large 140mm quiet fans 5 optional 140mm fans (2 top, 2 bottom, 1 front) Dust filters (front, top, bottom, PSU) 6×3.5″ / 2×2.5″ drive brackets Front ports (click to enlarge)

MacBook Pro compatibility

All MacBook Pro laptops since Late 2016 models have at least two Thunderbolt 3 ports running at full speed (4 lanes) and are certified to drive dual SideCar X4 MBP eGPU docks when running macOS 10.13.4 (High Sierra) or later. macOS 10.14 Mojave is recommended when available.

13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models prior to Mid 2018 have four Thunderbolt 3 ports, but only the ports on the left side provide full bandwidth. The left-side ports should be used with SideCar eGPU docks. The ports on the right side have reduced bandwidth (2 lanes). However, Mid-2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar has full speed on all four Thunderbolt 3 ports.

All 15-inch MacBook Pro models since Late 2016 have four Thunderbolt 3 ports running at full speed.

The same compatible MacBook Pro models above will also drive the less expensive SideCar X4 eGPU for Windows 10 in Bootcamp mode, and can be configured to drive SideCar X4 eGPU for Windows 10 in native macOS mode following a more extended setup procedure. Digital Tigers charges a $75 enablement fee per MacBook Pro to assist customers configuring macOS for SideCar X4 eGPU for Windows 10.

Windows 10 laptop compatibility

Driving SideCar eGPU docks requires a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 port. Thunderbolt 3 ports are physically identical to USB-C (USB Type C) ports, and many laptops support both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C using the same physical port. However, not every USB-C port supports Thunderbolt 3, and not every Thunderbolt 3 port supports USB-C. In addition, the capability to run Thunderbolt 3 protocol may be enabled or disabled in the system BIOS.

Windows laptops should be updated to the latest BIOS revision and should be running 64-bit Windows 10 Version 1703 (OS Build 15063) or newer. Version 1703 is known as Creator's Update. To check the version, enter winver in the search bar.

Finally, Windows laptops should be updated to the latest Thunderbolt Bus Driver version — specifically, version 16.3.61.275 or newer. To check your driver version, go to Settings:Apps:Thunderbolt(TM) Software. If it is not 16.3.61.275 or greater, then the driver must be updated.

After connecting SideCar to the laptop, you will need to install the latest graphics driver. For SideCar X4 eGPU, this is an AMD Radeon driver. For SideCar GTX series, this is an NVIDIA GeForce driver.

How to choose the right power supply capacity for your configuration

• To determine required power supply capacity, check the total power requirements of your selected CPU and graphics card(s). These power requirements are listed in each line item description. For example, the standard CPU is 240W and the standard graphics card is 130W, totaling 370W.
• For quietest power supply operation and longest life, double that total power requirement to determine your power supply target capacity. For the default CPU and graphics card, this yields a 740W target, which is easily satisfied by the default 850W power supply.
• With high-end CPUs and graphics cards, doubling the power requirement may not be practical. In this situation, choose a power supply model that is rated at least 50% higher than your total CPU+GPU requirements. For the default configuration, this yields a target capacity of 555W for the power supply.
• At maximum, ensure that your CPU+GPU requirements do not exceed 90% of the capacity of your power supply choice. The power supply can run at 90% or even 100% capacity, but its cooling fan will be very audible outside the system during these conditions. These conditions are peak demands, such as during gaming.