Solved BROADWELL E is Around the Corner and I am Concerned

[SCANNERMAN777]

WIN 7 on Broadwell/Skylake (continued)

Thank you for your kind response

" A couple of good videos Scanner and at the same time disturbing. Now I do not intend on buying any Skylake gear simply because the Sandy Ivy Haswell the last of that line in my current travel laptop - i7 5500U am not sure what it's architecture is - I have in my machines runs those machines to perform as well as I want them to and I really don't see what the clammer is for power reduction is all about - all I care about is that they operate reasonably fast and do not get too hot. " Hear, hear

What I find most disheartening is knowing that I've been a Windows fan for nearly two decades and was told by so many for so many years to make the switch. One would think that Microsoft would at least be ethical enough to provide a legitimate, PAID FOR and not "free" o/s that gave us all the latest features of pragmatic practicality without the spyware/adware/bloatware/tabletware additives and preservatives. As I stated before, security is relative to the o/s release date and they are always going to have holes and patches for such things regardless of what applications they manufacture. Windows always has "great" security when it is first released because the malware code for it hasn't been written yet.

That Microsoft would demonstrate the arrogance to invade my Windows 7 with Windows 10 adware is below the belt for me and if their little ET is capable of calling home their codex should have the message by now that I DON'T WANT THEIR TABLET VERSION OF A KEY LOGGER, activated or otherwise, on my PC. The only way that I could see Microsoft redeeming themselves in my books is to release a REAL O/S minus their toxic WINDOW DRESSING and call it Windows 9.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I agree 100% Scanner mate I think personally Microsoft have not only shot themselves in the foot or both feet for that matter by going down the track they have and acting a very dictatorial way. I was at first not very concerned with the new system but as the days pass by what I consider unethical behavior of the individuals who have made up this system have indeed crossed the line between decency and plain megalomania.

For Intel and some others to follow them as if led by a ring through the nose them into this madness is also in my mind a plain agreeance to make more money out of us consumers and with product that is not what a lot of us actually want or can stomach given that it is being done so underhandedly.

I like so many others as I have mentioned before have used their products fr many years and spent a great deal of money in doing - so I am left feeling that they are not interested in producing great products as they did up to Windows 8 from here on in. I could put it in much stronger language but suffice to say I feel very let down by this very deceitful behaviour and attitude.

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

welcome my son . . . To the machine

 

[ICIT2LOL]

welcome my son . . . To the machine

Yes Dad I do hope the Arnie comes to rescue us

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

Resistance is futile

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

I probably should give credit where it is due >>> Bill the Borg - lurkertech.com

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

TITAN ICE has support for the E board listed for support up to Win 8 but I still have my suspicions about the chip. I don't really want to toss over a grand on a chip only to discover that I only get partial support for something "less" than Windows 10.


ASUS X99-E WS/USB 3.1 Motherboard (CEB)

Here is what they say:

ASUS X99-E WS/USB 3.1 Motherboard (CEB)

Specifications:
CPU
Build in Intel® Socket 2011-v3 Core™ i7 Processors
Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
Intel® Socket 2011-v3 for Intel® Xeon® processor E5-1600 v3 product family
Intel® Socket 2011-v3 for Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2600 v3 product family


Chipset
Intel® X99


Memory
8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory *1
8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 2133/1866 MHz ECC, Un-buffered Memory *2
8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 2133/1866 MHz ECC, Register Memory *2
Quad Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).


Multi-GPU Support
Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology


Expansion Slots
7 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (single x16 or dual x16/x16 or triple x16/x16/x16 or quad x16/x16/x16/x16 or seven x16/x8/x8/x8/x8/x8/x8)


Storage

Intel® X99 chipset : *3
1 x SATA Express port, gray, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
1 x M.2 x4 Socket 3, gray, , with M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE mode)
8 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray, *4
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports*5
ASMedia® SATA Express controller : *6
1 x SATA Express port, gray, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
ASMedia® SATA 6Gb/s controller :
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s)compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports


LAN
Intel® I210-AT, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Intel® I218LM, 1 x Gigabit LAN, Dual interconnect between the Integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)


Audio

Realtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking
- High quality 109 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR stereo playback input (Line-in)
- High-fidelity audio OP AMP(s)


USB Ports

Intel® X99 chipset : 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, +blue)
Intel® X99 chipset : 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at mid-board)
ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller : 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, teal blue)
ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 8 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, , 4 at mid-board)


Workstation Features
7 x PCIe x 16 slot(s)
ASUS Dr. Power
12K hours Capacitors
ProCool Power Connector
Q-Code Logger
ASUS PIKE SAS upgrade kit(Optional)


Operating System Support

Windows® 8.1
Windows® 8
Windows® 7


Back I/O Ports
2 x eSATA
2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
2 x USB 3.1 (teal blue)
8 x USB 3.0 (blue)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
8 x Audio jack(s)
1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
1 x Q-Code Logger button


Internal I/O Ports
2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
2 x SATA Express connector: gray, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices
1 x TPM connector(s)
8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 x -pin)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
2 x 8-pin EATX 12 V Power connector
1 x 6-pin EATX 12 V_1 Power connector(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x EZ XMP switch
1 x Front panel connector(s)
1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
1 x DRCT header(s)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x CPU/DRAM overvoltage jumper(s)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
1 x Dr.Power switch(es)
1 x 3-pin CHASSIS(Chassis intrusion) connector

Form Factor
CEB Form Factor (30.5 cm x 26.7 cm)

Yet the reports keep saying that Intel will only be supporting Windows 10 on their new chips. Personally, I don't care if Intel limits full support for Skylake E to Win 10 but my concern is for the Broadwell E chip that should be available any time soon. :::crossing fingers:::

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

TITAN ICE has support for the E board listed for support up to Win 8 but I still have my suspicions about the chip. I don't really want to toss over a grand on a chip only to discover that I only get partial support for something "less" than Windows 10.


ASUS X99-E WS/USB 3.1 Motherboard (CEB)

Here is what they say:

ASUS X99-E WS/USB 3.1 Motherboard (CEB)

Specifications:
CPU
Build in Intel® Socket 2011-v3 Core™ i7 Processors
Supports Intel® 22 nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
Intel® Socket 2011-v3 for Intel® Xeon® processor E5-1600 v3 product family
Intel® Socket 2011-v3 for Intel® Xeon® processor E5-2600 v3 product family


Chipset
Intel® X99


Memory
8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory *1
8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 2133/1866 MHz ECC, Un-buffered Memory *2
8 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR4 2133/1866 MHz ECC, Register Memory *2
Quad Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).


Multi-GPU Support
Supports NVIDIA® 4-Way SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology


Expansion Slots
7 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (single x16 or dual x16/x16 or triple x16/x16/x16 or quad x16/x16/x16/x16 or seven x16/x8/x8/x8/x8/x8/x8)


Storage

Intel® X99 chipset : *3
1 x SATA Express port, gray, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
1 x M.2 x4 Socket 3, gray, , with M Key, type 2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE mode)
8 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray, *4
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports*5
ASMedia® SATA Express controller : *6
1 x SATA Express port, gray, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
ASMedia® SATA 6Gb/s controller :
2 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s)compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports


LAN
Intel® I210-AT, 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s)
Intel® I218LM, 1 x Gigabit LAN, Dual interconnect between the Integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)


Audio

Realtek® ALC1150 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 2
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking
- High quality 109 dB SNR stereo playback output (Line-out at rear) and 104 dB SNR stereo playback input (Line-in)
- High-fidelity audio OP AMP(s)


USB Ports

Intel® X99 chipset : 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, +blue)
Intel® X99 chipset : 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 port(s) (4 at mid-board)
ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller : 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (2 at back panel, teal blue)
ASMedia® USB 3.0 controller : 8 x USB 3.0/2.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, , 4 at mid-board)


Workstation Features
7 x PCIe x 16 slot(s)
ASUS Dr. Power
12K hours Capacitors
ProCool Power Connector
Q-Code Logger
ASUS PIKE SAS upgrade kit(Optional)


Operating System Support

Windows® 8.1
Windows® 8
Windows® 7


Back I/O Ports
2 x eSATA
2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
2 x USB 3.1 (teal blue)
8 x USB 3.0 (blue)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
8 x Audio jack(s)
1 x USB BIOS Flashback Button(s)
1 x Q-Code Logger button


Internal I/O Ports
2 x USB 3.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 3.0 port(s) (19-pin)
2 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 4 USB 2.0 port(s)
2 x SATA Express connector: gray, compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3 for M Key, type 2260/2280 devices
1 x TPM connector(s)
8 x SATA 6Gb/s connector(s)
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
4 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (4 x -pin)
1 x S/PDIF out header(s)
1 x Thunderbolt header(s)
2 x 8-pin EATX 12 V Power connector
1 x 6-pin EATX 12 V_1 Power connector(s)
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector(s)
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector(s)
1 x EZ XMP switch
1 x Front panel connector(s)
1 x System panel(s) (Q-Connector)
1 x DRCT header(s)
1 x MemOK! button(s)
1 x Thermal sensor connector(s)
1 x TPU switch(es)
1 x CPU/DRAM overvoltage jumper(s)
1 x Power-on button(s)
1 x Reset button(s)
1 x Clear CMOS button(s)
1 x Dr.Power switch(es)
1 x 3-pin CHASSIS(Chassis intrusion) connector

Form Factor
CEB Form Factor (30.5 cm x 26.7 cm)

Yet the reports keep saying that Intel will only be supporting Windows 10 on their new chips. Personally, I don't care if Intel limits full support for Skylake E to Win 10 but my concern is for the Broadwell E chip that should be available any time soon. :::crossing fingers:::

I have the same concerns. Newegg had that board in stock last Wednesday and I managed to get my order in before they ran out (why on Earth doesn't make more of these boards? They sell like hotcakes.) although they haven't shipped the darned thing yet (and I'm getting as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs). If I shelled the shekels for a Broadwell-e CPU and found out afterwards that Win 7 wouldn't get full support, I would be livid and going for blood (legally).

Does anyone know what Broadwell-e actually gains over Haswell-e? If it isn't much or isn't anything I would be interested in, I might be better off just getting a 5930K.

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

"I have the same concerns. Newegg had that board in stock last Wednesday and I managed to get my order in before they ran out (why on Earth doesn't make more of these boards? They sell like hotcakes.) although they haven't shipped the darned thing yet (and I'm getting as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs). If I shelled the shekels for a Broadwell-e CPU and found out afterwards that Win 7 wouldn't get full support, I would be livid and going for blood (legally).

Does anyone know what Broadwell-e actually gains over Haswell-e? If it isn't much or isn't anything I would be interested in, I might be better off just getting a 5930K."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perhaps these links might help a little.Intel Unleashing its Broadwell-E HEDT Lineup At Computex 2016 in June - 10 Core/20 Thread Core i7 6950X Leads the Pack



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Zrtnotgic

Just noticed you use the same o/s as I do. You have good taste!

 

[SCANNERMAN777]

The 5930K has six cores (12 threads) whereas the 6900K has 8 cores (16 threads). Both run at roughly the same temps and both use the same maximum number of pcie lanes. Although the 5930K runs at a slightly higher standard clock speed both the 6900K and 5930K share the same turbo speed of 3.7 GHz. The 6900K will also be sporting a larger cache of 20 MB compared to the 5900K L3 cache of 15 MB. And then there is the die shrink to consider: The 6900K is 14 nm compared to the 22 nm of the 5930K. You may have noticed that I haven't spent much time forecasting the anticipated virtues of the ten core/20 thread 6950 chip. Frankly, I think it's overkill and a waste of money. I would say that overall the 6900K will be a better chip than the 5930K but the proof is in the pudding and evidently the 6900 series won't be available for tasting (testing?) at the consumer level until June this year. The real question is will Intel give full support for this chip on a Windows 7 platform or will they reneg on what they claim they offer with the motherboard that supports the chip. Time will only tell coz Intel isn't telling.


Intel Broadwell-E i7-6950X, 6900K, 6850K, & 6800K Specs Leaked | Gamers Nexus - Gaming PC Builds & Hardware Benchmarks

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

"I have the same concerns. Newegg had that board in stock last Wednesday and I managed to get my order in before they ran out (why on Earth doesn't make more of these boards? They sell like hotcakes.) although they haven't shipped the darned thing yet (and I'm getting as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs). If I shelled the shekels for a Broadwell-e CPU and found out afterwards that Win 7 wouldn't get full support, I would be livid and going for blood (legally).

Does anyone know what Broadwell-e actually gains over Haswell-e? If it isn't much or isn't anything I would be interested in, I might be better off just getting a 5930K."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perhaps these links might help a little.Intel Unleashing its Broadwell-E HEDT Lineup At Computex 2016 in June - 10 Core/20 Thread Core i7 6950X Leads the Pack



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Zrtnotgic

Just noticed you use the same o/s as I do. You have good taste!

The 5930K has six cores (12 threads) whereas the 6900K has 8 cores (16 threads). Both run at roughly the same temps and both use the same maximum number of pcie lanes. Although the 5930K runs at a slightly higher standard clock speed both the 6900K and 5930K share the same turbo speed of 3.7 GHz. The 6900K will also be sporting a larger cache of 20 MB compared to the 5900K L3 cache of 15 MB. And then there is the die shrink to consider: The 6900K is 14 nm compared to the 22 nm of the 5930K. You may have noticed that I haven't spent much time forecasting the anticipated virtues of the ten core/20 thread 6950 chip. Frankly, I think it's overkill and a waste of money. I would say that overall the 6900K will be a better chip than the 5930K but the proof is in the pudding and evidently the 6900 series won't be available for tasting (testing?) at the consumer level until June this year. The real question is will Intel give full support for this chip on a Windows 7 platform or will they reneg on what they claim they offer with the motherboard that supports the chip. Time will only tell coz Intel isn't telling.


Intel Broadwell-E i7-6950X, 6900K, 6850K, & 6800K Specs Leaked | Gamers Nexus - Gaming PC Builds & Hardware Benchmarks

Thanks for all that. So far, the two big questions are if the both of the six core chips (I need eight and ten cores like I need another hole in the head; I could do quite nicely with four cores) will support 40 PCI-e lanes (the 5820k at the low end of Haswell-e supports only 28 lanes) and whether the Win 10 restriction will apply, same as the belated one the Skylake owners had sprung on them (I had been holding out for Skylake-e since there was a possibility it would have more PCI-e lanes, more SATA ports, and better USB 3.1 Gen 2 support but MS and Intel cruelly killed that idea).

So far, other than added cores (which, again, I don't need) and a bit more speed (which, again, I don't need; I'm not a gamer), I really don't see any improvements (yet), based on the above articles, which will be of benefit to me, unlike Ivy Bridge-e had over Sandy Bridge-e, which added support for PCI-e 3.0 instead of 2.0, something that was "leaked" (or, at least, speculated) well before Ivy Bridge-e was released.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep well my building days are done now partly because of my circumstances and definitely because of the cost . Currently relying on my ROG gamer laptop with the Intel® Core™ i7-4700HQ and 8GB RAM and to be honest it and the smaller work laptop (Asus P2520LA i7 dual core 8GB RAM) both outperform my Ivy and Sandy Bridge builds by a mile - my small Asus boots in 15 seconds for example.

To be honest I am really wondering why anyone wants something a little faster than what I have - I hit the button it does it so why this must have rush for the newer processors? unless of course one does some ridiculously extreme gaming.

Having said that I do miss building because anything electronic to me is addictive. Plus with all the nonsense going on with Windows 10 and it's band of faithful and compliant manufacturers I simply think even if I did want to build and could I could not use anything but 10:sarc:

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Yep well my building days are done now partly because of my circumstances and definitely because of the cost . Currently relying on my ROG gamer laptop with the Intel® Core™ i7-4700HQ and 8GB RAM and to be honest it and the smaller work laptop (Asus P2520LA i7 dual core 8GB RAM) both outperform my Ivy and Sandy Bridge builds by a mile - my small Asus boots in 15 seconds for example.

To be honest I am really wondering why anyone wants something a little faster than what I have - I hit the button it does it so why this must have rush for the newer processors? unless of course one does some ridiculously extreme gaming.

Having said that I do miss building because anything electronic to me is addictive. Plus with all the nonsense going on with Windows 10 and it's band of faithful and compliant manufacturers I simply think even if I did want to build and could I could not use anything but 10:sarc:

Fortunately, I can still build but it sure is a chore (Betty Davis spoke the truth when she said old age ain't for sissies) that takes a toll on the old carcass.

I agree about speed; I'm happy with the speed of my present rig. The reason I want to upgrade is to get more SATA ports, more RAM (although I could do that on my present machine), more USB 3.0 support and onboard support for USB 3.1 Gen 2. The board I bought (and hasn't been shipped yet; they sure are taking their sweet time), while technically has 40 PCI-e lanes, has the ability to run like it has more than that (up to x16, x8, x8, x8, x8, x8, x8 plus an M.2 x4 with minimal lane sharing). This will kinda sorta future proof the machine by having enough lanes for expansion cards for new technology, such as Blunderbloat Thunderbolt or the next version of USB to come down the pike.

I had been holding out Skylake-e but miserable, misbegotten MS and Intel pulled that rug out from under me (mutter, mutter, mumble, mumble).

 

[townsbg]

I highly doubt that intel would block all use of systems other than 10 because they would alienate the other windows users as well as linux users plus opening themselves up to lawsuits. Outside of that I suppose that they don't have to provide chipset drivers but at the worst that would mean that the users wouldn't be able to take advantage of onboard audio or video, a built in wireless device, or other special features such as temperature/fan control, or a hardware firewall. The user might not be able to use raid either. Everything else should work with older versions of Windows or linux. PC users should be able to get their own A/V cards and a wireless device. Laptop users would be the most restricted. Windows Vista and higher has native drivers for everything else.

 

[Laith]

I'm concerned aswell, because i might be upgrade in the near future and Windows 10 is just not like Windows 7...

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I'm concerned aswell, because i might be updating in the near future and Windows 10 is just not like Windows 7...

Hello Laith well mate I am trying out 10 one more time on a plain clean install of 7 with none of my email or major programs on it. When upgraded I intend trying out the Classic Shell software to see if that makes using 10 less "convoluted" as I do think or at least I get the impression that a few of the older bugs have been ironed out.

The Classic Shell I have used before on 8 installations which made a huge difference to it. Anyway am waiting on the upgrade download - if it I do still not like it I only have to wipe the drive and try something else or flip the drive with Linux Mint back in and catch up with it.

 

[Laith]

Whoops, i wrote update instead of upgrading. But anyways it has really let me down that i have a limit to how much i can upgrade, as i want to avoid Windows 10 as much as possible. This is straight up Microsoft saying that if you don't upgrade to Windows 10 we'll make it worse for you and let you not upgrade any further.

 

[townsbg]

Whoops, i wrote update instead of upgrading. But anyways it has really let me down that i have a limit to how much i can upgrade, as i want to avoid Windows 10 as much as possible. This is straight up Microsoft saying that if you don't upgrade to Windows 10 we'll make it worse for you and let you not upgrade any further.

Where did you read that?

 

[Laith]

Whoops, i wrote update instead of upgrading. But anyways it has really let me down that i have a limit to how much i can upgrade, as i want to avoid Windows 10 as much as possible. This is straight up Microsoft saying that if you don't upgrade to Windows 10 we'll make it worse for you and let you not upgrade any further.

Where did you read that?

What do you mean?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Whoops, i wrote update instead of upgrading. But anyways it has really let me down that i have a limit to how much i can upgrade, as i want to avoid Windows 10 as much as possible. This is straight up Microsoft saying that if you don't upgrade to Windows 10 we'll make it worse for you and let you not upgrade any further.

Where did you read that?

Intel and MS announced recently that Skylake users would be forced to upgrade to Win 10 by 07/17/2017 or support would be reduced. They since extended the deadline to 2018 and backed off on some of the update after enterprises raised a ruction. What bites about this is many people already had Skylake before this bombshell was dropped. Also, Skylake has no support for installing Win 7 via USB. See Skylake support on Windows 7 and 8.1 given a one-year extension | Ars Technica

I had been waiting for Skylake-E until this nonsense erupted. Since I won't be able to fully utilize Win 7 with anything newer than Skylake, I'm now trying to find an X99 board (Asus X99-E WS/USB 3.1) but the thing has been in extremely short supply.