Home Server update: Windows Server 2025, 24H2 codebase, and the Intel i7-7700K CPU

Hey everyone, as I finish listening and writing up the second part of the 3e Audio Class D amplifiers review probably correlating with the release of the product soon, I thought I'd put a "quickie" post up this week on an update to my home SERVER computer.

As discussed in 2017, here at home, there are 3 main computers (WORKSTATION, SERVER, GAMING) that form the foundation for my day-to-day "digital" life and to some extent for the family as well. Over time, each of the machines get upgraded as needed. Last year, I stuck in the nVidia RTX 4090 GPU into my Workstation for AI/LLM work. Plus I upgraded the Gaming machine CPU (GPU upgrade soon 😁).

Other than replacing aging hard drives and updating the 10GbE network card, the Server really hasn't needed much attention over time. With the release of Windows Server 2025 OS in November, I figure this would be a good time to update the workhorse.

MUSINGS: Windows Server 2019 update, RSC performance issues with Aquantia 10GbE AQC107, and expensive audiophile server computers (like the Wolf Audio Alpha 3 SX)...

Hey everyone, as mentioned last time, this past week I've been updating my Server computer (Intel i7-7700K based, 32GB machine) over to Windows Server 2019 Standard. It has been a few years since updating to Server 2016 which was an upgrade from Server 2012 R2 before that and Server 2012 initially installed in 2013! I figure it was about time to back-up all the essential data and totally start fresh. Some of the hard disks are 10 years old (a couple of Western Digital Greens and Red drives) and also on my list to be replaced soon. As you've probably experienced, while Windows has improved significantly, over years of use, it can bog down with inefficiencies from old installs hanging around. While maintaining IT stuff is generally not much fun, like "spring cleaning", it's necessary...

My choice for the Server operating system is due to some work related functions (web serving) I needed for this machine - stability, speed and security are more important than application compatibility. In that regard the Windows Server family has over the years proved to be reliable. For my audio and video server needs, as a platform to run RoonServer and as a fast NAS, the speed is certainly appreciated.