ROBOCRIPPLE

I'm looking to turn my cheap Intel NUC (BOXNUC6CAYH) into an HTPC, running a desktop Linux distro, not a distro that is made specifically for HTPCs (such as OpenELEC). Mainly, because I want to use it with adblock software and VPN service.
 
Thing is, I don't have any spare SSDs laying around, but I have plenty of laptop-sized HDDs. After booting Windows off an SSD for years, I would never want to go back to HDDs for Windows. I've used Ubuntu in the past and I really like the clean, bloat-less boot and log-in of the OS, so I may as well give that another go for booting off a hard drive. Sure, it may not be very fast, but at least it is perfectly usable after log-in. Still, I would like a faster boot and log-in, if possible.
 
Which Linux distro would you recommend which:
is low on system resources, has a graphical user interface like Ubuntu, boots as quickly off a hard drive as Windows 10 off an SSD, is compatible with Firefox or Chrome, which are compatible with adblock software, I can install proprietary drivers with ease, to eliminate screen-tearing, and I can use with a VPN service such as NordVPN, even without the app.

I'm looking to turn my cheap Intel NUC (BOXNUC6CAYH) into an HTPC, running a desktop Linux distro, not a distro that is made specifically for HTPCs (such as OpenELEC). Mainly, because I want to use it with adblock software and VPN service.
 
Thing is, I don't have any spare SSDs laying around, but I have plenty of laptop-sized HDDs. After booting Windows off an SSD for years, I would never want to go back to HDDs for Windows. I've used Ubuntu in the past and I really like the clean, bloat-less boot and log-in of the OS, so I may as well give that another go for booting off a hard drive. Sure, it may not be very fast, but at least it is perfectly usable after log-in. Still, I would like a faster boot and log-in, if possible.
 
Which Linux distro would you recommend which:
is low on system resources, has a graphical user interface like Ubuntu, boots as quickly off a hard drive as Windows 10 off an SSD, is compatible with Firefox or Chrome, which are compatible with adblock software, I can install proprietary drivers with ease, to eliminate screen-tearing, and I can use with a VPN service such as NordVPN, even without the app.

With so many proprietary RGB software for different brands of computer hardware with RGB lighting, I say we're currently living in the Dark Ages of RGB lighting (pun intended?). I heard the Linux community is developing a unified, open standard for RGB products (is it true, or just a rumor?). But while I was looking for a way to control my Corsair LL-series fans via ASUS AURA (though I prefer the other way around), I've found an app called Jacknet RGB Sync. I attempted to install it, but Windows Defender SmartScreen halted me from doing so. Should I install it? Is it any good?
 
When I have iCUE and CAM enabled at startup, ASUS AURA won't work properly; I can't open the app and the G.SKILL TridentZ memory modules stay at the default rainbow scrolling animation. If I have those two apps disabled at startup, AURA works properly and the TridentZ memory light up in the way I configured them to. Then, if I want my RGB lighting settings for my Corsair LL-series fans, I would have to open iCUE myself. It kinda sucks, but I guess I can live with it.

At this point, why not strive for a single unified currency? There's no reason why we can't do that other than political dick wagging.

@ROBOCRIPPLE thanks for posting this! I needed two for my Bykski EVGA GTX 1070/1070Ti/1080 FTW Full Coverage GPU Water Blocks! 

Hi there Linus,
I'm a sub, a linux gamer and I'm from /r/linux_gaming. I really enjoyed your linux videos with Wendell and your first Proton video. I also noticed that there are always heated discussions in the comment section because of things that people said they could have been researched better. I'm talking about, for example, the fact that you picked an older nVidia driver version, or that the video didn't show some workaround for some proton games, or the fact that you suggested to download some stuff from the web instead of using the repo, etc...
I understand that Linux is a very alien world when you first approach it and that passionate Linux users are quick to criticize things that are not correct. So here's my point: I think I can speak for everyone when I say that for your next Proton video "We are happy to help".
 
Are you unsure about some aspects of Proton? Feel free to ask!
Proton workarounds are a pain in the ass? Ask away!
You don't know what's better between developer drivers and regular drivers? Ask us!
Do you want to know our general experience with Proton? Oh boy, we have a lot to talk about.
WTF even is vulkan_icd_loader? Seriously, we are here.
 
I'm not saying that we should review the script, because I think that it would go too far, but we can certainly have a discussion, and certainly we are happy to help.
 
Feel free to visit at /r/linux_gaming
 
Signed,
The average Linux gamer

Original post: https://old.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/b0kmpg/an_open_letter_to_linus_tech_tips_we_are_happy_to/

EDIT: spear -> speak

I installed the M.2 SSD in the top NVMe slot with the M.2 heatsink and thermal pad on top of it. No sticker is removed from the NVMe SSD. It's been working fine; in fact, my PC boots even faster than before! Thanks for you help, everyone.
 
Even Kyle recommended that you do it this way in his tiny PC build. He used an ASUS mini-ITX motherboard with a similar M.2 heatsink.