HTPC OS?

Any recommendations, would like Windows 7 but Microsofts continous popups for Windows 10 is annoying, has windows 10 on at the moment but it's horrific for HTPC stuff, everything is too small. I love Remix OS which is a skinned Android marshmallow, but there is issues with hardware acceleration and sound. Tempted with Linux, but is there a particular flavor you recommend? Ubuntu is a bit boring, and if I'm honest it's nicer on android or having an android emulator because I use SHOW-BOX, which is only Android, since the Kodi add on is outdated.

I would use my Raspberry Pi but it's the first gen and pretty slow (single core 32bit Arm 700mhz) the pc I'm using is
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Nvidia Gtx 750 non Ti

I'm tempted by the Remix IO+ but it's being released in May. Which is a while away and as a second option the Pine A64 2gb which is cheap and good, but most have said that they have issues with the Quality control, with some boards having bad solder joints and bent PCB!

 

I can fully recommend OpenELEC. It'll even run on your RasPi if you want.

 

I was going to recommend XMBC, but that has apparently turned tinto Kodi nowadays... can check that out too if you wish.