Intel to AMD, and new SSD

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
J

JimDeezy

Honorable
Dec 28, 2013
58
0
10,640
So I'm going from a dell motherboard and i3-2100 to an ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ and FX-8350.
I'm also installing a new 120GB SSD, and will keep my 1TB HDD.
Question is what is the most hassle free way I can do this, making the SSD the new boot drive, links to substantial guides on the topics welcome. I'd prefer not doing a clean install.
Thanks for your help. Also Windows 7 is my current OS...
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
I think it's best to move personally files onto the 1TB, and then do clean install for OS only onto the SSD. I prefer that method cuz clean install is the only way to eliminate all the old junks that you never knew exist that is still taking spaces. Furthermore, I think that's especially when your SSD is only 120GB. You would want all the spaces on there and maybe put a few games on there along with the OS.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
+++ Dell links its licensing to hARDWARE... ie.. you can take almost any dell and almost any dell OS cd/DVD and install it without entering a key... However you cannot take that OS disk and install it to a different system.

Buy a new key for Win7/8 and start over using the old drive as a data drive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
There is no way to avoid a clean install and the purchase of a new os.
Dell os is oem which can not legitimately be transferred to a new motherboard.

And, because the motherboard chipsets are different, you can not do a repair install.

Windows easy transfer can export your files and settings, but your programs will need to be reinstalled.

I would look at the motherboard, and see what sort of a cpu upgrade it can tolerate.
You can likely replace the i3-2100 with a i5-3350 or even a i7-3770.
Either upgrade is likely to be a stronger solution than the FX-8350.

If your new ssd has enough capacity to hold what is on the hard drive, you can clone your hard drive to the ssd and avoid any reinstall issues.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Lol, Core i7 stronger than FX 8350? Maybe, and only at a single core standpoint. Core i5 3350? No, maybe still by the single core but the FX 8350 absolutely demolishes any and all of the Core i5's in multi tasking ability, and is much much much cheaper as well. The single core performance is hardly noticeable, I wont fanboy and will admit that Intel will get about 10 more fps in games, but multi tasking ability is most noticeable, since you'll be able to actually see in task manager the CPU usage increase when you open up applications.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
@Geo I have the motherboard, CPU, SSD, and another RAM stick sitting next to me just waiting for a new case to put it in to get here in the mail. The Dell Inspiron board could not tolerate more than an i3 or pentium, I checked with the manufacturer...

Ok, so, most hassle free way without wiping/cloning my HDD, I read some guides earlier and am trying to find the best solution- my current mindset is this-

Install new hardware, boot off of Windows 7 usb install drive, install with an applicable key onto the SSD...
Then when I plug in the old HDD, windows 7 I guess will still be on it and it will just be a data drive? Can I run my old programs off of it too, I've read that is not the case, will there be problems with this? I don't want to clone because I don't want to go through skimming down 800g, and I think that wipes the HDD? I don't really intend on making a backup cuz there's nothing too important on it but I have 4mbs internet atm and don't want to have to re-download everything and re-install it...

For instance with steam if I can't run the games off of it, I heard of a way to use steam backup files, backup the few games I wanna launch off of the SSD and reinstall them that way without having to redownload?



Thanks, and I was aware of the OEM retail windows versions were tied to the motherboard, but I read this guide http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html and was thinking it might be possible just enter a new key... without cloning/wiping the HDD and keeping the programs on it?

Am I making any sense? lol thanks for your inputs!

and @pcgaming and @geo again I do already have the parts and it is intended for both gaming and multi-tasking, I went with AMD mainly cuz I felt I got more value with it, almost splurged on the 4770k with an after-market cooler but that woulda been way more obviously 😛
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The cost of just dropping in a newer Intel chip, if it's even possible, may be less than the total combined cost needed to switch to the AMD platform.

Edit: Never mind, the OP clarified this isn't possible.

You will not be able to run your old software off of the old hard drive after the reinstall unless the software is the sort that does not require installation. This will be on a per program basis, and I wouldn't expect it.

As for your Steam games, it's easiest to make backups of the games in your library before you make the transition. After you reinstall Steam on the newly installed copy of Windows, you can restore your backups. It's much faster than re downloading them.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Can I run my old programs off of it too,
Click to expand...
The existing application on your old drive will not work.

but I read this guide http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-i... and was thinking it might be possible just enter a new key.
Click to expand...
The issue is not only the licensing, but also the hardware. Completely changing the hardware (new motherboard and CPU), pretty much requires a fresh install.

For instance with steam if I can't run the games off of it, I heard of a way to use steam backup files, backup the few games I wanna launch off of the SSD and reinstall them that way without having to redownload?
Click to expand...
This works with some/most Steam games:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
OK.
1. If you value your windows settings, export them to your hard drive using windows easy transfer.

2. Install windows on the SSD without your old hard drive attached.

3. reattach your hard drive, and you can import your settings.
All your files will still be accessible.

4. Most programs use registry entries, and your clean install will have created a new/clean registry. You will need to reinstall apps.
Easy transfer will create a report of programs that need to be reinstalled.
On steam, I don't know.

5. MS is very lenient about activating on a oem replacement motherboard. They are mostly concerned about piracy. It would not hurt to try using your oem code. You will tell them that this copy is used nowhere else.

6. When all is done, you can delete the old windows files on the hard drive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yeah @bigpink that was the case for most intel boards bigpink, but with this Inspiron board, it was built as an LGA 1155 Sandy Bridge and at first glance I assumed some of the higher end chips would work on it, like an i7, some i5s, or Xeons- but I did more research and spoke with dell techs and they said it can only take a few i3s and pentiums... If anyone has an Inspiron 620 with something like an i7-3770k please let me know #facepalm

Thanks for the link USAFRet, I'm reading through it now,
so the existing application, meaning of windows will not work?
*I think u clarified that with the old programs thing, yeah I will probably be reinstalling some things, like my copy of photoshop...

Can I simply use it as a data drive and transfer things between if I want, or do I have to do anything special for it to be used as the secondary data drive?
*geo just mentioned the Easy Transfer thing for settings, I think I'll try that, along with my old key first just to see, I'll also prolly make the backups of the few games I want on the SSD like DayZ...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
So this is the build if anyone's interested
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor (Purchased For $0.00)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (Purchased For $0.00)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card (Purchased For $0.00)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $0.00)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For $0.00)
Monitor: Dell ST2321L 23.0" Monitor
Monitor: HP W2072a (A3M50AA#ABA) 60Hz 20.0" Monitor ($0.00)
Keyboard: Rosewill Apollo RK-9100xBBR Wired Gaming Keyboard (Purchased For $0.00)
Mouse: Razer Orochi Bluetooth Wireless Laser Mouse ($0.00)
Other: 4 GB DDR3 (Purchased)
Other: 2 GB DDR3 (Purchased)
Other: Plantronics .Audio 995 Wireless Headset (Purchased)
Total: $0.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-03 21:05 EST-0500)

This site's been pretty invaluable, once I get the last piece of this build (the case) picked up prolly in the mail tomorrow I'll post all the steps I've taken to get it all up and running,

I'm most likely gonna be ordering a GTX 770 to top it all off this week too, this one in particular is the frontrunner at the moment: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130921
Don't think I need the 4GB version, cuz my games are usually run on the single 1080P monitor...
but I did just read Titanfall requires 3, soooo..... lol

If I do indeed require a new Windows key- I will be seriously considering *braces self* picking up the retail copy of windows 8, so that may create new hurdles (I heard it has faster boot times on desktops), and I am already very familiar with it......
Thanks for everyone's input again!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
All of the hoopla surrounding Windows 8 is opinion based - there is nothing technically wrong with it.

I like it, and there are plenty of others who like it, and no, I don't miss the Start menu or try to replicate it with aftermarket software. My only complaint is the need to be on the Pro version for Media Center functionality.

On my laptop, I gained about 24 minutes more run-time over Windows 7 when on battery. Whether you see noticeable speed ups or not, it is more efficient of an OS behind the scenes.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You should get a 2x2GB set to utilize dual channel memory. Or get a 2x4GB set if you're planning on gaming, not that you actually need it, but it's a good minimum to be sure.

A good 2x2GB set to utilize Dual channel memory
http://us.ncix.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=78488&vpn=BLS2KIT2G3D1609DS1S00&manufacture=CRUCIAL%20TECHNOLOGY

EDIT: Also, 4 gigs is not required to play 1080p. 4 gigs is merely for multi-monitor setups, 2 gigs of vRAM is recommended I believe, but only 1 gig is required.
A good 2x4GB set
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104360&clickid=wuCRBEWzHSBQUP0zqG3XRV85UkTRKsSBUR-n1s0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

Opinions are welcome on my decisions.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
So this is technically like my first build, and despite everything taking longer than I thought I would it's all up and running now. I read this thread recently and it made me more confident with the OS: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/51973-63-win7-motherboard

I'll just go over what issues I ran into and how they were resolved:
Firstly installing the FX-8350 stock cooler on this mobo was a pain. I had to unscrew the mount entirely and then fit those hooks onto it and then screw it back on securely.

I then got the 5 beeps and dr. debug 0d error I think it was and figured out my GPU wasn't completely plugged in..

The first 4 gig boot USB I made a long time ago in advance kept saying missing drivers (no the usb 2.0 port didn't work either), so I redownloaded and created a new one from a digital river iso and then the usb download and create tool hung at 99% every time which I figured was something attributed to a bootsect.exe error
So I just followed command prompt commands to format it to 'fat32' and then dragged the extracted files onto it...

So I got windows 7 on there and was able to automated phone activate it successfully
see the thread I linked (the copy of windows is only being used on 1 machine).

I ran the mobo drivers, did a few winodws updates, shut down after installing some
and then simply plugged in the HDD and it immediately recognized on boot didn't have to do disk management or anything

I ran the steam.exe as administrator off the HDD and it loaded up normally (I think the client is still on the HDD...)
I tried steam mover to put 2 games on the SSD but it said the local files were still on the old drive

Soooo I after watching a linux tech tip video and looking at the best solution on this thread: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/293599-32-move-steam-games-drive-other
I just dragged the game folder to the new appropriate mirrored folder on the other drive,
deleted the local files from the old drive,
reinstalled and pointed to other steam directory mirrored on the other drive
and boom DayZ and South Park (I kno the latter prolly won't benefit too much from the SSD)
but still now it's there. And, all my other games and files are still accessible on the HDD...

Also, photoshop still runs off the old HDD... and the steam client isn't on my SSD at the moment.

luckily my RAM all recognized, it's 3 sticks for a total of 10 gigs but I think since its 3 it's not running in dual channel, need the 2 set or 4 set, right?

but yeah there's the first makeshift build I got, I apologize for the wall-o-text but hopefully this might help a couple other people out and yall can suggest any other optimizations I may have overlooked.

oh and also upon the first windows 7 install "several restarts" I had to redo the bios away from boot from usb so that the windows 7 install could complete whilst booting from the SSD.

Thank you!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
pcgaming98, the OP is running on an AMD platform. AMD has only ever supported, single, dual, or quad-channel memory, never triple channel. The FX-8350 supports single or dual-channel.

JimDeezy, to have your memory run in a dual channel configuration, you can not use three RAM modules. You have to use matching modules, and in a supported configuration of either two or four modules. All installed modules need to be the same size and speed, or configured to run at the lowest common denominator of speed, and preferably, when you initially purchase components, you buy the RAM modules in a kit which was assembled together at the factory to match, minimizing the chance the sticks don't work well together.

You may find that removing your one odd RAM module and running in dual-channel configuration is more advantageous and gives you better performance than the extra RAM provides. You will always use the performance benefit of dual-channel, but you will not always use the performance benefit of having more RAM in a system. The latter will be case dependent.

On the other hand, glad to hear you're up and running. 🙂
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom