Windows 8 OEM Help

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robby530

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Hi all,

I am going to build a pc soon and plan on buying Windows 8 OEM. I am only confused about one thing. What is the installation method? I know you install it through the bios, but will it come as a disk or a product key or something else?
Sorry if it seems like a super nooby question, its just the only thing I need to clear up.

Thanks -Rob
 
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Darkbreeze
First of all, you don't install it through the BIOS. The BIOS is a set of settings that tells the operating system how to use the available hardware that makes up your computer. Windows is installed from a disk drive or from a USB drive. Occasionally even from a network drive. In your case you will be installing from DVD. You will insert it in the drive and if your BIOS boot settings are set for the CD/DVD drive as the first boot option you will be asked to press any key to boot from there once it reads the Windows disk in the drive.

If not, you may need to go into BIOS and set the optical drive (CD/DVD) to be the first boot drive or change the boot drive options by pressing whatever key at startup is required to do so according to...
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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First of all, you don't install it through the BIOS. The BIOS is a set of settings that tells the operating system how to use the available hardware that makes up your computer. Windows is installed from a disk drive or from a USB drive. Occasionally even from a network drive. In your case you will be installing from DVD. You will insert it in the drive and if your BIOS boot settings are set for the CD/DVD drive as the first boot option you will be asked to press any key to boot from there once it reads the Windows disk in the drive.

If not, you may need to go into BIOS and set the optical drive (CD/DVD) to be the first boot drive or change the boot drive options by pressing whatever key at startup is required to do so according to what motherboard you have. Knowing your hardware information would help me in providing you with the proper instructions. Once you get to the point where you can start booting from the drive and it loads up you will need to enter the key that will come with the packaging. The rest is mainly just following the guided program.

On another note, I would not recommend the OEM version. I would recommend the Retail full version unless you absolutely know you will never be upgrading your hardware such as the motherboard or building an entirely new system, and want to then install it on there for use. In the case of a laptop, that you will never be purchasing another laptop or getting one used that you will want to use the operating system on. The OEM version only allows for installation on one computer ever.

If you change the motherboard or build an entirely new system, you cannot re-activate the operating system for the new device. With the retail full version, you can, as long as you assure Microsoft by phone activation that you do in fact only have it installed on one computer at any given time. It's only about twenty bucks more for the retail version so it makes a lot of sense to go that route but of course the choice is yours.
 
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robby530

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Thanks sooo much man. That helped me more than you can imagine. I think I am gonna go with the retail version because I will want to upgrade in the future.
Here is my build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MgL2jX
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Just a minor correction concerning the OEM versions of Windows. With Windows 7 and previous OEM versions (Vista/XP), the OEM license was tied to the motherboard. You could change out any other component without having to worry about having to purchase a new OS license. However, if you did opt to build an entirely new system, to include a new motherboard, then the Microsoft License Agreement for pre-Windows 8 OEM software did require you to purchase a new Windows license.

With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft has loosened the license agreement for OEM software so that it may be re-installed onto new hardware (to include new motherboards) without the need to purchase a new license. Of course, it can still only be installed onto a single computer at any given time.

-Wolf sends
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Yeah, I got into a cut and paste war over this with another moderator where we quoted current microshaft license agreements. We never declared a winner and in fact I think it must have been a tie because we both had Windows 8 and 8.1 license agreement fact sheets directly from the Microshaft pages that seriously contradicted each other. I do know for a fact though that the OEM version one of my private investigator clients purchased would NOT allow us to reactivate it on his new build even after conversations on the phone with MS tech support so for the extra twenty bucks I'd just avoid any uncertainty at all. That's just my opinion and I've certainly seen the evidence supporting yours so I can't say you're wrong but I've also seen the license agreement for 8.1 that contradicts it so I can't call it.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Also, if you think you might ever possibly want to overclock I'd go with the i5-4670k instead. The K versions are unlocked and can be overclocked. The models without the K cannot. Plus, it's got a 100mhz faster base clock, which isn't much, but it's something. If you know you will never overclock for any reason, then that cpu is fine.

I'd also seriously consider either ditching the HDD in favor of an SSD (The difference in speed is no comparison) or getting both and using the HDD for storage only. Keep in mind, regarding the CPU, if you ever do decide to overclock you will need to purchase a good aftermarket cooler as the stock unit will not suffice for overclocking.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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I'm also wondering why, although I'm sure you have a reason, you are including a Wi-Fi adapter with a desktop build. Usually since they are stationary most people just use the onboard Ethernet adapter. Will this unit be located in an area where an Ethernet cable can't be used or will you be taking your desktop to other locations?
 
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robby530

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Yeah the system will be in a different place than the router so Ethernet isn't an option really.
 
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robby530

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I did consider getting both. What do you think would be the right size ssd for me? I guess I'd install Windows on it and some other games. As far as overclocking, I have absolutely no knowledge of that whatsoever. Figured I would do that in another build some other time after I get the gist of the whole pc building process.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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I'd say a 240 or 250GB SSD should be good. They are becoming fairly cheap to purchase and that's big enough for most purposes especially if you have a decent sized HDD as the storage drive for stuff that doesn't need to be on the boot drive. The Samsung 840 Evo is a good choice.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $118.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-07 15:20 EDT-0400
 
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robby530

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Looks awesome :)
Hey man thanks a lot you have helped me so much. I appreciate it.
 
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