CPU and MB swap out... Questions...

M11293 · Nov 28, 2014

Hey folks,

I am looking to swap out my motherboard and CPU. Going from AMD to an Intel i7; I am going to give my buddy my AMD MB/CPU/heat sink. I will do a clean install. My OS is on an SSD. Anyway, a few questions.

1. How do I save my game profiles? Most of my games are on Steam. Could I just move the pertinent Steam files to the 1 TB axillary HDD I have? Would formatting that HDD be an issue, or should it plug in via SATA and be perceived by the new MB and CPU without issue?

2. Will I have to buy another Windows 8.1 key, or should it install without issue and serial codes? I haven't activated the original install OS on the AMD MB.

3. I am going for a 4790K CPU. Anything I should know before doing the install? BIOS Flash I presume?

M

Lucias OKeefe · Nov 28, 2014

Um, none of your files are installed on the motherboard or PSU. You will need a new serial for your Windows 8.1 unless you have a box saying "Retail" with 8.1 in it.

Also, the i7s are more expensive but don't provide performance to match it. What are you using it for?

M11293 · Nov 28, 2014

I am well aware the files are not on the motherboard or PSU. Again, I am swapping the MB. I have a purple 8.1 box, but I am not sure if it says retail on it. It isn't on me at the moment.

I am going to do some video/graphic editing.

Lucias OKeefe · Nov 28, 2014

Apologies, I meant CPU not PSU and misread almost all of that.

If you don't really care about some of your game saves you can simply swap the HDD and Steam's Cloud service will actually download the majority of them (but not all games are supported). If you're able to back up the old hard drive and keep it connected you can use a bit of Google Fu to find where the saves are stored and transfer them manually for the rest.

If you're not prepared to overclock an i7 might be the best option, however I still recommend a good overclock on the i5. In that case find a i7 model without "K" in it because that is only for overclocking purposes. But, if you absolutely positively have to have the best render times and your editing suite doesn't support GPU rendering (or your GPU isn't what you want to render on) an overclock i7 will do that.

If your Windows 8.1 box is retail you should be able to invalidate your current install and reinstall it on up to four more motherboards. If it's OEM it is tied to the original motherboard and only catastrophic motherboard failure is enough for Microsoft to consider unregistering it on a good day.

USAFRet · Nov 28, 2014

Your OS will be fine reinstalling on new hardware. Win 8/8.1 is far less picky about that. Install and activate.
Obviously, only one PC at a time.

Your Steam games? See this about moving them to another drive: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

M11293 · Nov 28, 2014

Cool. I am going to go with the i7, as its only about $80-100 more compared to the i5. Any suggestions for the swap out?

1. Secure erase the SSD. Shut her down.
2. Take the old MB and CPU out, hook up the new MB and CPU/heat sink, etc.
3. POST/BIOS, then install the OS.
4. I do have a secondary steam file on my 1 TB HDD, so I imagine moving the files over to that one should work fine. I won't have to format that drive, correct? It should just plug via SATA and have my games, etc. on it? I can alternatively back up my other files on my 1 TB HDD.
5. Does the 4790K require a BIOS Flash? I would rather not.

M

Paul NZ · Nov 28, 2014

Depends what the new mobo is on whether it'll need a BIOS update. But if it does and the system doesnt turn on you cant flash it.

Unless, it supports something like USB BIOS flashback. Then you'll have to take it to a shop

USAFRet · Nov 28, 2014

M11293 :

Cool. I am going to go with the i7, as its only about $80-100 more compared to the i5. Any suggestions for the swap out?

1. Secure erase the SSD. Shut her down.
2. Take the old MB and CPU out, hook up the new MB and CPU/heat sink, etc.
3. POST/BIOS, then install the OS.
4. I do have a secondary steam file on my 1 TB HDD, so I imagine moving the files over to that one should work fine. I won't have to format that drive, correct? It should just plug via SATA and have my games, etc. on it? I can alternatively back up my other files on my 1 TB HDD.
5. Does the 4790K require a BIOS Flash? I would rather not.

M

#1-4, fine. #5 unknown.

M11293 · Nov 28, 2014

I was going to get a Z97-A or Z97-Pro MB. I checked the RAM compatibility on PcPartsPicker and it previously supported my current RAM (Team Elite Plus 11-11-11-28 w/ CAS of 11) in 2x8 GB. I just checked and the only compatibility is the Team Elite Plus 1x8 GB CAS 11.

Will this be an issue, or would an extra 8 GB stick work just fine with a CAS 11?

Paul NZ · Nov 28, 2014

You'll have more chance of the 4790K working with the Pro since it supports USB BIOS flashback. The A doesnt

M11293 · Nov 29, 2014

I went and got the MSI Z97 GD65, as it supports the BIOS flash. Thanks for the heads up.

Search

CPU and MB swap out... Questions...

M11293

Reputable

USAFRet

Lucias OKeefe

Honorable

M11293

Reputable

Lucias OKeefe

Honorable

USAFRet

Titan

M11293

Reputable

Paul NZ

Polypheme

USAFRet

Titan

M11293

Reputable

Paul NZ

Polypheme

M11293

Reputable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page