P67 replacement ---> Z68? Z77? Want to keep existing Win7 Install if possible

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hogan773

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I posted elsewhere that I think my AsRock P67 Extreme4 just bit the dust. Will check with a new PSU, but assuming it is dead, what is best mobo to get where I can 1) re-use all existing components (2600K, Ripjaws DDR3 ram, Radeon 5670, Antec 380W PSU AND 2) have a fighting chance that my current Win7 installation can boot successfully without having to reload everything. I have a pre-SP1 OEM disc and would really prefer not to have to go down the path of starting from scratch on a Win7 install and reloading all of my programs.

Seems P67 mobos are hard to find. Will a Z68 board be similar enough that the Win7 install can just run immediately? Any reason to get Z77? (I am assuming LGA1155 here so to avoid having to spend another 200-300 on a new CPU, too....) If I found a different mfr P67 board does that increase chances that Windows boots or is it more important to stick with AsRock (i.e. does windows just see "p67" or does the manufacturer matter?)

I am not a gamer, just a home user. Want path of least resistance and cost at this point as my 2600K was serving me well, and I don't think I really care about an extra 15% theoretical speed in some benchmark if it means I need to start over from scratch with Windows and also shell out hundreds more for a Haswell.

Thanks in advance
 
Solution
Woody1999
A new motherboard is a new motherboard. If a PC detects something different, it will most likely warn you. Normally, if you keep the same processor, a different motherboard should be okay to use if you boot into safe mode and install the new drivers from there.

Woody
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hogan773

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Is there any benefit to trying to stick with a P67 or Z68 on the aspect of allowing my current Win7 install to boot up? i.e. is Z75 or Z77 "different enough" that Win7 drive won't boot at all, while P67 or Z68 replacement mobo would be "invisible" to the Windows system? That is the part I'm confused about

Thanks
 
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ulysses35

ulysses35

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In theory by using the Z75 Pro3 Motherboard you should be able to boot in safe mode and use the newer drivers. However there is no guarantee that you will not encounter problems. I have been successful in the past making a similar upgrade / mobo swap using the Windows 7 CD to perform a boot repair...
 
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Woody1999

Woody1999

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A new motherboard is a new motherboard. If a PC detects something different, it will most likely warn you. Normally, if you keep the same processor, a different motherboard should be okay to use if you boot into safe mode and install the new drivers from there.

Woody
 
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hogan773

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Thanks guys

When I plugged in a Dell PSU to the 24 pin last night and had the original Antec still plugged to the CPU power , I smelled some hot smell. I was trying to see if the 24pin cord from the PSU was bad. Any chance I did something to fry my CPU?

I guess I won't know until I get a new mobo and then see if the CPU is still alive.....and at that point I can then try to get the best LGA1155 cpu that would still work on my "new" mobo I guess.....unless returning the mobo is possible and starting over with Z97 and a newer CPU. Prob still cheaper to Ebay another 2500K or 2700K or Ivy Bridge I guess, as I don't know what I'd need from a Z97 for a normal home PC that I wouldn't already be getting from the Z77.

Also should I just buy a new PSU or if the current one still works, can it work for another several years? I don't know what the expected lifespan is of a PSU and this one is 4 yrs old.
 
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hogan773

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Ok so I am super happy and also super embarrassed that I spent the better part of a day at work worrying and researching new Mobos and CPUs etc.



Went on the way home from work and got a new PSU from BB. After I got the kids to bed I pulled out the PC onto my table and got to work. First thing I did was check connections and then DISCONNECT THAT FRONT PANEL USB HEADER from the mobo. And wouldn't you know it, but the board came to life when I pressed the power button!

Never cracked open the new PSU. The Antec is still fine. Everything was due to that darned front USB port.


Sheeeeeettttt.



Everything seems to be working again (except for the front panel USBs that my son and his friend somehow mashed in while trying to insert lord-knows-what kind of game pad into my poor PC. Isn't that why they have PS3 AND Wii AND I-fugging-Pad??????



Anyway.....many thanks for the advice and I'm super happy that I don't need to do anything, now.



But this got me thinking....beyond backing up my data to several other places, is there anything I can do to the C: operating system partition to ease a future transition where I need to replace mobo and/or CPU? Or just hope that the windows partition can do a safe boot onto the new hardware and then I call Microsoft and get them to reactivate?



Thanks guys
 
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