Compatibility Check Gaming PC

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
T

TreyInc

Reputable
Dec 16, 2014
116
0
4,690
I'm changing these components in my PC;

CPU
CPU Cooler
Thermal Compound
Motherboard
Ram
PSU

New Parts; http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Kaelras/saved/#view=CgjTwP

I just need help verifying if the parts I selected are good parts or at least decent. After this upgrade I intend to have this build for a while and I have some concern with Skylake. A friend told me Skylake is only compatible with Windows 10 and my I only have a Windows 8 activation code. My plan was to get Windows 8 then get the free upgrade to windows 10 but I'm worried it won't even boot.

So long story short I wanted to know if I should just run the i5 4690K, my main concern lies with the ram and motherboard compatibility along with skylake and any other os besides Windows 10.
 
Solution
larkspur
Well, what will happen with an OEM key is once you get it to boot-up properly with the new mobo then at some point Windows is going to tell you that it is non-genuine. Since I've never dealt with that directly I'm not exactly sure what will happen so I'm speculating but I think you will be given the option to make it genuine by entering a valid key. So it may be possible to get it working without having to completely reinstall Windows and all your programs but you'll still need to buy a new windows key (if your current key is Windows 8.1 then you'll need a new Windows 8.1 key) to make it work again. All of that is just speculation as I have no direct experience with that, but I'm thinking its possible as long as you buy a new key...
Sort by date Sort by votes
larkspur

larkspur

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
2,252
111
20,640

That should be fine then. That's a nice motherboard and a very nice PSU. You shouldn't have any problems. As assassin mentioned you could spend a little more on a slightly nicer cpu cooler - it might help you get a better OC.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

TreyInc

Reputable
Dec 16, 2014
116
0
4,690
So when I change my motherboard, will my current operating system be wiped? I'm assuming it won't because my os id on my hdd and not on my motherboard. If it does get wiped I have the windows 8.1 product key and after that I'll download windows 10.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
larkspur

larkspur

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
2,252
111
20,640
If it is a RETAIL Win 8.1 key then you can switch motherboards without buying a new key. If it is an OEM product key then you will have to buy a new windows key. Even if it is a retail key then switching motherboards will likely cause Windows to have problems booting because the old mobo drivers are in place and the new mobo drivers are not. That can usually be resolved by booting into safe mode, uninstalling the old drivers and installing the new drivers... it can get kind of dicey and most of us recommend a fresh install of Windows whenever changing mobos. But like I said, if its an OEM windows key then you will not be able to use that key when changing motherboards. OEM keys can only be installed on one system (usually defined by the motherboard) only. Retail keys give you the flexibility to retire an older system and install them on a newer system.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

TreyInc

Reputable
Dec 16, 2014
116
0
4,690


Well then, I guess I'm screwed. So I'll have to re download all of my programs along with my operating system? There are so many versions of Windows like professional and ultimate, can you suggest what version I should buy? Obviously windows 10 due to directx 12 and cleaner ui imo, but do I really have to buy windows 10? Maybe I should just buy Windows 8.1 and get the free Windows 10 upgrade. I just don't know

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
assassin445522

assassin445522

Reputable
Mar 13, 2015
1,355
0
5,460
yes you have to do a fresh install, it is much easier that way, its not worth it to try to keep everything, you can buy windows 7 and upgrade to ten, you need a retail code (meaning you bought windows and put in the key yourself)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

TreyInc

Reputable
Dec 16, 2014
116
0
4,690


So how do I prepare for this, do I shutdown my PC with everything there or do I wipe it all and save my important files on an external drive. Also, do I need to download the updated version of my new motherboard's bios or can I just choose the connect to internet if it's even reliable.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
larkspur

larkspur

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
2,252
111
20,640
Well, what will happen with an OEM key is once you get it to boot-up properly with the new mobo then at some point Windows is going to tell you that it is non-genuine. Since I've never dealt with that directly I'm not exactly sure what will happen so I'm speculating but I think you will be given the option to make it genuine by entering a valid key. So it may be possible to get it working without having to completely reinstall Windows and all your programs but you'll still need to buy a new windows key (if your current key is Windows 8.1 then you'll need a new Windows 8.1 key) to make it work again. All of that is just speculation as I have no direct experience with that, but I'm thinking its possible as long as you buy a new key. If you like, you might try posting that specific question in Tom's Windows forum but make sure you explain that you would be buying a new key otherwise they'll think you are just trying to pirate windows and they won't help you. Provided you are willing to buy a new key and are just trying to avoid having to do a fresh install of all your programs, it is a very reasonable question. Hope that helps.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
T

TreyInc

Reputable
Dec 16, 2014
116
0
4,690


Alright, I'll see if I can get any more details to help me resolve this issue over there, thank you for your contribution and have a great day.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
larkspur

larkspur

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
2,252
111
20,640
Well, I hope it all works out. As assassin said, most everybody is going to tell you that with a new mobo, a fresh install is the way to go and I agree with that but I also understand that reinstalling a million apps is a pain. I do know that you can backup your steam library (and some other games like Blizzard's games and Star Wars: TOR)to a different volume so you don't have to totally re-download everything. But it's not true for every game and every program. Anyway, good luck!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

TreyInc

Reputable
Dec 16, 2014
116
0
4,690


Nah it's fine I have 75mbps down so a clean install will help me separate the clutter from what I actually want. Re-downloading my most played games will take 10-20 minutes at most.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
larkspur

larkspur

Distinguished
Mar 10, 2011
2,252
111
20,640
Ok cool. One other thing - if you plan to use Windows 10 then why not just buy Windows 10? Then you don't have to go through all that silly 7 to 10 or 8 to 10 upgrade-process (which sounds like it isn't ideal for a fresh installation). I haven't looked at prices for it but aren't they charging the same for 10 as they are for 8 and 7?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

TreyInc

Reputable
Dec 16, 2014
116
0
4,690


Yeah I would assume so since getting 7-8 is practically the same as getting 10 since it's free.

 
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