Any tips for swapping a motherboard?

you will have to (most likely) reinstall windows, and to put you CPU, CPU cooler on first

Umm, what do you mean?

Just unscrew your old board, make sure everything is unplugged from it, screw in your new one, and plug everything back in.

Well, you're going to be switching pretty much everything!

You're swapping the CPU if you're going from AMD to Intel, which likely means a new cooler unless you kept all your brackets.
You're going to be moving from an old DDR3 RAM to new DDR4 which means you need new RAM.
Your storage devices will need to be removed for back-up purposes and wiped for a clean install, which means that you are basically swapping out that too.

Really the only things that are going to be the same are the PSU and the case!

oh crap, i didn't catch the "AMD to intel" ._.

You may have to reactivate windows, if your using an OEM key you may have problems reactivating it. I like to put the power supply in first and get your cables run, I had a problem where I couldn't fit my cpu power cable connector through the hole behind the motherboard tray with the mobo in place to connect it without running it right through the center of my case. Put the IO plate on before you install the motherboard. Use and ESD wrist strap if you have one, if not just don't do this on carpet or something and touch the case or something heavy and steel to discharge yourself before you touch the mobo to be extra careful.

Just be gentle. There are clips on the GFX card(if installed) and most all of your power cables that are attached to the motherboard. Those need to be pressed prior to removing them from the board. Be very gentle with the wires coming from the front of the case that plug into the board. Those are called leads. Most leads are marked http://i.fixya.net/uploads/images/66ce2fc.jpg with information that tells the user where each lead goes. Without those markings installation can become a chore. Some marking can be removed with too much handling. Just be careful. There are normally 6 screws that attach the board to the case. The included manual should be very helpful getting that new motherboard installed. There are orientation marks on your CPU and your motherboard. Pay close attention to the corners. One should have a triangle(or circle) http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/201206/installAM3HSF_22.jpg or the corner of the CPU may be angled differently from the rest. Install it another way and there will be issues and an unhappy installer. Make sure you know your case. Does the case have a cutout



behind the CPU? If you are buying an aftermarket CPU cooler such as the 212 Evo you will need to install the support bracket beneath the motherboard as shown in that pic. IF that doesn't exist you would have to have the motherboard outside the case to install the CPU cooler. If you have a stock cooler the motherboard can be installed first and no cutout is usually necessary.

Just plan each step and visualize it before you actually do it yourself. Never force anything. The RAM modules have orientation slots which show the user how they should be installed. The motherboard manual will also tell you how to install the RAM and which slots they should be installed in if all slots won't be populated.

Like the others have said re-installation of Windows is normally a requirement when changing out motherboards. You can change RAM, HDD/SSD, GFX, PSU, Case/Chassis/Cabinet) or any other part of your PC without affecting your Windows validation. When the motherboard is switched out then Windows see that as a new PC and the serial key is usually invalidated.

And of course the community is here should you run into any issues you need some help with.

Do you have your new CPU and RAM picked out?