New motherboard - Win10 OEM or Full?

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nlightningmusic

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Right now I've got an HP computer that came preinstalled with Windows Vista, which was later upgraded to Windows 7. The license is OEM, which I heard is locked to this motherboard and can't be transferred.

But I'm about to build a new system using the original components (replacing my motherboard and processor with an AMD FX), but it seems like I'll have to invest in a new copy of Windows. In this case, is it best to buy a full or OEM version? Or does it make a difference, seeing as I'll probably never upgrade the OS again on this build? (my last few computers have lasted at least a decade each - I keep them clean and they keep running for years.)

[Bonus - would I be able to reinstall Windows 7 on the old motherboard using an install/repair disc and the OEM license if I ever built a new system using this mobo and CPU?]

Thanks a lot, guys! Seems like there's tons of topics like this, but I also want to get right to the heart of my question immediately before I start spending any money.
 
Solution
captaincharisma
if your copy is OEM then yes. if your copy of windows was a retail version you would be able to make as many changes as you want and it will stay activated. you can go for a retail copy of windows if you do plan on doing anymore big hardware changes in the future but a retail copy is more expensive then OEM
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Dark Lord of Tech

Dark Lord of Tech

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captaincharisma

captaincharisma

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if your copy is OEM then yes. if your copy of windows was a retail version you would be able to make as many changes as you want and it will stay activated. you can go for a retail copy of windows if you do plan on doing anymore big hardware changes in the future but a retail copy is more expensive then OEM
 
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nlightningmusic

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Cool. Easy, straightforward answers - looks like OEM is for me then. I don't get so bogged down about not having the latests OS - I used XP well into Vista's timeline, and have actually been using WIndows 7 since 2009 now. Only upgrading because I want a better processor and motherboard :) For that matter, I'm also increasing my RAM and getting a dedicated GPU. Woohoo!

One more question, though!
Should I get a new hard drive and set aside the old hard drive with the old Windows 7 installation on it (obviously after transferring all my content)? or, if I transferred my contents and wiped this drive to install Windows 10, would I ever be able to reinstall Windows 7 using the old motherboard, a new hard drive, an install/repair disc, and the OEM license if I ever built a new system using the old mobo?
 
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captaincharisma

captaincharisma

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as long as you still have the old windows 7 key to reactivate it you will be able to do a fresh install after getting all your impotent data off it.

 
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