installing new GPU

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I am about to upgrade my GPU from a GTX 950 2 GB to a GTX 1050 Ti 4GB SC, I was wondering if I had to uninstall my 950 drivers before plugging in my 1050, or can I just do a "clean" install for the 1050?
Also, bonus question, I will be upgrading everything from the motherboard to the CPU going from AMD to Intel, I was wondering what I can do to wipe all the drivers but keep all the stuff on the HDD?
 
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Install the new parts, and then do the clean install on first boot. Just create a recovery drive before you install the new hardware and go into the new bios and choose to boot from that. It will launch the W10 recovery tool and you can reinstall from there. A USB stick works fine.

As for the activation key, I cannot tell you 100% that your previous method will work with the new hardware. Windows will let you...
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Pokererere1

Pokererere1

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I'd remove your drivers just just to not make any issues down the road.

At that point, you should do a clean install of Windows. Either get DropBox/Google Drive/etc... and place personal files in there.
 
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manddy123

manddy123

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Aug 25, 2016
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Any graphic related drivers, use DDU to uninstall them: https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html , it's the safest option to remove any unwanted graphic drivers.

To keep your files from the HDD, since you're doing a full upgrade, a fresh Windows install really is advised to have as little problems as possible.

So you will want to do a manual backup. Save everything you want/need ( files, music, pics, etc. ) in a portable HDD or in a cloud service then copy them all back after the windows installation.
 
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BadBoyGreek

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When changing your GPU, it's always best to clean the old drivers first before installing the new card. Use Display Driver Uninstaller to do so.

As for changing your setup from AMD to Intel, you can't just wipe all your existing drivers, change your hardware and then reinstall... you'll need to reinstall Windows clean. Get a spare drive, back up the data you want first, then install clean and copy your data back.
 
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brapadap

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You don't need to reinstall drivers for an upgrade from a 9 series to a 10 series. If there are newer drivers that you dont currently have installed, you may want to install those with the new card just for freshness' sake and I would recommend following the steps already given to you in doing so. Check the version of GPU drivers you have installed with the 9 series and make sure they are compatible with the 10, I just looked at the most current driver (382.53) and they are. When you install the new card the drivers will work for it. I've popped many different cards in and out of various machines doing spec checks on various apps and have never had do anything driver related as long as the drivers worked with the card I was putting in. Sometimes I'm doing this 5-10x a day depending on what I'm working on. Every WHQL driver release that has been compatible with the 10 has been compatible with the 9 series so far.

As for the AMD to Intel switch, reinstalling Windows clean is the only truly safe option. There's methods to do the switch without doing this, but I'd only advise it for advanced users as you have to do a lot of uninstalling of drivers/registry stuff/and other files that are inherent to the particular chipset you're coming from/going to.

Keep in mind that when you do the chipset (AMD to Intel) switch, if your Windows 10 is the free upgrade you will have to purchase a new activation code as Microsoft will recognize your new mobo as a brand new device. I believe that also goes for the OEM version of Windows 10. The retail version will allow a hardware switch.
 
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What I did when I built this PC was I deleted the key from my laptop's windows 10 and installed windows 10 pro to a usb and used the key on that, will I run into problems with that, also, when I do the switch from AMD to Intel, should I install the new parts, then do the clean install, or should I do it afterwards?
 
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brapadap

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Install the new parts, and then do the clean install on first boot. Just create a recovery drive before you install the new hardware and go into the new bios and choose to boot from that. It will launch the W10 recovery tool and you can reinstall from there. A USB stick works fine.

As for the activation key, I cannot tell you 100% that your previous method will work with the new hardware. Windows will let you know after it attempts the first update. Check your MS account that you log into and make sure that the key is tied to your account, then log into that account once you complete your switch/reinstallation. If it gives you the "Needs activation" message, follow this and if its possible it will allow you to switch.
 
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