Want to Upgrade, but What Steps Should I take

Sep 22, 2018
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Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade my current build right now.

i5 6600k ---> i7 8700k

some B150M mobo ----> some z370 mobo

gtx 1070 ----> gtx 1080 ti (?)

8 gb ddr3 ram ----> 16 gb ddr4 ram



now with these upgrades I know how to build and assemble these, but I'm not sure about the software. Is there anything I should do prior to swapping/changing all these parts? Like how the OS is "tied" to my mobo. What should I do prior to switching my parts? Do I have to do anything with my PC prior to switching to my new parts? like any software things I need to do

Thanks
 
Solution
changing the motherboard means a fresh windows installation. windows is getting batter at handling such changes but a fresh install is still the way to go to avoid possible problems down the line. if you do that, then you won't have any driver issues or other potential problem with the new hardware and the old windows install.

you tie your win 10 to your MS account and then it'll reactivate once your up and running again. follow their guide.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
Sep 22, 2018
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1. What do you mean by just having my windows key? I don't know it anymore and I've lost the product number. Is there a way to tie it with my microsoft account?
2. And I'm using the same HDDs/SSD, do I have to worry about the backups?
Thanks for the reply
 

Math Geek

Titan
Ambassador
changing the motherboard means a fresh windows installation. windows is getting batter at handling such changes but a fresh install is still the way to go to avoid possible problems down the line. if you do that, then you won't have any driver issues or other potential problem with the new hardware and the old windows install.

you tie your win 10 to your MS account and then it'll reactivate once your up and running again. follow their guide.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
 
Solution
1: Tying the Windows install to a Microsoft account is the most important thing, as Math Geek points out, this way the install and licence will follow you although there MAY be activation issues if you have a Builders or OEM licence.
This MUST be done before you make any hardware changes, and once done you won't need the key number BTW.

2: Depends on what is on what drive: Installed software must be reinstalled after a reinstall of Windows. Data can be preserved by using the reinstall option rather than the clean install option-I forget the wording but one option during the Windows install will give you the option to keep your files and data, the other will essentially nuke the system and start from scratch.
Yes, you should do at least a little backing up, even if it's just your bookmarked websites, if you have masses of raw data like movies or photos on HDD try using the Windows disc management tools to repartition the HDD so you can move this data to the new partition for safekeeping ( search: Disk, there should be an option taking you to the create disk partitions tool ).
If you don't have much data stored, you can clean out the entire storage system: Format the HDD from within Windows then do a clean install to the SSD.


Last point: If you have lost the original Windows ( and I'll assume Win 10 ) disc you can create a new disc or bootable USB drive to install from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 I suggest you get a good quality 16Gb drive, if you don't already have one handy for the download.