Upgrading CPU and Motherboard

[osirius]

Alright so I bought my first computer when I was in college a couple years back, mainly for school and whatnot so I bought this thing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147990 .

Not long after I got into computer gaming and I bought an Nvidia gtx 470, and a thermaltake 750w power supply. I threw both of those into the hp computer. I've been doing well with that setup for a while but I'd like to start upgrading, as I've had problems with heat inside the terrible case and with some fans not working.

Anyway I have decided to purchase: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147158 as my case.

I also decided to upgrade my cpu and motherboard at the same time. Now I'm not new to messing with computers, but I have not messed with the motherboard or cpu as of yet. I looked around but I settled on: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103962 for the cpu.

So before I bought anything I wanted to get some opinions from you guys. I don't know much at all about motherboards so I was hoping you guys could recommend one. Also I was trying to keep the budget total for all of this at around 300$.

Thank you guys so much for any help!

 

[popatim]

$300 might not cut it. Windows will not transfer over from the HP fwiw.

The closest I could come with decent stuff below at $310 (unless I cant add)

Motherbd $84 with $10 off w/ promo code EMCXWVV42:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131873

Processor $125 after $15 promo code EMCYTZT2840 ( you really want the 6300 over the 6100:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286

And your case is $100 after rebate and promo code (which is a pretty decent deal)

 

[osirius]

Hey thanks for the reply. So the 6300 is that much better huh lol, I think I could swing for getting that one. Also thanks for the motherboard recommendation, will that one work with the gtx 470 I have right now? And about an operating system, that was the one thing I wasn't sure about. So with a new motherboard I would need to purchase a new Windows?

 

[popatim]

Yes the 6300 is well worth the extra $20

Yes the 470 will work in almost every motherbd

No, Windows wont transfer so yes you will need to get another copy. Windows *might* be able to boot up and actually install the new drivers but its a crap shoot and you'd never be able to validate again

 

[iceclock]

yes the 6300 is that much better.

and the combo popatim recommanded would work nicely.

 

[osirius]

Awesome, thanks for the help. I have one more question. If I replace the motherboard and cpu, but keep the same hard drive, will everything I have on my computer still be there. Or will I need to backup everything beforehand?

 

[iceclock]

no ull have to do a complere fresh install, id recommand doing a backup first, so u dont lose any data. than do a fresh install

 

[JesterHead89]

Running sysprep from the command line won't open the hard drive to being "connected" to the new motherboard? I was under the impression that the Windows validation count would be reset and basically "open", as if it was being paired up with the new motherboard all along.

I'm considering an upgrade to my current mobo/CPU, and this topic applies to me too. The research I did pointed me in the direction of sysprep, so I thought I'd bring it up here for the discussion.