Building a New PC and Wondering About Using Old HDD

[Flawsom]

Hello, I am going to be building a new PC but I am in a bit of a dilemma. I have an internal HDD from my old PC that I could possibly use in the new build. This would save me the headache of installing all my games and mods individually. I also have a new internal HDD that I bought to go in the new PC. I also have an old external HDD that I have been using for a year or so if that is vital info. I have a few questions. I only have one SATA cable for the time being, so should I install the old HDD in the new PC now and wait to install the clean HDD? If so, should I go ahead and install Windows 8.1 to that old HDD after I install it to the new PC? Also, if I am going to be using the old HDD in the new PC with a new OS, are there any problems or things that I should be aware of? Thank you for your help.

Edit: The old HDD has Windows 7 on it. Forgot to mention that.

 

[KyleIT]

I would use the old HDD on the new PC and run windows 7 until the SATA cable comes and then once it arrives install windows 8.1 onto the new HDD and make the new HDD 1st in the boot sequence on the PC

 

[Vogner16]

ok new pc likely has different chipsets and componets so you will have driver errors when trying to boot to the old HDD but with windows 7 it (should) work. before you do any of this make sure you know what the key is for the old OS and the new OS. it will more than likely ask for it when you first get it to boot if you can get it to work.

the new HDD will likely be faster as new drives has better tech in them aka faster rpm and more cache etc...

for the lazy person who wants to upgrade fast and rather half ass then just pluging the old drive in should be fine.

I personally would reinstall windows 7 from the CD and all of your games from scratch. get all updated drivers and do the whole time consuming process on the new HDD and then transfer files you need from the old one before formatting it. it will be more bug free and faster in the long run.

you can just copy the game files from a third drive instead of redownloading them to save time.

most new motherboard come with several SATA cables look in that box for extras