Building gaming computer (First time PC user) so what version of 7?

[DavidJones47]

Hello, I'm a mac user that's building a PC for the first time so I can play games and I don't know what version of 7 to get. I want to get the 7 OEM but I'm not really sure what buying it fully entails. In the tumb-taked post it said that you can only have it on 1 computer at a time and that you get no support (I don't mean to put windows people down but after reading this I'm glad my primary computer is a mac). My PC build is $400 and I really don't want to spend another 200 just to get the OS. So... will the OEM work for me? Will I need windows support (I've installed Ubuntu on a PC before so I know generally how to install an OS)? What about switching out components? Can I switch out any component (including hard drive, CPU, and MOBO) without having to buy 7 OEM again? Generally, what I'm asking is, giving my situation what problems could I run into getting the OEM instead of throwing down 200 on the full version?

Thanks, any help would be great!

 

[nikorr]

Get Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

 

[DavidJones47]

Get Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

But what about my other stuff? Can I swap the parts?

 

[Ohmybad]

yes, windows is saved onto your Hard drive, you can swap out any parts, even the hard drive, just have to re-install windows. once you own the CD key it's yours, you can only have one CD key in use @ once so you cannot Key Share.

 

[nikorr]

OEM vs. Retail by The_Prophecy
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/242612-44-retail

Windows 7 Compatibility Center
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx

 

[nikorr]

[fixed]Can I switch out any component (including hard drive, CPU, and MOBO) without having to buy 7 OEM again? Generally, what I'm asking is, giving my situation what problems could I run into getting the OEM instead of throwing down 200 on the full version?[/fixed]

If u think that u will switch the mobo, it is possible to negotiate with MS if your mobo is fried, so u need a new one, other components are OK to change, like HDD's SSD's RAM audio card or video card.

 

[DavidJones47]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I don't plan on swapping this MOBO for a while (at least 2 years). I also was reading that a lot of people will just activate their new MOBO by calling up Microsoft and telling them their first board is fried. It looks like a have a plan.

 

[nikorr]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I don't plan on swapping this MOBO for a while (at least 2 years). I also was reading that a lot of people will just activate their new MOBO by calling up Microsoft and telling them their first board is fried. It looks like a have a plan.

You know DavidJones47, its the best to do the homework first, and be worry free.

Some people don't do that and they just get mad by making the wrong decisions.

 

[DavidJones47]

Nikorr, yeah, good advise. I think one of my brothers has the windows home thing that can be on multiple computers so I'll see if that works otherwise I'm going to have to get the OEM because I just can't afford the other version.