Can I upgrade to x99 motherboard from z97 and still keep my current windows?

[Gio1897]

I am planning to upgrade to x99 motherboard from z97 MSI gaming, but I'm not sure if my windows and all files and isntallations would be fine. I have done a switch from Gigabyte to MSI but they were both z97 boards. Can I upgrade to x99? Please let me know all I need to know, thank you very much!

 

[Colif]

what version of windows are you on? If win 10, follow the steps here and you should be able to move your current activation onto new motherboard:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

that lets you move licence but you may still need to reinstall win 10 after the fact as drivers will be different. best back up everything you cannot afford to lose before seeing if win 10 will boot on new motherboard. It migtt work or it might not boot.

 

[Chugalug_]

No you cannot upgrade to x99.
x99 boards feature the 2011-3 socket, which means that they only fit stuff like Broadwell-E and Haswell-E CPUs, also known as enthusiast CPUs.
Z97 boards have thee LGA 1150 which is the consumer Haswell socket, supporting up to a 4790k.
Any reason you want to upgrade?
An x99 board is for an x99 CPU simply put, not a Haswell.

 

[Colif]

silly me, i didn't think of that.

 

[Gio1897]

No you cannot upgrade to x99.
x99 boards feature the 2011-3 socket, which means that they only fit stuff like Broadwell-E and Haswell-E CPUs, also known as enthusiast CPUs.
Z97 boards have thee LGA 1150 which is the consumer Haswell socket, supporting up to a 4790k.
Any reason you want to upgrade?
An x99 board is for an x99 CPU simply put, not a Haswell.

I'm aware of that. I know I'll need new cpu, ddr4 ram. My question is if my windows will be able to boot on x99 board. I'm trying find that out. I will backup stuff anyway but it'll be a good time saver to find out before I upgrade.

 

[Chugalug_]

No, you'd need to install a new version of windows using either an existing copy, or a new copy if you used an OEM last time.
What is your budget for your x99 upgrade including RAM, CPU and motherboard?

 

[Gio1897]

I guess $800 would be good deal for me. I still have a windows copy. It was actually windows 8 upgraded to windows 10.

 

[Chugalug_]

What color scheme would you like, and what is your use?
When you say you already have a windows copy, is it an OEM install? Or a reusable one?

 

[Chugalug_]

Here you go.
I've put in 32GB of RAM for rendering purposes, but let me know if you're just gaming, and i'll adjust accordingly.
Same goes for overclocking, the included cooler is massive, and overkill if you're not planning on OCing.
White and black build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($369.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($88.33 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus X99-A II ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($225.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $824.30
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-21 04:22 EDT-0400

Red and black build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($369.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($88.33 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty X99X Killer ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($226.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $815.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-21 04:25 EDT-0400

 

[Gio1897]

I currently have black and white so I'll try to find similar to that. My windows 8 copy is reusable not OEM. Do you know is win10 upgrade is still free?

 

[Gio1897]

That looks good. Thanks. I'd like to do some overclocking and I already have a cooler so I'll use it, and looks like it'll be under $800. Thanks for your time.

 

[Chugalug_]

Well, technically the offer ended last month, but there is still a method you can obtain it through.
It involves going to this page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade?tduid=(14c348e893a91089cb2980533c6ee123)(256380)(2459594)(TnL5HPStwNw-0FBZfNm6YPFXNhiu3o52rA)()
And manually downloading from the page intended to be a "free upgrade for customers who use assistive technologies", although it doesn't actually get you to confirm in any way rather than check a box.
Still a way to get a free upgrade to Windows 10.

 

[Chugalug_]

That looks good. Thanks. I'd like to do some overclocking and I already have a cooler so I'll use it, and looks like it'll be under $800. Thanks for your time.

No problem!
Enjoy!