Changing Motherboard and CPU

[PerfectionSX]

Hi guys, so my question is what is the best way to change my motherboard and cpu? I currently have AMD motherboard and CPU, I'm gonna change it to Intel. What's the easiest way to do this? Do i need to clean everything on my hard drive and start over? Reinstall window? Can someone walk me through what to do. Thank You.

 

[Ubrales]

Short answer is YES.

You will need a new license of Windows, and this may be a good time to replace the HDD to either a newer faster HDD or a suitable SSD.

The steps are similar to building a new PC. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building

 

[Wolfshadw]

You *MAY* need a new license. Microsoft changed the license agreement for Windows 8 OEM to allow it to be transferred to a new motherboard. Windows 7 OEM is still tied to the original motherboard it was installed on.

-Wolf sends

 

[geofelt]

Because the chipsets are different, your current windows installation will not have the drivers necessary to boot and install new drivers.
Here is a procedure, but I have not tested it:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

What I suggest is to buy a ssd of suitable size to work with. 240gb if you can.
Samsung has a nice transfer utility to image your current os to a Samsung ssd.
You can then try the procedure above if reinstalling apps is a big pain.
Run windows easy transfer to export your settings.
You will get a report on which apps need to be reinstalled.

Disconnect your hard drive so you will not lose anything.
Install windows on the ssd and run easy transfer to import your settings.
You can reattach your hard drive and your files will be available.

Your apps will need to be reinstalled because you will have built a clean registry.

If your current os is windows 7 retail or upgrade, you should haveno problem with reactivating.
If it is OEM, try to reactivate but windows will detect that your motherboard has changed and you will be invited to do a phone activation.
Technically, you need a new license, but odds are good that you can transfer the license.
The key question to answer is to say that this os is used on NO other pc.
On windows 8, I don't know, but I think it no longer has that transfer restriction.