New SSD, re-installing windows + upgrading MoBo and processor.

[turre2]

Hello!

I've got a small multitude of questions, and I'm not 100% certain this is the right place for this thread. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I acquired a new SSD hard drive last Black Friday, the Samsung 850 Evo, 500GB. I'm going to use it in my current, already a bit outdated but still in daily gaming and general use.
I understand that an SSD is a bit of a waste if the OS is not installed onto it. Hence I'm facing a Windows re-install or migration. I think the migration could work out as well since my current C: is about 350gb, but because I haven't reinstalled Win in like 5 years, I thinks it's about time to do that.

Is this the right order to go through that process?
Connect SSD to my current setup - disconnect old HDD - Install Windows on SSD - set up Windows to start from SSD - reconnect old HDD - Save wanted files/programs from C: and wipe C: ?
My current HDD is 1TB, and it is partitioned to two part, C: and D:, both at 455GB. Windows and some programs are in C: while all my photos, videos and personal files are on D:. If I make a regular "format C:" wipe, will my D: drive stay untouched or is there a special way to go through this?

And to keep things from getting too simple, I figured that since I'm gonna reinstall Windows anyway, why not upgrade my motherboard and processor at the same time. I've been considering getting a MSI X370 Gaming Pro Carbon and either Ryzen 3 1300X or Ryzen 5 1400.
What would be the correct order to install these parts alongside the new SSD and Windows?
Would the correct spot be when I've disconnected the HDD, to insert new mobo + processor, then connect SSD - windows - and so on?

Right now those would be the only parts to upgrade. Does that make any sense? My current graphics card is a GTX 670.
Right now I mostly play Rainbow Six Siege and Rocket league. With my current setup the FPS ranges in between 30 and 50 fps, with occasional drops Siege still has the GTX 670 as the "recommended" card in their system requirements.

Current setup:

AMD Athlon II X4 640 (3,0ghz)
8GB of value ram
Gigabyte GTX 670 Windforce 2x, 2GB?
1TB HDD
Superflower 80+Gold 600w
Windows 7

Apologies for the wall of text. I want be thorough when I explain stuff.

 

[unclebun]

If you are going to get a new motherboard and processor, then the steps are:

1. Turn off computer and unplug it
2. remove motherboard from case
3. Install new motherboard and cpu into case, add SSD and video card.
4. Install Windows. Use the Media Creation Tool to download and then install Windows 10 using your current Windows 7 product key, unless you still want to use Windows 7.
5. Install all device drivers.
6. Turn off computer.
7. Install your old hard drive.
8. Move anything you want to save off your old C: drive onto the D: drive or the SSD. You generally cannot just "move" a program to your new Windows installation. You have to install the program using the disk or setup file. However some programs will be able to use your old preferences and customizations by copying the appropriate folder. Others, like Thunderbird or Firefox, have you copy folder contents to the new profile folder. Of note, since your SSD will be the C: drive, the partitions on the old hard drive will have new letters.
9. Once you have everything you want from the old C: drive, you have to decide how many partitions you want. If you want to still have that drive partitioned in two, formatting the C: will leave it blank for you. But if you want the 1TB drive to be just one partition, it's a little more convoluted. You'll have to format C: (quick format is fine), then copy everything on D: onto C:. Once that's done, use Disk Management to delete the D: partition, and then extend the unallocated space onto C:

 

[turre2]

Thanks a bunch for the super clear instructions unclebun!

Additional question: Do you think that now would be the time to move on to Windows 10? I skipped the free upgrade on purpose when it was available, and planned to stick with Win 7. Not for any particular reason, just didn't want the hassle the upgrade seemed to give to people. Old OS hasn't caused any troubles yet.

 

[USAFRet]

Using your current Win 7 license to upgrade to Win 10 for free may not work anymore.
There was an unofficial cutoff of Dec 31.

And your existing Win 7 license may not activate on all new hardware (motherboard).
So you may be buying a new OS license, either way you go...Win 7 or 10.

And yes, I recommend moving to Win 10.

But whichever OS you go with, you'll need to do a complete clean install on the new hardware.
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-3567655/clean-installation-windows.html

 

[Calvin7]

Windows 7 is not a supported OS for that motherboard.
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/X370-GAMING-PRO-CARBON.html