Switching from AMD to Intel

[LePenguin01]

I'm switching from AMD to Intel due to my FX-8320 bottle-necking my GTX 1070. I have 0 experience with Intel and all I know is an Intel motherboard is needed. I need help choosing an Intel CPU since there are many. I'll need one that'll be great for CPU intensive games. I also need help choosing a budget motherboard with it.

 

[mrmez]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-cpus,3986.html

That's a start.

 

[aquielisunari]

I'm switching from AMD to Intel due to my FX-8320 bottle-necking my GTX 1070. I have 0 experience with Intel and all I know is an Intel motherboard is needed. I need help choosing an Intel CPU since there are many. I'll need one that'll be great for CPU intensive games. I also need help choosing a budget motherboard with it.

You need a budget? That means we need a budget when choosing compatible hardware. Can you please suggest a budget for the CPU and the motherboard. We also need to know your PC education level and if you are a novice if you plan on educating yourself. In other words, if you plan on OC'ing in the future. There are MB's that allow you overclock with a click of a mouse or with a simple multiplier change(to a point).

 

[lasik124]

Honestly I would wait to see what AMD puts out. Even if you don't go with AMD I would see if that helps pricing at all. First number out of the 4 numbers is generation. Second number is speed of that chip (i3, vs i5 vs i7) letters after may indicate if unlocked or not.

 

[LePenguin01]

My bad, my budget for the motherboard will be $80~90ish. As for OC, yes. (As long as its within the budget). As for the upcoming AMD Ryzen, not sure...

 

[rhysiam]

My bad, my budget for the motherboard will be $80~90ish. As for OC, yes. (As long as its within the budget). As for the upcoming AMD Ryzen, not sure...

Definitely wait for Ryzen. We should have details at least, if not full launch reviews in early March, like 4 weeks away. Things are looking promising for Ryzen, hopefully it will shake up the price/performance market. As @lasik says, even if you're determined to stick with Intel, a successful Ryzen launch might just push Intel to shift on pricing. Even if, at worst, Ryzen turns out to be a flop or is priced really high, then you've only lost maybe 4-5 weeks.

 

[Paul NZ]

But if you change from AMD to Intel, you'll also have to reinstall windows.

 

[aquielisunari]

My bad, my budget for the motherboard will be $80~90ish. As for OC, yes. (As long as its within the budget). As for the upcoming AMD Ryzen, not sure...

C'mon man... Looking to help. There is not that possibility with only $80 to about $90 for a CPU and motherboard. Complete budget if you please.

 

[aquielisunari]

But if you change from AMD to Intel, you'll also have to reinstall windows.

It was my understanding that the OS is now connected to the users M$ account as long as it's connected to there OS.

 

[LePenguin01]

I stated 80~90 for the motherboard. Intel CPU can be any price.

 

[rhysiam]

But if you change from AMD to Intel, you'll also have to reinstall windows.

It was my understanding that the OS is now connected to the users M$ account as long as it's connected to there OS.

Reinstalling Windows is almost certainly required with a major platform change. The question is whether you can successfully reactivate your copy of Windows, avoiding the need to purchase another license.

That probably works, but there's a bit blurry line between "significant hardware change" (permitted and legal) and "entirely new system" (not permitted). Still, try it at least and see what happens.

 

[lfkfkfkffs]

There is a big difference between a companies terms of service and something being legal.

 

[aquielisunari]

But if you change from AMD to Intel, you'll also have to reinstall windows.

It was my understanding that the OS is now connected to the users M$ account as long as it's connected to there OS.

Reinstalling Windows is almost certainly required with a major platform change. The question is whether you can successfully reactivate your copy of Windows, avoiding the need to purchase another license.

That probably works, but there's a bit blurry line between "significant hardware change" (permitted and legal) and "entirely new system" (not permitted). Still, try it at least and see what happens.

Used to be blurry https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change if you make a significant hardware change later, such as replacing the motherboard

 

[LePenguin01]

I have the installation disc. However, it's windows 8.1.

 

[lfkfkfkffs]

With the oem versions of windows 8.1 your key is tied to the motherboard. That is why after you install it once you don't need to put your product key in again. So w7 oem you can. But 8.1 you can't.

 

[LePenguin01]

Can I reactivate Windows 10? Or do I need to purchase another copy of Windows 10? I wouldn't mind buying it.

 

[aquielisunari]

Can I reactivate Windows 10? Or do I need to purchase another copy of Windows 10? I wouldn't mind buying it.

Do you have 10? Reactivate as long as you follow the prescribed steps https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change Still with 8.1? New license.

What happens if your OS's drive dies? Do you have a clone? Backups? Having a physical copy has come in handy for me many times over the years.

 

[LePenguin01]

I have Windows 10. I have an extra HHD and a Flash drive with an installation of Windows 10.

 

[Mowgli2909]

I have Windows 10. I have an extra HHD and a Flash drive with an installation of Windows 10.

I've just done a complete upgrade to my system, the only components that I didn't change were RAM and PSU. I'd already downloaded Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft's own site onto a flash drive. Installed on my new system without a hitch, activated with a Digital licence associated with my windows account. No additional costs.

 

[LePenguin01]

In that case, I'll just need to backup files to my secondary HDD in case anything goes down. I don't know if i'll need to upgrade my DDR3 RAM to DDR3, it'll depend on what CPU i'll get with a new motherboard included. Either ways, I wouldn't want to replace my ram.

 

[rhysiam]

In that case, I'll just need to backup files to my secondary HDD in case anything goes down. I don't know if i'll need to upgrade my DDR3 RAM to DDR3, it'll depend on what CPU i'll get with a new motherboard included. Either ways, I wouldn't want to replace my ram.

If you're getting a new platform (Intel or AMD Ryzen) you will have to replace your RAM. It's not a choice. While there are still some "DDR3" motherboards floating around for Skylake processors, if you read the fine print you'll see that it's actually only DDR3L RAM, which is the low power (1.35V) variant of DDR3, which your current RAM will almost certainly NOT be.

Add RAM to your budget.