Question Upgrading cpu and motherboard help

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Hey all,

I have built a couple of computers in the past but this is my first time upgrading parts in my PC.

For Christmas this year I am upgrading from a Z-170 mother board to a Z-390 motherboard to install my new i5-9600K. I was reading a little about how i would need to flash my BIOS and reset my computer.

Can i upgrade both motherboard and CPU while keeping all my computer setting/ info on there? or would i need to back my whole computer up to an external drive?
 
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clutchc

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Which Z-390 board exactly? Might not have to do any BIOS update depending on the board.
Switching motherboards will de-activate W10. You can try re-activating it. Most times it will let you with no issues. But you may have to go thru the telephone re-activation if it fails.

Since the boards are similar Intel systems, you will probably be able to pass on a clean install. Win will install the new drivers as needed. But you may want to run something like CCleaner to clean up garbage and registry errors that will happen.
 
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clutchc said:
Which Z-390 board exactly? Might not have to do any BIOS update depending on the board.
Switching motherboards will de-activate W10. You can try re-activating it. Most times it will let you with no issues. But you may have to go thru the telephone re-activation if it fails.

Since the boards are similar Intel systems, you will probably be able to pass on a clean install. Win will install the new drivers as needed. But you may want to run something like CCleaner to clean up garbage and registry errors that will happen.
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I just found this motherboard that has some physical characteristics i need to fit all my stuff in : Here . Im upgrading from an ASUS Z-170 pro gaming motherboard. My windows account is no longer a local account which i heard could have caused issues.

Im just scared i could lose all my information like, passwords, school information, games, photos. I would love if i could just plug and play but im just not sure which steps to take as im not experienced in these kinds of upgrades.
 
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clutchc

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Paul-Smenis said:
I just found this motherboard that has some physical characteristics i need to fit all my stuff in : Here . Im upgrading from an ASUS Z-170 pro gaming motherboard. My windows account is no longer a local account which i heard could have caused issues.

Im just scared i could lose all my information like, passwords, school information, games, photos. I would love if i could just plug and play but im just not sure which steps to take as im not experienced in these kinds of upgrades.
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That board requires 2203 BIOS (or later) to recognize the i5-9600K. That BIOS came out back in 2019/04/15 , so chances are any board you buy from places with high turn-overs like Newegg or Amazon will be good to go as-is. If not, you will need a BIOS update obviously. That will require a CPU that is recognized by the current BIOS.
 
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clutchc said:
That board requires 2203 BIOS (or later) to recognize the i5-9600K. That BIOS came out back in 2019/04/15 , so chances are any board you buy from places with high turn-overs like Newegg or Amazon will be good to go as-is. If not, you will need a BIOS update obviously. That will require a CPU that is recognized by the current BIOS.
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Wait so is that motherboard a bad choice? any other recommendations?
 
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clutchc

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Paul-Smenis said:
Also still a little confused on BIOS version number. How could i know if i need to update/ how can i do the update
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Well... if it's on the way, then you'll know soon enough. Breadboard it outside the case when you get the board. Connect just the board, CPU/cooler, RAM, PSU, and monitor (to the iGPU). You may want to add your keyboard. Start the system by momentarily shorting the two pins that the case's power switch would connect to. A screwdriver tip works well.

If you get a display, you're fine. If your keyboard is connected, try entering BIOS. That will tell you you're good to go.
 
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clutchc said:
Well... if it's on the way, then you'll know soon enough. Breadboard it outside the case when you get the board. Connect just the board, CPU/cooler, RAM, PSU, and monitor (to the iGPU). You may want to add your keyboard. Start the system by momentarily shorting the two pins that the case's power switch would connect to. A screwdriver tip works well.

If you get a display, you're fine. If your keyboard is connected, try entering BIOS. That will tell you you're good to go.
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not sure if this means anything but this is something i looked up on my PC. "BIOS Version/Date : American Megatrends Inc. 1206, 3/7/2016
 
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tbh as of right now my plan of attack is to just build it, try to boot it up. If somthing happens i have a flash drive with the latest BIOS version on it.

I went ahead and took my most precious files and put it onto a external drive just incase.
 
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vMax

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The Asus Z390 motherboard you gave chosen will not need a bios update for the 9600K to work. That motherboard is both 8th and 9th gen ready and the 9600K is a straight drop in.

Also save all you key files as a clean Windows 10 install is key as otherwise you may well have issues...
 
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vMax said:
The Asus Z390 motherboard you gave chosen will not need a bios update for the 9600K to work. That motherboard is both 8th and 9th gen ready and the 9600K is a straight drop in.

Also save all you key files as a clean Windows 10 install is key as otherwise you may well have issues...
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what do you mean save all my key files as a clean windows install?

sorry if i sound stupid just have never done this before
 
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vMax

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Hi Paul,

No problems at all...Only that you should do a fresh Windows 10 install when upgrading to a new motherboard and if you are using the same SSD then transfer any files or backup and files just in case as you do not want to lose anything.

A new Windows 10 install will make sure you do not have any conflicts or issues..Oh and I have noticed that you have moved the files to an external drive so my apologies.....
 
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hey everyone, just went ahead and installed everything. Booted up great and all my files stayed on perfectly.

Right after a boot up and installation my CPU is running at like 43-46C is that okay?

Not sure if booting up and installing all the stuff would make it run a little hot.
 
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