[SOLVED] Win 10 user. Possible replacement of motherboard and CPU ?

[Super14730]

What problems will I encounter when the time comes to replace my m/b, cpu with my current Win 10??

My build is 7 years old and still running great but in the event that I have a failure I would like to be prepared .

Thanks for your help.

Nick

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

It's always recommended to do a complete fresh install of Windows when changing mobo/cpu.

The reason being is that although it's possible to get Windows to play with new hardware, it's very likely that old/irrelevant drivers will mess with your system , and possibly cause instability.

 

[geofelt]

If your windows is the oem version, activation may be tied to the motherboard.
Yes, a clean install is the stock answer.

But, if it is a nasty task to reinstall all you have now, I have been successful in a handful of upgrades by just booting with the old C drive and installing new motherboard drivers.
This has always been on an intel to intel upgrade.
I suspect that amd to intel or vice-versa might be more problematic.

 

[Super14730]

If your windows is the oem version, activation may be tied to the motherboard.
Yes, a clean install is the stock answer.

But, if it is a nasty task to reinstall all you have now, I have been successful in a handful of upgrades by just booting with the old C drive and installing new motherboard drivers.
This has always been on an intel to intel upgrade.
I suspect that amd to intel or vice-versa might be more problematic.

Good to know that it is possible and I'm thinking that I should stay with Intel as the upgrade path.
My windows is OEM and I'm willing to give it a try but as you said the clean install would be best but for all of the programs that I have very time consuming.

Thanks again.

 

[USAFRet]

Good to know that it is possible and I'm thinking that I should stay with Intel as the upgrade path.
My windows is OEM and I'm willing to give it a try but as you said the clean install would be best but for all of the programs that I have very time consuming.

Thanks again.

Changing a motherboard and using the old drive+OS, there are 3 possible outcomes:

1. It works just fine.
2. It fails completely.
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks/months.

I've seen all 3, in ALL combinations of Intel-Intel, AMD-AMD, Intel-AMD, whatever.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it fails.

Please please prepare for total fail.
If it works, great. If it does NOT work...you're prepared.

The Windows license is a whole other consideration.

 

[Super14730]

Thanks to all for the info.