Do I really need to upgrade?

[KeithTalent]

Hey KT,

I don't know what kind of upgrader you are, but this Gigabyte board is running the latest Z97 chipset, and is just a couple CAD more than the board you are looking at.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/gigabyte-z97x-sli-atx-lga1150-z97-ed-96899.htm

Either would be great though, IMO.

Hmm, well can't really tell the difference between the two. What's the benefit of getting the Gigabyte board?

Also, since I am way out of the loop on this stuff now, is the 1150 chipset old? Does it make more sense to get an 1155 (and corresponding CPU) or something else instead so later I will only need to upgrade my GPU?

KT

 

[Ketchup]

Hmm, well can't really tell the difference between the two. What's the benefit of getting the Gigabyte board?

Also, since I am way out of the loop on this stuff now, is the 1150 chipset old? Does it make more sense to get an 1155 (and corresponding CPU) or something else instead so later I will only need to upgrade my GPU?

KT

1150 is the latest, so you are good there, or as good as one can be with Intel. The updates for the 9 Series chipset can be found on this page:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7963/...eview-core-i7-4790-i5-4690-and-i3-4360-tested
In short, not much outside outside of a new storage interface IMO.

There is not too much benefit to this unless you are getting one of the Haswells that just came out, which are listed on the next page.

 

[KeithTalent]

1150 is the latest, so you are good there, or as good as one can be with Intel. The updates for the 9 Series chipset can be found on this page:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7963/...eview-core-i7-4790-i5-4690-and-i3-4360-tested
In short, not much outside outside of a new storage interface IMO.

There is not too much benefit to this unless you are getting one of the Haswells that just came out, which are listed on the next page.

Ah cool, thanks. Guess I will just jump on that stuff then. Appreciate the help and information. :thumbsup:

Fingers crossed it solves me problems!

KT

 

[mfenn]

What about this motherboard: http://www.ncix.com/detail/asus-z87-k-atx-lga1150-z87-a0-84505.htm

and this CPU: http://www.ncix.com/detail/intel-core-i5-4570-quad-14-81329-1114.htm

Would like to keep the total under $500 all in.

KT

Given that you don't overclock, you don't really need a Z-series board. Something like this ASRock H97 Pro4 for $110 - $20 MIR would serve you just as well.

 

[KeithTalent]

Ahh, thanks mfenn, but it's too late. I already ordered the previous items. Should be at home today, though won't really have time to do anything with it until Sunday.

Looks like I may need to get an OS as well. Is Windows 8.1 decent now? Does it make sense just to get that, or should I stick with Win 7 for now?

KT

 

[destrekor]

Ahh, thanks mfenn, but it's too late. I already ordered the previous items. Should be at home today, though won't really have time to do anything with it until Sunday.

Looks like I may need to get an OS as well. Is Windows 8.1 decent now? Does it make sense just to get that, or should I stick with Win 7 for now?

KT

If you see a good license deal, just get Win 8/8.1 (8.1 is a free download, so go with the cheapest license).

You can use any version of Windows prior to the license's actual indicated version, if I recall correctly. You should be able to plug in that license and activate it on Windows 7 just fine, if that's the route you so choose.

With proper uninstall and fresh install, you'd be able to make the move to Windows 8 whenever you felt comfortable, though that would probably require calling in and going through the automated activation phone prompt system.

Technically, you would not NEED to get a new OS if you do not want to.
If you used a non-OEM license, just deactivate the license on the current computer, and then install on the new computer. It won't activate, most likely, but calling the activation number and going through the prompts will do the trick.

If you bought that license, it's yours to keep, even moving through generations of computing hardware. It won't keep it's activation through major hardware changes, but a quick call is all it takes.

 

[KeithTalent]

If you see a good license deal, just get Win 8/8.1 (8.1 is a free download, so go with the cheapest license).

You can use any version of Windows prior to the license's actual indicated version, if I recall correctly. You should be able to plug in that license and activate it on Windows 7 just fine, if that's the route you so choose.

With proper uninstall and fresh install, you'd be able to make the move to Windows 8 whenever you felt comfortable, though that would probably require calling in and going through the automated activation phone prompt system.

Technically, you would not NEED to get a new OS if you do not want to.
If you used a non-OEM license, just deactivate the license on the current computer, and then install on the new computer. It won't activate, most likely, but calling the activation number and going through the prompts will do the trick.

If you bought that license, it's yours to keep, even moving through generations of computing hardware. It won't keep it's activation through major hardware changes, but a quick call is all it takes.

Well I don't really have my Win 7 disc anymore by the look of it. I have the case kicking around, but I don't have any way to re-install it. I've never put in a new motherboard without having to reinstall, so I think I am S.O.L. with putting my old Win 7 install on the PC.

Would this work for a Win 8 purchase? http://www.ncix.com/detail/microsoft-windows-8-1-64bit-english-dd-91219-1069.htm

KT

 

[sm625]

There are so many problems with windows that you cannot avoid having to do reinstalls. It is just a bug ridden OS, to the core. Almost everything you do can invoke a crippling bug. For example, I had to change the permissions on a folder so I could get write access to it from my user account. Well, I did that and while it was setting the permissions it came across an error. There was a file it could not read. So what does windows do, in all its wisdom? It cancels the operation. So now half the files in the folder have the correct permissions, and half do not. o....m....g.

 

[destrekor]

Well I don't really have my Win 7 disc anymore by the look of it. I have the case kicking around, but I don't have any way to re-install it. I've never put in a new motherboard without having to reinstall, so I think I am S.O.L. with putting my old Win 7 install on the PC.

Would this work for a Win 8 purchase? http://www.ncix.com/detail/microsoft-windows-8-1-64bit-english-dd-91219-1069.htm

KT

You didn't buy rights to the disc - you bought the license, the rights to the software. The disc is simply a means of access control and insurance of integrity.

The install media you can obtain by many means.

I also don't understand why you say you'd be SOL because you've had to reinstall with every new motherboard. That's exactly what I said would likely happen. It just requires a call to an automated system if it doesn't work right away.


Generally - I would also say it's NOT good to "reinstall", on top of itself, when you've switched entire chipset generations and major hardware configurations.
Have you done that in the past, with your current installation of Windows?
In other words, has your current installation survived multiple motherboard upgrades, without a full format?

 

[KeithTalent]

You didn't buy rights to the disc - you bought the license, the rights to the software. The disc is simply a means of access control and insurance of integrity.

The install media you can obtain by many means.

I also don't understand why you say you'd be SOL because you've had to reinstall with every new motherboard. That's exactly what I said would likely happen. It just requires a call to an automated system if it doesn't work right away.


Generally - I would also say it's NOT good to "reinstall", on top of itself, when you've switched entire chipset generations and major hardware configurations.
Have you done that in the past, with your current installation of Windows?
In other words, has your current installation survived multiple motherboard upgrades, without a full format?

Nope, I've done a fresh install every time I've changed any major hardware. That's what I was attempting to say, but I guess I was not entirely clear.

I said I would be SOL because I have no way of installing it since I don't have a disc but I guess you are saying I call them and get a disc sent to me since I already have the license? :hmm:

Anyway I was thinking of just taking this opportunity to go to the new OS. If so, would would this work fine? http://www.ncix.com/detail/microsoft-windows-8-1-64bit-english-dd-91219-1069.htm

KT

 

[destrekor]

Nope, I've done a fresh install every time I've changed any major hardware. That's what I was attempting to say, but I guess I was not entirely clear.

I said I would be SOL because I have no way of installing it since I don't have a disc but I guess you are saying I call them and get a disc sent to me since I already have the license? :hmm:

Anyway I was thinking of just taking this opportunity to go to the new OS. If so, would would this work fine? http://www.ncix.com/detail/microsoft-windows-8-1-64bit-english-dd-91219-1069.htm

KT

Well yeah, you could call and ask for a disc, but that wasn't what I was, ahem, suggesting. They'd ask you to pony up something like $20, most likely. Unnecessary.

Also, the glory of Windows 8 - don't need no stinkin' discs, as USB installers are officially supported. You can make USB installers with previous editions of Windows, but Microsoft didn't provide an official utility.

And, go with whatever purchase route of Windows 8 you'd prefer. Note that Windows 8 is different from Windows 8 Pro. I don't know what you do with your computers and what features you need, but you should at least review this.

I haven't looked at the prices and what deals are out there.

 

[KeithTalent]

Well yeah, you could call and ask for a disc, but that wasn't what I was, ahem, suggesting. They'd ask you to pony up something like $20, most likely. Unnecessary.

Also, the glory of Windows 8 - don't need no stinkin' discs, as USB installers are officially supported. You can make USB installers with previous editions of Windows, but Microsoft didn't provide an official utility.

And, go with whatever purchase route of Windows 8 you'd prefer. Note that Windows 8 is different from Windows 8 Pro. I don't know what you do with your computers and what features you need, but you should at least review this.

I haven't looked at the prices and what deals are out there.

Thanks for the link. Not going to download it from elsewhere; not comfortable with that. I think I will just go ahead and get Win 8.1 Pro since, looking at that link you provided, Pro seems to have just enough extra stuff over the regular version to make it worthwhile.

Appreciate the help!

KT

 

[Ketchup]

Hello KT, there is no "wrong" answer here IMO, but if you still have your Windows 7 key, you could probably just download Windows 7 from Digital River (and this would be 100% legit.

See article here:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsof...ads-once-again-available-digital-river-239516

With a link to here:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsof...ads-once-again-available-digital-river-239516

but I like the links here better:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...oad-site/66a8439b-0d16-4b70-92f7-1c8486a46ebf

 

[MongGrel]

I'd just go with 8.1 in whatever form you get there, I did when I upgraded and takes a little adjusting but I like it.

 

[KeithTalent]

Hello KT, there is no "wrong" answer here IMO, but if you still have your Windows 7 key, you could probably just download Windows 7 from Digital River (and this would be 100% legit.

See article here:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsof...ads-once-again-available-digital-river-239516

With a link to here:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsof...ads-once-again-available-digital-river-239516

but I like the links here better:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...oad-site/66a8439b-0d16-4b70-92f7-1c8486a46ebf

Thanks ketchup; good to know for the future. Of course me being the impatient person I am I just went ahead and bought 8.1 Pro. It was on sale for $159 and I needed to order more Arctic Silver anyway, so just jumped on all of that. Definitely appreciate the help though. :thumbsup:

I'd just go with 8.1 in whatever form you get there, I did when I upgraded and takes a little adjusting but I like it.

From what I was reading it's actually pretty decent now and all you really need to do is put the classic startup mode on or whatever. Kind of looking forward to it actually.

KT

 

[mnewsham]

not comfortable with that.

I've got all my windows ISOs online, microsoft makes it too much of a pain in the ass to get these days so I mostly just torrent it. I pay for a real key however, so it's all legal, they don't give a shit if you download it "illegally" as long as you pay for a license. If there were a legitimate way to download the windows ISO quickly I would use that, but at the moment torrenting is by far the easiest way.

I am still not sure why they don't just sell windows on 8GB USB sticks.

 

[destrekor]

From what I was reading it's actually pretty decent now and all you really need to do is put the classic startup mode on or whatever. Kind of looking forward to it actually.

KT

Well, with 8.1, or at least Update 1 for 8.1, it'll boot into the desktop interface automatically. You don't even have to enable anything for desktop computers. I think it does a device discovery and makes the automatic decision based on whether or not a touchscreen is present.

I've got all my windows ISOs online, microsoft makes it too much of a pain in the ass to get these days so I mostly just torrent it. I pay for a real key however, so it's all legal, they don't give a shit if you download it "illegally" as long as you pay for a license. If there were a legitimate way to download the windows ISO quickly I would use that, but at the moment torrenting is by far the easiest way.

I am still not sure why they don't just sell windows on 8GB USB sticks.

If you buy it online through Microsoft, they provide a utility to make your own USB installer.

Granted, as it stands now, that's not the most affordable route - but it was absolutely awesome when Microsoft was practically giving away licenses at launch. I took advantage of that.

But yes, sooner or later they'll actually need to start going that route for retail - fewer and fewer users will even have an optical drive.

 

[mnewsham]

If you buy it online through Microsoft, they provide a utility to make your own USB installer.

Yeah I have the tool as well, I make my own installation USB drive, I have an 8GB USB 3.0 flash drive just for windows installations and repairs. I just thought at this point it'd be a no brainer to sell USB drives preloaded with windows.

 

[nsafreak]

I've got all my windows ISOs online, microsoft makes it too much of a pain in the ass to get these days so I mostly just torrent it. I pay for a real key however, so it's all legal, they don't give a shit if you download it "illegally" as long as you pay for a license. If there were a legitimate way to download the windows ISO quickly I would use that, but at the moment torrenting is by far the easiest way.

I am still not sure why they don't just sell windows on 8GB USB sticks.

I don't know about you but I get really good download speeds from the digitalriver servers, typically maxing out my 55 mb/sec download connection.

 

[mnewsham]

I don't know about you but I get really good download speeds from the digitalriver servers, typically maxing out my 55 mb/sec download connection.

last time i'd tried I got 15Mb/s down, with torrents I max out my 75Mb/s connection.

 

[KeithTalent]

Just to put a bow on this, I did end up getting my new motherboard, CPU, and OS Friday night, so installed everything Saturday morning. Was one of the fastest easiest upgrades I've ever done and everything is smooth as butter now. Really liking this ASUS motherboard; very easy to install everything and the BIOS menu is nicer than the MSI one too.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone for the help!

KT

Edit: also Windows 8.1 is great. Very zippy and after just setting it to go straight to desktop, no real adjustments required. Can easily access the apps pages and whatnot, so you get the best of both worlds.

 

[Ketchup]

That's great KT! Glad everything went smoothly.

 

[Galatian]

Im still puzzled: you cleaned your CPU fan and added more thermal paste? After that your PC crashed after a awhile? But before all that you just had slow downs in TF2, but no crashes?

Seriously what is the chance that your CPU is really broken vs. you simply doing something wrong while cleaning or putting the cooler back on?

My gut tells me you wasted a lot of money on a senseless "upgrade".

 

[KeithTalent]

That's great KT! Glad everything went smoothly.

Thanks!

Im still puzzled: you cleaned your CPU fan and added more thermal paste? After that your PC crashed after a awhile? But before all that you just had slow downs in TF2, but no crashes?

Seriously what is the chance that your CPU is really broken vs. you simply doing something wrong while cleaning or putting the cooler back on?

My gut tells me you wasted a lot of money on a senseless "upgrade".

It was initially just slow downs in games and sometimes when watching video and whatnot. I did some HD clean-up, clearing out some of the old junk on the drive, then it started crashing in addition to the slow downs (as well as massive CPU spikes).

Then I cleaned up the inside of the case and the CPU fan, plus a tiny bit of paste. After that it was still doing the same things, just more frequent with the crashes.

New stuff is in and none of that is happening anymore.

KT

 

[NewYorksFinest]

/close
/end
/useless post

You've been around here long enough to know that threads aren't closed just because the topic is complete. But yet you made a completely useless post implying such. You know you're on thin ice, so there's no excuse for this.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator