Question How will Windows 10 react to a new CPU/motherboard?

[t4d]

Thinking about upgrading my CPU & motherboard to something current, but I'd like to retain my current SSD (M.2, NVMe) which is my boot drive for Windows 10.

Will Windows 10 have a problem using the current SSD on a new CPU/motherboad? After the install, will Windows be "OK" with the new hardware, or will it cause many issues?

I am assuming that on the initial boot-up (after the CPU & motherboard changes) that Windows 10 will reconfigure itself for the new hardware, but is that correct?

 

[Tech Junky]

It'll work fine. After the first boot though go through device manager and update drivers for each item to make sure. Even a fresh install doesn't pick the best drivers.

 

[TheELF]

^ It'll work fine if he re installs windows, but the way he talks he probably wants to avoid re installing windows and then it's a toss up, it might work or it might fail miserably.

 

[Tech Junky]

re installing windows

The only reason to reinstall is if the OS is borked and doesn't boot. The drivers are an easy update to refresh them from one system to another.

The other thing that comes to mind is OP might have to convert the boot from MBR to UEFI depending on the new system but, that's a 5 minute process.

 

[TheELF]

The only reason to reinstall is if the OS is borked and doesn't boot. The drivers are an easy update to refresh them from one system to another.

For most stuff yes, but for the mobo/chipset it can often cause issues that will prevent windows from booting in the first place.

 

[Tech Junky]

prevent windows from booting in the first place.

Only if there was an issue before swapping to the new MOBO or if the boot needs to be switched to UEFI. Otherwise moving a drive from system to system isn't an issue. The drivers get picked up by Windows automatically for the minor changes but, manual updates to the latest version yield better performance.

I've moved OS drives many times and the boot option has been the only issue. Namely the new Z690 board I'm using for some reason CSM didn't work and needed to convert from MBR to GPT to enable EFI to be used.

 

[t4d]

yep, I don't want to reinstall Windows 10........worried that the new hardware might "confuse" Windows 10 as it boots up, and then I would most likely need to do a fresh install. BTW, if it becomes necessary to do a fresh install, how do I do that if the system will not boot??

 

[Tech Junky]

Bootable USB w/ Windows on it and install from there.

I think you're being overly cautious here though. As stated multiple times... it will work fine and if it doesn't it's usually a simple fix.

 

[t4d]

OK, thanks to all for the advice........very much appreciated

 

[Tech Junky]

BTW windows is kind of dumb and you can make a backup for your user / program files / program files x86 directories and then dump them back into the new install to restore all of your stuff. Easy to do from a linux boot drive as the folders won't be in use during the copy.

 

[Tech Junky]

upgrading my CPU & motherboard

Now let's get to the meat of the story here. What are you thinking? I did a 12700K / Z690 and it just flies compared to the 8700K it replaced.

 

[t4d]

Not sure that I will upgrade just now, but MicroCenter sent me an email showing a combination deal: AMD 5 5600X with an MSI B550 mobo for $219 (no cooling fan included).

But I am also considering a combo of i3-12100 and MSI mobo ($230 at Newegg, includes stock CPU fan).

My i5-6500 is quite old, but it really meets all my needs. I am considering doing an upgrade so as not to fall too far behind with my hardware. I am a natural cheapskate and think that a couple hundred bucks should be all I need to make my hardware more current.

 

[Tech Junky]

I would say the 12100 is a good bet though an I5 would be a better bet for just a little more performance. I mean if you're going to hold onto it for another 10 years the extra $50 is worth it.



I would aim for a 124/5/6/00 - https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/compare.html?productIds=96149,96144,134586

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/hvC48d,HqXJ7P,tLKKHx/

 

[deustroop]

Thinking about upgrading my CPU & motherboard to something current, but I'd like to retain my current SSD (M.2, NVMe) which is my boot drive for Windows 10.

Will Windows 10 have a problem using the current SSD on a new CPU/motherboad? After the install, will Windows be "OK" with the new hardware, or will it cause many issues?

I am assuming that on the initial boot-up (after the CPU & motherboard changes) that Windows 10 will reconfigure itself for the new hardware, but is that correct?

If the OS is OEM you will need to purchase a licence to activate Win 10.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If the OS is OEM you will need to purchase a licence to activate Win 10.

Almost certainly this.

For giggles, I always run the activation troubleshooter before using a new key.

@Tech Junky covered everything. I will add my anecdotal experience to help assure you. I have done it many times with 10, and already a couple of times with 11, and zero issues.

 

[t4d]

My OS in not OEM. Several years ago I migrated from Windows 7 to Windows 10. This was done via an internet connection and consequently I have no install disk or any other physical device to re-install Windows 10 if anything should go wrong.

My understanding is that Microsoft sort of "attaches" Windows to the c: drive and if the drive is not changed then Microsoft is satisfied and will not require me to purchase a new copy of Windows.

Also, I am not yet ready to make a hardware change, just in the information gathering stage.

 

[deustroop]

You miss the point. The license attaches to the board, not the C drive.If the OS is OEM , upgraded or not, that licence will not apply to a new board. However, a retail OS will move its licence to a new board.The constraint here is to refrain from using one licence for more than one machine at a time. That would work because there are two boards. Anyways, this was the state of play back in them there yonder days.

 

[t4d]

Yep, I guess I did miss the point.

I bought the Asus mobo as a separate entity when I last built this machine, so there is no OEM OS. Hopefully, Microsoft will attach my OS to the new board, should I decide to proceed with the new hardware.

BTW, you could have corrected me with something like "You are wrong" or "You're making a mistake", but you opted for the more gentile "You miss the point."..........it shows sensitivity for the feelings of others. Nicely done sir......you are a gentleman!

 

[tcsenter]

Max out your current mobo CPU support, add another 16GB RAM. Intel i7-7700K can be had for $170 shipped from reputable seller with guarantee.

 

[t4d]

Max out your current mobo CPU support, add another 16GB RAM. Intel i7-7700K can be had for $170 shipped from reputable seller with guarantee.

interesting...........use an older generation chip?..........add RAM to bring it up to 32 GB?..........then overclock the "K"-type cpu?

 

[tcsenter]

interesting...........use an older generation chip?..........add RAM to bring it up to 32 GB?..........then overclock the "K"-type cpu?

This is for the mobo in your sig, yes? Maxing out CPU and adding RAM would be the more simple route, involve changing the least number of components, no new drivers required, no risk of current Windows install balking at something new. But will not be a major performance upgrade, which you might not notice so much anyway since you have said you are satisfied with current performance, no path forward and running Windows 11 in all it's supported glory may become a problem in the future.

 

[t4d]

But will not be a major performance upgrade, which you might not notice so much anyway since you have said you are satisfied with current performance, no path forward and running Windows 11 in all it's supported glory may become a problem in the future.

My current hardware will not support Windows 11, and that is one reason why I am considering a hardware upgrade. I think that Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 in a few more years

 

[Tech Junky]

@t4d

If your primary concern is Windows your focus is on the wrong thing. It's not going anywhere and if it does then upgrade at that point or switch to Linux for free.

Bare min is 9th gen Intel to get w11 to work without having to hack it to get it installed. If you want to real any benefits from it though you need ADL for the hybrid cores to make a difference.

It's not really all it's made out to be other than a new skin and layout it still windows. The only reason to upgrade is if you want to.

 

[OlyAR15]

One thing to try is to create an MS account and register your current PC to it. Then when you upgrade and the OS doesn't re-activate, you should be able to tell MS that it is an upgrade and you should be able to re-activate it that way. That is what I did with my HTPC when I upgraded it. Worked fine, even able to upgrade it later to Win11.

 

[McLovin]

@t4d

IMO, you should absolutely reinstall windows with UEFI boot (No legacy/compatibility (aka CSM) boot and secure boot turned on. When you do this, the OS can help you repartition the drive in GPT format, not MBR. Not only is this the current methodology, it's also infinitely more secure than legacy boot (BIOS and MBR). Enabling UEFIT and Secure Boot gets you 2/3rds of the way to Win11 support.

Next, if your current MoBo supports an NVMe SSD, I'm willing to bet you have what is needed to run Win11. What CPU/Mobo do you currently have?

*edit* I just saw your signature. If that's your current hardware, @Tech Junky is correct about not being able to support Win11. But you should still enable UEFI and Secure Boot as it is supported in Win10.

Per the ASUS website, your MoBo does support the 7700k. If you do upgrade the CPU and/or reinstall Windows, update your BIOS. Updating your BIOS is just as important/necessary as updating drivers.

Also, if you need a Windows license key, shoot me a DM. I can help you with that.