Will changing motherboards require me to re-download anything?

[Constipated Crow]

Hi there,

 

Before I go on, here's my current build:

 

-XFX FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7000 Series; AMD; Radeon HD 7770; 1000 MHz; CrossFire; 2048 x 1536 pixels; 2560 x 1600 pixels (FX-777A-ZNF4)

-Intel Core i3-3220 3300GHz 3MB Cache Socket LGA1155 Desktop CPU

-Corsair CMX8GX3M1A1333C9 XMS3 8GB (1x4GB) DDR3 1333 Mhz CL9 Performance Desktop Memory Module

-MSI LGA1155 u-ATX Motherboard (Intel H61, 2x DDR3, GBE, LAN)

-EVGA 500B 500W 80+ BRONZE PC Power Supply

-LiteOn IHAS124-04 24x SATA Half Height Internal DVDRW Drive

-Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive

-Fractal Design Core 1000 Series Micro ATX Case

 

I am thinking about upgrading my current GPU to a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming at Christmas, but before that, I want to upgrade my CPU so that there are no bottlenecks. I was thinking about buying the i7 3770 (non 'K' version, because my MOBO doesn't allow OC), which is an Intel 3rd generation (Ivy Bridge) CPU. However, yesterday I saw that the Intel 4th generation i7 4790k was the same price as the i7 3770 (non 'K') on Amazon. People have said that the i7 4790k is far superior to the i7 3770, even at stock speeds. With OC, it would be even better. 

 

The problem is that if I wanted a better CPU for the same price, I would be forced to buy a new MOBO too, because of the generation socket incompatibilities and also because my current MOBO couldn't take advantage of a 'K' processor anyway. This is why I am thinking of buying a new motherboard along with the i7 4790k.

 

However, another problem remains. I heard that when you change a MOBO, you have to reinstall Windows, and all your data gets deleted too. I'm not too sure about the latter, however the windows reinstall seems believable. I do NOT want to reinstall windows at all. If there is no way around it, I will, without question, stay with my current MOBO and go with the 3770, no questions asked. There is absolutely no way that I am going to pay for another copy of windows (I don't have a disk, I downloaded windows 8.1 from Microsoft's website). 

 

My question is, is there a way around having to reinstall windows when changing motherboards? Are there any guaranteed ways to do it? Because I do not want to risk anything.

 

Thank you to anyone who replies.

 

Cheers!

[CyberneticTitan]

You can always backup your personal data before you perform a re-install. It would be a great time for you to upgrade to Windows 10 too. (Fresh install Windows 7/8 upgrade -> Windows 10)

 

You might also want to consider the price for your upgrade. Is shelling out 70ish bucks for a Z97 motherboard worth the 5-12% improvement? You will also have to buy a decent aftermarket cooler to reach high overclocks with acceptable temperatures. A 3770 is a very capable CPU. You might as well save your money and wait for Skylake and Z170 motherboards that are coming this fall.

 

I don't have experience with major hardware changes on a same OS, so I'm sorry I can't help you in that respect.

[colinreay]

You probably will have to reinstall windows, as far as I know, it is possible to transfer mobos without reinstalling the OS if the motherboards share chipsets, but in this case, it sounds like it might not be possible in this case.

[Agazed]

You DO NOT have to reinstall Windows after a mobo upgrade. Not sure why people on the forum or others believe that....

[DEDRICK]

You DO NOT have to reinstall Windows after a mobo upgrade. Not sure why people on the forum or others believe that....

 

You don't have to...but your Windows will no longer be genuine and you will have to transfer your license to the new motherboard.  Also, it's a cleanliness thing

[Agazed]

You don't have to...but your Windows will no longer be genuine and you will have to transfer your license to the new motherboard.  Also, it's a cleanliness thing

 

Only Windows 8+ stores product keys in your mobo. And you can just re-enter the product key.

[Glenwing]

I've switched between AMD and Intel boards/CPUs without reinstalling and had no problems, so no you don't HAVE to reinstall Windows. It's just best practice. You can always make a Windows Easy Transfer profile to save all your files and your user account. You'd just need to reinstall your programs.