I will try to make this quick. I have been wanting to replace my mother board for a while. Here are my current specs:
Mobo: MSi Z87 G43
CPU: Intel Core i5 4670
GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 980
8GB of RAM
PSU: Corsair AX 1200i
OS: Win 8.1
Ethernet card is a D Link wireless adapter. It is internal and uses a PCI X16 slot.
My OS and Drivers are on a Sandisk X110 SSD 64GB, and my personal files such as steam, and all my Adobe application are on a 4TB western Digital Black edition HDD.
Another thing worth noting is when I originally bought the computer I ordered it from CyberpowerPC. I'm assuming their licencing is different and doesn't allow me to replace the mobo. So I'm planning on buying another version of Win.
I want to replace the Z87 G43 with a Asus Sabertooth Z97.
The replacement mobo doesn't have any PCI X16 slots so I would have to get another PCIe X1 wireless adapter. I want to know all the steps I should take to completely replace the board. I know I will have to re install windows, and I know how to physically re install the board, but I'm tripped up on possible driver conflicts and licence issues. I also have some questions about the switch:
-I heard I should completely disconnect my Secondary HDD on the first boot, is this true?
-Is temporarily removing the HDD really as simple as unplug and plug? Or is there more to this I'm missing? Software wise of course.
-Is it even possible to switch from Z87 to Z97 as long as I re install Win?
-Will I even have enough room on the teeny tiny SSD to completely re install Win and driver? Right now it has about 15GB of space left.
-What order should I re install the drivers?
-What should I change in the BIOS?
-On first boot should I boot into Normal Win? Safe Mode? Or BIOS?
Thanks everyone!