Unique PC Swap Question...?

[SenorKiwi]

Hi there!

 

My family has two PCs. One for everyone (which is gaming, lightroom, photoshop), and one that I've been using for gaming/work.

 

I no longer game, so don't need my higher level specs. Hence, I am wondering how I am able to switch the computers, so that the entire family computer windows and files are all on my PC, and vice versa. Meaning they start using my PC case etc. but on their monitor, everything is the same.

 

To do this, is it simply a case of switching the SSDs and HDDs? 

Or, do I need to do something else? 

Thanks,

Oli

[5x5]

No, you'd also have to reinstall the OS if you want to swap drives but wouldn't it be easier to just swap the monitors and call it a day?

[CoinDuckling369]

1 minute ago, 5x5 said:

No, you'd also have to reinstall the OS if you want to swap drives but wouldn't it be easier to just swap the monitors and call it a day?

Indeed, just as @5x5 mentioned, you would be better of reinstalling your OS if you would switch PC's, which also means you would have to reinstall all software and drivers, the issue when moving these type of storage devices is that both pc's are very different in hardware. Which means that all drivers will get messed up and that wouldn't make the system very fast or stable.

[SenorKiwi]

45 minutes ago, 5x5 said:

No, you'd also have to reinstall the OS if you want to swap drives but wouldn't it be easier to just swap the monitors and call it a day?

 

41 minutes ago, CoinDuckling369 said:

Indeed, just as @5x5 mentioned, you would be better of reinstalling your OS if you would switch PC's, which also means you would have to reinstall all software and drivers, the issue when moving these type of storage devices is that both pc's are very different in hardware. Which means that all drivers will get messed up and that wouldn't make the system very fast or stable.

Okay, thanks guys - to elaborate, I was planning to get the benefit of my higher end gaming PC's GPU, CPU, and RAM. 

I've already moved the GPU to the family computer, but for the RAM and CPU I'm not sure how that'd work. Will it mess it up or is it just a simple switch?

[5x5]

10 minutes ago, SenorKiwi said:

 

Okay, thanks guys - to elaborate, I was planning to get the benefit of my higher end gaming PC's GPU, CPU, and RAM. 

I've already moved the GPU to the family computer, but for the RAM and CPU I'm not sure how that'd work. Will it mess it up or is it just a simple switch?

We can't say without knowing what the whole systems are.

[CoinDuckling369]

2 minutes ago, 5x5 said:

We can't say without knowing what the whole systems are.

Indeed, for example AMD to Intel would be a big difference

[5x5]

38 minutes ago, CoinDuckling369 said:

Indeed, for example AMD to Intel would be a big difference

Any platform swap - AM3 to AM4, 1150 to 1151, AM3 to 1151 or 1150 to AM4 would require an OS reinstall and more hassle than its worth.

[SenorKiwi]

1 hour ago, 5x5 said:

Any platform swap - AM3 to AM4, 1150 to 1151, AM3 to 1151 or 1150 to AM4 would require an OS reinstall and more hassle than its worth.

 

1 hour ago, CoinDuckling369 said:

Indeed, for example AMD to Intel would be a big difference

Which part of the swap exactly is problematic? Just the CPU then? 

If so, I can just swap the GPU and RAM, that isn't much of an issue. CPU is an i7 4770k vs i5 something (from 2013-ish)

 

[5x5]

1 hour ago, SenorKiwi said:

 

Which part of the swap exactly is problematic? Just the CPU then? 

If so, I can just swap the GPU and RAM, that isn't much of an issue. CPU is an i7 4770k vs i5 something (from 2013-ish)

 

Swap the GPUs and leave the rest as is imo. Don't forget to DDU the drivers lest you end up with two massive software messes

[SenorKiwi]

35 minutes ago, 5x5 said:

Swap the GPUs and leave the rest as is imo. Don't forget to DDU the drivers lest you end up with two massive software messes

Noted, what about the RAM? The PC definitely needs the RAM swapped, my brother on the family computer playing Battlefield V needs my 16gb or RAM not the family computer's 8gb.

How does RAM switching effect performance?

[5x5]

24 minutes ago, SenorKiwi said:

Noted, what about the RAM? The PC definitely needs the RAM swapped, my brother on the family computer playing Battlefield V needs my 16gb or RAM not the family computer's 8gb.

How does RAM switching effect performance?

Just buy a 20$ stick from eBay - DDR3 is dirt cheap

[SenorKiwi]

1 minute ago, 5x5 said:

Just buy a 20$ stick from eBay - DDR3 is dirt cheap

Sure, but if I don't need the 16GB anymore, and there are no issues, why not just switch them?

[5x5]

15 minutes ago, SenorKiwi said:

Sure, but if I don't need the 16GB anymore, and there are no issues, why not just switch them?

You can - but 8GB is not enough for most tasks in 2020. Just having 5 tabs in a browser open with some typical applications like discord and battle.net, I'm sitting at 6GB/16GB

[SenorKiwi]

4 hours ago, 5x5 said:

You can - but 8GB is not enough for most tasks in 2020. Just having 5 tabs in a browser open with some typical applications like discord and battle.net, I'm sitting at 6GB/16GB

Fair enough, but no worries. I am rarely using my work PC computer now, I use my laptop instead.

[5x5]

3 minutes ago, SenorKiwi said:

Fair enough, but no worries. I am rarely using my work PC computer now, I use my laptop instead.

Then swap the memory - assuming you're not using a crap board - it should be fine

[SenorKiwi]

Just now, 5x5 said:

Then swap the memory - assuming you're not using a crap board - it should be fine

Super, thanks for your replies, much appreciated. How much do you know about general IT problems (such as playback issues with a specific laptop, Chrome issues etc.)? I am looking for someone that I can ask every now and then for advice on solving issues when they crop up, and paying ~$10/hr for that advice/research. If you have the knowledge and are interested in helping, let me know. 

Or if you know anyone else that might be suitable.

[5x5]

1 minute ago, SenorKiwi said:

Super, thanks for your replies, much appreciated. How much do you know about general IT problems (such as playback issues with a specific laptop, Chrome issues etc.)? I am looking for someone that I can ask every now and then for advice on solving issues when they crop up, and paying ~$10/hr for that advice/research. If you have the knowledge and are interested in helping, let me know. 

Or if you know anyone else that might be suitable.

Well, feel free to hit me up on DMs. I think can offer some advice. I am by no means an expert but if I manage to help, that'd be great. I'd also love 10 bucks considering I'm not sure how I'd pay my bills this month (thanks Corona)

[SenorKiwi]

1 minute ago, 5x5 said:

Well, feel free to hit me up on DMs. I think can offer some advice. I am by no means an expert but if I manage to help, that'd be great. I'd also love 10 bucks considering I'm not sure how I'd pay my bills this month (thanks Corona)

Sure, thanks for the offer. Sorry to hear about the situation, unfortunately I don't have anything available at the moment. Have you tried going to Upwork for work, and specifically searching for a list of industries that are doing very well through this period? I am sure there are many that need help if you get specialised in search.

[5x5]

1 minute ago, SenorKiwi said:

Sure, thanks for the offer. Sorry to hear about the situation, unfortunately I don't have anything available at the moment. Have you tried going to Upwork for work, and specifically searching for a list of industries that are doing very well through this period? I am sure there are many that need help if you get specialised in search.

No worries - I live in a semi-third world country - my job is (well, was) teaching and technical support but since we're on lockdown, I've been struggling to find work and bills have been piling up. I won't bother you with my sob story though, but if you know anyone who needs part-time services (tech support) or a Cambridge-certified English teacher, let me know

[SenorKiwi]

1 minute ago, 5x5 said:

No worries - I live in a semi-third world country - my job is (well, was) teaching and technical support but since we're on lockdown, I've been struggling to find work and bills have been piling up. I won't bother you with my sob story though, but if you know anyone who needs part-time services (tech support) or a Cambridge-certified English teacher, let me know

Sure, no worries. I have a company and a team in Eastern Europe, that's why I suggest Upwork - really good and the rates are nice for the countries. 

I'd say that it is definitely worth a shot if you can set yourself up as a specialist, and target a specific type of business thriving at this time. But that's just my 2 cents.

[5x5]

1 minute ago, SenorKiwi said:

Sure, no worries. I have a company and a team in Eastern Europe, that's why I suggest Upwork - really good and the rates are nice for the countries. 

I'd say that it is definitely worth a shot if you can set yourself up as a specialist, and target a specific type of business thriving at this time. But that's just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll definitely give Upwork a shot. I tried Fiverr a week ago but that ended in dismal failure and a waste of a day