Upgrading a motherboard

[callizer]

So I want to add another 970 to my system and I just found out my motherboard doesn't support SLI (MSI z97 PC Mate). If I upgrade my motherboard, do I need to reinstall and rebuy Windows? What motherboard do you recommend (best value)?

[Mod3]

You would need to reinstall Windows, but if you already bought it, you can use the upgrade option during installation and not lose your personal data. (But do a backup first anyway). 

 

This seems like a great value, but it is open box, but I trust Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132229R

[Method]

You would need to reinstall Windows

 

Not necessarily. If you're moving from one board to another on the same chipset (sticking with z97) you're typically good to go. If anything, you'll only need to reactivate windows. Hell, I went from x48 to x58 on the same windows 8 install, which I'm running right now. 

 

Couple friends of mine and I tested moving from amd to intel even, and while buggyish, it booted. Intel to Intel though, the odds of you needing to reinstall are very slim. When you get the new board, just try plugging everything in and run a few stress tests, then try a few games. If everything checks out, no need to reinstall. But again, windows will likely ask you to re-activate your copy, which isn't a big deal.

 

Edit: Also, follow your own topic. You can set the forums to do this automatically in your profile settings.

[i_build_nanosuits]

i upgraded from fx8320 to intel i7 without having to re-install windows...

[tiny voices]

All depends on version. With 8.1 chances are great that he will not have to reinstall. With 7 the chances are much lower, but still possible.

[Method]

All depends on version. With 8.1 chances are great that he will not have to reinstall. With 7 the chances are much lower, but still possible.

 

True. Windows XP the odds of having to reinstall if moving to a different chipset would be very high. same chipset though, odds are still good you wont have to reinstall.

[Mistersprinkles]

i upgraded from fx8320 to intel i7 without having to re-install windows...

 

Go read about why what you did is bad.

[Mistersprinkles]

You do NOT need to reinstall windows if both motherboards use the same chipset. You will have to uninstall additional USB3 drivers, additional SATA drivers, the LAN driver, the audio driver, and install the new ones for the new board, but the actual Z97 INF stays there. 

 

I suggest you look at the ASUS Z97-A. $130. Exceptional motherboard. Great audio section. Supports SLI.