First time complete PC build

[Ariona]

So over the last year and a half I have waited and upgraded my first PC, an HP ENVY H8-1534.  I got an SSD, a 1TB WD Black game drive, a 2TB Mass Storage, and a 400GB 5200RPM Media drive, a custom PC case, CM Storm LED Blue fans, All kind sof stuff I'll link my PC part list here > http://pcpartpicker.com/user/SaikaDarkmoon/saved/pf6NnQ

 

My question is I currently have A LOT of games installed I fear with this final upgrade I'm going to have to re download... EVERYTHING....Again.... 

 

I'm changing my current OEM Gigabyte Angelica 2 HP, and AMD FX 6350, To an Intel i5 4690K and an MSI  Z97-G55 SLI MB

 

Will changing the MB and Un hooking EVERYTHING, cause me to have to re install everything? This is my major issue that I fear right now... 

 

This is what I hope to end up with. > http://pcpartpicker.com/user/SaikaDarkmoon/saved/t28xFT

[Lord Gaben]

If you are installing a new motherboard, then yes you will have to re-install windows

[Captain_WD]

So over the last year and a half I have waited and upgraded my first PC, an HP ENVY H8-1534.  I got an SSD, a 1TB WD Black game drive, a 2TB Mass Storage, and a 400GB 5200RPM Media drive, a custom PC case, CM Storm LED Blue fans, All kind sof stuff I'll link my PC part list here > http://pcpartpicker.com/user/SaikaDarkmoon/saved/pf6NnQ

 

My question is I currently have A LOT of games installed I fear with this final upgrade I'm going to have to re download... EVERYTHING....Again.... 

 

I'm changing my current OEM Gigabyte Angelica 2 HP, and AMD FX 6350, To an Intel i5 4690K and an MSI  Z97-G55 SLI MB

 

Will changing the MB and Un hooking EVERYTHING, cause me to have to re install everything? This is my major issue that I fear right now... 

 

This is what I hope to end up with. > http://pcpartpicker.com/user/SaikaDarkmoon/saved/t28xFT

 

 

Hey Ariona,

 

Congrats on the upgrade! Unfortunately, yes, you would have to reinstall everything once you change those parts. You could back up your data to one of the drives and remove it during hte reinstallaton process in order to save everything from your boot drive.

 

Captain_WD.

[Ariona]

 

Hey Ariona,

 

Congrats on the upgrade! Unfortunately, yes, you would have to reinstall everything once you change those parts. You could back up your data to one of the drives and remove it during hte reinstallaton process in order to save everything gtom your boot drive.

 

Captain_WD.

 

So If I disable / unplug my HDDs, they should keep all the games and save data and what not?  What about ownership rights with Windows 7 ? 

[Megazero]

So If I disable / unplug my HDDs, they should keep all the games and save data and what not?  What about ownership rights with Windows 7 ? 

If you games/save are in the Windows's drive, then it will be lose, if it's in some other drive it will be ok. Steam's game should be ok if you move it to another drive.

I remember that there's some tools or programs that allow you to extract the product key of the windows so you can use it to install again, but I might be wrong, and if the Windows is OEM then you are out of luck

Technically, you can change the mobo without reinstall Windows (Since I did that with my own desktop) but the old mobo/cpu driver will still existed in the C drive, and it will make your computer run alot slower as it's "fighting" with the new driver. I was trying to keep up with mine for about a year or so, and yesterday I finally snap and reinstalling Windows, my computer run alot faster now. 

[Captain_WD]

So If I disable / unplug my HDDs, they should keep all the games and save data and what not?  What about ownership rights with Windows 7 ? 

 

As @Megazero pointed out, you would most probably need to reinstall your OS, programs and games because of the registry and the drivers. There is a way to keep the old OS, but it would work slower and would be glitchy. As for the rest (media, data, photos, music, etc.) it should be just fine.

 

Captain_WD. 

[Ariona]

If you games/save are in the Windows's drive, then it will be lose, if it's in some other drive it will be ok. Steam's game should be ok if you move it to another drive.

I remember that there's some tools or programs that allow you to extract the product key of the windows so you can use it to install again, but I might be wrong, and if the Windows is OEM then you are out of luck

Technically, you can change the mobo without reinstall Windows (Since I did that with my own desktop) but the old mobo/cpu driver will still existed in the C drive, and it will make your computer run alot slower as it's "fighting" with the new driver. I was trying to keep up with mine for about a year or so, and yesterday I finally snap and reinstalling Windows, my computer run alot faster now. 

Thank you for the info =)  Thats no issue with me, My Steam main folder is on my D drive, my 1TB WD Black. When I re install Steam and put it back in,  How can I play those games ? 

[Megazero]

Thank you for the info =)  Thats no issue with me, My Steam main folder is on my D drive, my 1TB WD Black. When I re install Steam and put it back in,  How can I play those games ? 

When you reinstall Steam, when ask for where to install it, just choose the same folder that you install Steam in your D drive and your games should automatically show up. (That what I did anyway)

[Ariona]

When you reinstall Steam, when ask for where to install it, just choose the same folder that you install Steam in your D drive and your games should automatically show up. (That what I did anyway)

Oh... well crap.. I installed the program to my SSD...but installed my games to my HDD.. 

[Megazero]

Oh... well crap.. I installed the program to my SSD...but installed my games to my HDD.. 

it's ok though, you can just copy the "games" folder to the Steam's new "games" folder after you install it. It work like that as well. But in this case I'm not 100% sure about the save file. Most of them should be ok, and any games that have cloud saving will definitely be ok, but some may have a problem.

[Ariona]

it's ok though, you can just copy the "games" folder to the Steam's new "games" folder after you install it. It work like that as well. But in this case I'm not 100% sure about the save file. Most of them should be ok, and any games that have cloud saving will definitely be ok, but some may have a problem.

Ok thanks.  my saves are uploaded via cloud and are always up to date no worries on that... it's my Non-steam games I'm worried about...and..god..Origin... Fudge...!

[Megazero]

Ok thanks.  my saves are uploaded via cloud and are always up to date no worries on that... it's my Non-steam games I'm worried about...and..god..Origin... Fudge...!

Origins is a pain ... you HAVE to install Origin somewhere else, then start downloading the game again, pause right after the download begin so the new folder is created, then copy the games from the old place to the new folder...

[DildorTheDecent]

If you are installing a new motherboard, then yes you will have to re-install windows

Changing chipset drivers is all OP will need to do.