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Upgrading gaming PC Motherboard

The_KIEStar
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Hello,

 

I have recently decided that I wanted to add a sound card to my gaming PC the only problem is that  I am running a MSI H81M-E33 LGA1150 ATX Intel Motherboard (limited to only 1 PCI-Express slot). That one PCI slot is being taken up by my GeoForce GTX 660 GPU. So in-turn I was looking into upgrading just my motherboard to something a bit more "fancy". I am running an Intel i5 4690k CPU and have a 128GB Samsung SSD (with Windows 8.1 running on this drive), 1TB Toshiba HDD (games and documents), and 8GB of Crucial Ballistix RAM.

 

With that in mind I was wondering:

  1. What are the steps I need to take to upgrade just my motherboard?
  2. Do I need to wipe my hard drives when this upgrade happens or will they be fine to just re-plug into my new Motherboard (I would like to not re-download all of my stuff)? 
  3. How does the process work with Windows 8.1? Do I need to reinstall or what?
  4. What else do I need to know about this upgrade?

Thank you in advanced for your help!

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1. Pull all the cable out of the old mobo, remove it and the I/O shield, place the new one in, plug all cable in 

2. No

3. No need to reinstall unless you use the OEM version

4. Get a Z97 motherboard as you are having an OCable CPU

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You don't need another motherboard. It has only one PCI-E x16, but that second slot is a PCI-E x1 and that can accept a sound card.

 

That being said, you have a K series CPU, so you're wasting your money unless you overclock, which is not possible on an H81 board.

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You should be fine, but if you run into any problems , this post provides a nice guide to help you

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/106642-how-to-keep-your-current-windows-install-with-a-new-motherboard/

CPU: i5-4690k GPU: 280x Toxic PSU: Coolermaster V750 Motherboard: Z97X-SOC RAM: Ripjaws 1x8 1600mhz Case: Corsair 750D HDD: WD Blue 1TB

How to Build A PC|Windows 10 Review Follow the CoC and don't be a scrub~soaringchicken

 

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You don't need another motherboard. It has only one PCI-E x16, but that second slot is a PCI-E x1 and that can accept a sound card.

 

That being said, you have a K series CPU, so you're wasting your money unless you overclock, which is not possible on an H81 board.

Thank you much I will have to check that out. This was my first PC build and I am just upgrading bit by bit. So a new sound card in the PCI-E x1 slot is definitely an option now!

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1. Pull all the cable out of the old mobo, remove it and the I/O shield, place the new one in, plug all cable in 

2. No

3. No need to reinstall unless you use the OEM version

4. Get a Z97 motherboard as you are having an OCable CPU

So just unplug, take out, put in new motherboard, plug in and it should all work as if I had the old motherboard? Data will all be there and Windows 8.1 will run fine?

 

Just want to make sure before I go ahead and do that, if I decide to go that route.

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You should be fine, but if you run into any problems , this post provides a nice guide to help you

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/106642-how-to-keep-your-current-windows-install-with-a-new-motherboard/

Thank you! Should I be fine to just unplug my older motherboard, take it out, install my new one, plug in and restart as normal? Or would other precautionary steps be taken?

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Thank you! Should I be fine to just unplug my older motherboard, take it out, install my new one, plug in and restart as normal? Or would other precautionary steps be taken?

Try that first, but if you run into any issues you can follow the post I gave you :3

CPU: i5-4690k GPU: 280x Toxic PSU: Coolermaster V750 Motherboard: Z97X-SOC RAM: Ripjaws 1x8 1600mhz Case: Corsair 750D HDD: WD Blue 1TB

How to Build A PC|Windows 10 Review Follow the CoC and don't be a scrub~soaringchicken

 

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Try that first, but if you run into any issues you can follow the post I gave you :3

Okay, so if I were to plug in the new motherboard and it didn't work as planned with everything operating normally, then plug back in the old one and follow the troubleshooting guide you supplied earlier?

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Okay, so if I were to plug in the new motherboard and it didn't work as planned with everything operating normally, then plug back in the old one and follow the troubleshooting guide you supplied earlier?

yep :3

CPU: i5-4690k GPU: 280x Toxic PSU: Coolermaster V750 Motherboard: Z97X-SOC RAM: Ripjaws 1x8 1600mhz Case: Corsair 750D HDD: WD Blue 1TB

How to Build A PC|Windows 10 Review Follow the CoC and don't be a scrub~soaringchicken

 

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Most likely, you would just open windows and see a warning sign that your license needs to be reactivated, or is no longer valid. Then you have to deal with the MoBo's drivers, which is usually strait forward.

Oh okay! Wouldn't I just call Microsoft to reactivate it and let them know that I changed motherboards?

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Oh okay! Wouldn't I just call Microsoft to reactivate it and let them know that I changed motherboards?

No. If you have an OEM license, technically they're tied to the motherboard you install them on. The only cop-out is if your motherboard dies. If you told them that, then you're good.

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No. If you have an OEM license, technically they're tied to the motherboard you install them on. The only cop-out is if your motherboard dies. If you told them that, then you're good.

I just bought the disc version of 8.1 and installed it myself. Would have to pay for a new license if I were to upgrade? I just want to make sure I have all the info I need before making a change.

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I just bought the disc version of 8.1 and installed it myself. Would have to pay for a new license if I were to upgrade? I just want to make sure I have all the info I need before making a change.

No. You shouldn't have to. If you bought the full retail version (not OEM), then you can just install a brand new copy of windows like it's a new computer and get through no problem. Only the OEM ones are a bit harder to transfer because of the whole being tied to the motherboard thing.

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@GarnetDevil wtf are you saying?

 

You will have to remove ram, CPU, heatsink and GPU as well as the I/O plate. Then reinstall the CPU with new thermal compund, install RAM, heatsink and the GPU.

Windows WONT boot in the new motherboard, you will need to format and reinstall.

 

And please get a Z97 motherboard so you can overclock

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@GarnetDevil wtf are you saying?

 

You will have to remove ram, CPU, heatsink and GPU as well as the I/O plate. Then reinstall the CPU with new thermal compund, install RAM, heatsink and the GPU.

Windows WONT boot in the new motherboard, you will need to format and reinstall.

 

And please get a Z97 motherboard so you can overclock

Hey Thanks! I am looking into the Z97 motherboards that is why I asked. Want to also add a sound card as well!

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No. You shouldn't have to. If you bought the full retail version (not OEM), then you can just install a brand new copy of windows like it's a new computer and get through no problem. Only the OEM ones are a bit harder to transfer because of the whole being tied to the motherboard thing.

 

 

@GarnetDevil wtf are you saying?

 

You will have to remove ram, CPU, heatsink and GPU as well as the I/O plate. Then reinstall the CPU with new thermal compund, install RAM, heatsink and the GPU.

Windows WONT boot in the new motherboard, you will need to format and reinstall.

 

And please get a Z97 motherboard so you can overclock

I have my Windows 8.1 OS and all my applications on my SSD and all my Games, Docs, and Pictures on my HDD. Since I will most likely have to wipe my SSD and do a clean windows install. What would you all recommend I save to HDD since I will not have to wipe that drive? Any recommendations on what I would do for that process?

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I have my Windows 8.1 OS and all my applications on my SSD and all my Games, Docs, and Pictures on my HDD. Since I will most likely have to wipe my SSD and do a clean windows install. What would you all recommend I save to HDD since I will not have to wipe that drive? Any recommendations on what I would do for that process?

If there isnt any important stuff in the SSD then just format it and install windows...

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