Windows install

flakypa · January 13, 2016

Im getting this computer supposedly:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.89 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.88 @ OutletPC)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 380 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($203.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Total: $506.72

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-12 20:48 EST-0500

My question is, do I need a separate driver? Or does the motherboard include windows?

I want to be quite sure.

Oshino Shinobu · January 13, 2016

You will need to buy Windows. You can buy keys fairly cheap from Reddit and G2A, and you can download the ISO and USB creation tool from Microsoft.

VAkena · January 13, 2016

Nah man, you need to purchase Windows

swordsm3n · January 13, 2016

Windows generally only comes preinstalled on prebuilt machines, and then it is installed on the hard drive not the motherboard.

GoodBytes · January 13, 2016

Windows needs to be purchase separately.

If you are a student you see if your school is registered to MSDNAA / Dreamspark Premium. If it is, then ask how to access it, as you have a license of Windows 10 waiting for you ready to download for free, and about every software from Microsoft for free (for Office, you need a school e-mail, and contact your school on how to get Office 365 for free).

If you are not a student, or your school is not part of MSDNAA / DreamSpark Premium, then sadly you need to buy it like everyone else.

If you are a student, and not part of MSDNAA / DreamSpark Premium, there is way to get Windows for cheap, through the Microsoft Store online.

You have 2 license

OEM System Builder (wrongly called by retail computer stores as simply: OEM) and Retail.

The difference between the 2, is:

OEM System Builder is cheaper, BUT you cannot transfer it to another system. If you plan to change your motherboard, then you need to buy a new license of Windows. You don't get the nice box, nor Microsoft direct support in helping you install Windows 10 and getting started with it.

Retail costs more, but you have the nice box, you have support to help you install Windows and get started with it (if you care), and you can transfer your license.

If you want to buy the OEM System Builder, Microsoft Canada Store has a special where you can get Windows 10 Home for $134.10 Canadian, instead of $139.99 (NewEgg.ca). Free shipping. I know, not the most mind blowing special in the world. But you do have free shipping ($5.99 at NewEgg) which adds up to a better saving. It is also the USB version instead of the disk version.

If you prefer disk, then go with NewEgg.

Microsoft Store Canada -- Windows 10 Home OEM in USB format: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/pdp/productID.320386900?Icid=en_CA_Windows_Cat_ModD_1_W10_072915

NewEgg Canada -- Windows 10 Home OEM Disk format: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=Windows+10&N=-1&isNodeId=1

Retail box of Windows 10 you can find it anywhere, just go to BestBuy or whatever, and they should have a box of Windows 10, save yourself the shipping cost.

Hope this helps.