Motherboard Upgrade

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

I wanted to upgrade my Current Mother Board (MSI B150M BAZOOKA) to the Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/AURA. Since my current motherboard only supports 2 case fans when my case has 3 so 1 fan is always at the highest RPM and the 2 others aren't. Also With the new motherboard I have the option to do Crossfire or SLI (I probably wont). Also I would be able to over clock my cpu (i7 6700k) with the new motherboard (which I couldn't do with the old one). Should I get this motherboard or another motherboard? (I need a motherboard that can handle 3 or more fans so I don't have to attach the others directly to the psu) i'm going for a red and black color scheme for my pc.

No i'm not only upgrading the motherboard because my old one doesn't support 3 fans on the motherboard.

ALSO Will I keep all my data, what do I have to do on the computer before I install the new motherboard?

Specs: i7 6700k, AMD RX480 (I'm upgrading my gpu later on), 8gb 2133mhz ram, MSI B150M BAZOOKA, 500watt psu

Sorry For the questions Im new to PC building, all answers are highly appreciated, thanks in advance 

[NTDaws]

8 minutes ago, CHEESYnachoMAN4 said:

I wanted to upgrade my Current Mother Board (MSI B150M BAZOOKA) to the Asus Z170 Pro Gaming/AURA. Since my current motherboard only supports 2 case fans when my case has 3 so 1 fan is always at the highest RPM and the 2 others aren't. Also With the new motherboard I have the option to do Crossfire or SLI (I probably wont). Also I would be able to over clock my cpu (i7 6700k) with the new motherboard (which I couldn't do with the old one). Should I get this motherboard or another motherboard? (I need a motherboard that can handle 3 or more fans so I don't have to attach the others directly to the psu) i'm going for a red and black color scheme for my pc.

No i'm not only upgrading the motherboard because my old one doesn't support 3 fans on the motherboard.

ALSO Will I keep all my data, what do I have to do on the computer before I install the new motherboard?

Specs: i7 6700k, AMD RX480 (I'm upgrading my gpu later on), 8gb 2133mhz ram, MSI B150M BAZOOKA, 500watt psu

Sorry For the questions Im new to PC building, all answers are highly appreciated, thanks in advance 

I can't read the blue. Very irritating to my eyes. 

[Dang3r D3bbi3]

Hey man welcome to the forum! Ok you should be able to keep your data but is ASUS your only manufacter your interested in?

[infraRED]

I would suggest getting a Z270 board. Unless I have been misinformed, it should work with your CPU. Also, you get support for the newer stuff!

[Dang3r D3bbi3]

1 minute ago, infraRED said:

I would suggest getting a Z270 board. Unless I have been misinformed, it should work with your CPU. Also, you get support for the newer stuff!

True that is the better option here!

[Dang3r D3bbi3]

Also whats your max budget for this and what companies are you mainly looking at?

If you want a really good board for Z270 then go with this..https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-HERO/

[infraRED]

Had a look at some Asus boards of around the same price, and here's what I got

[CallMeDrJones]

If you're into RGB, keep in mind that the Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura does NOT have a header for LED strips–just one little area of onboard RGB on the right side. My brother learned that lesson during his build. However, the MSI Z270 Pro Gaming Carbon DOES have an RGB header and it's only a tad more expensive.

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

,

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

 

I was hopping to get one for around $150, but I might get the ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero. Do you think I should spend $230 or go for a cheaper one? I am able to get the ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero, but was wondering what is so good about it that makes it $230? @infraRED @Dang3r D3bbi3

47 minutes ago, Dang3r D3bbi3 said:

Also whats your max budget for this and what companies are you mainly looking at?

If you want a really good board for Z270 then go with this..https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-HERO/

 

50 minutes ago, infraRED said:

I would suggest getting a Z270 board. Unless I have been misinformed, it should work with your CPU. Also, you get support for the newer stuff!

 

[infraRED]

16 minutes ago, CHEESYnachoMAN4 said:

 

I was hopping to get one for around $150, but I might get the ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero. Do you think I should spend $230 or go for a cheaper one? I am able to get the ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero, but was wondering what is so good about it that makes it $230?

 

 

Well, for the Maximus IX Hero against the TUF, you get

• marginally better on-board audio
• some slightly different I/O
• ROG software and BIOS stuff
• 3 fan headers instead of 2 (if you don't feel like using a fan splitter)
• Aura headers

I personally don't think it justifies the price, but hey, if you can afford it, it's actually pretty good board!

If you plan to OC it hard, then the Maximus is your best bet, though the gains might not be too much.

 

Edited February 9, 2017 by infraRED
Forgot to add point

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

30 minutes ago, infraRED said:

Well, for the Maximus IX Hero against the TUF, you get

• marginally better on-board audio
• some slightly different I/O
• ROG software and BIOS stuff
• 3 fan headers instead of 2 (if you don't feel like using a fan splitter)
• Aura headers

I personally don't think it justifies the price, but hey, if you can afford it, it's actually pretty good board!

If you plan to OC it hard, then the Maximus is your best bet, though the gains might not be too much.

 

I am going to get this Motherboard now, thanks for your help. @infraRED @Dang3r D3bbi3 

 

A lot of people say that you need to re install windows if you get a new motherboard or I have to reactivate windows, Is this true? If so what do I do? (I'm on Windows 10 64bit)

 

Also what should I do with my old motherboard?

[infraRED]

Quote

A lot of people say that you need to re install windows if you get a new motherboard or I have to reactivate windows, Is this true? If so what do I do? (I'm on Windows 10 64bit)

Well, yeah, you will have to reinstall Windows. So a back-up would be in order before upgrading. With Win10, activation won't be an issue.

 

Quote

Also what should I do with my old motherboard?

If you plan on building another system anytime soon, or planning to give it to your family members, you can do that, or sell it on eBay or something, or just keep it, if you want to.

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

11 minutes ago, infraRED said:

Well, yeah, you will have to reinstall Windows. So a back-up would be in order before upgrading. With Win10, activation won't be an issue.

 

If you plan on building another system anytime soon, or planning to give it to your family members, you can do that, or sell it on eBay or something, or just keep it, if you want to.

So Backup everything, then replace motherboard and re-install windows 10, Correct?

 

Only thing is that I don't have a external hard drive to backup my data, I only have the 128GB SSD with windows on it and a 2TB hard drive for other things and those are both external... So What should I do?

 

[infraRED]

20 minutes ago, CHEESYnachoMAN4 said:

So Backup everything, then replace motherboard and re-install windows 10, Correct?

 

Only thing is that I don't have a external hard drive to backup my data, I only have the 128GB SSD with windows on it and a 2TB hard drive for other things and those are both external... So What should I do?

 

1. Back up all you need from the SSD
2. While reassembling the PC with the new Motherboard, DO NOT connect the 2 TB drive
3. Install Windows (by formatting the SSD)
4. Now connect the 2 TB drive
5. Enjoy your upgraded system

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

4 minutes ago, infraRED said:

1. Back up all you need from the SSD
2. While reassembling the PC with the new Motherboard, DO NOT connect the 2 TB drive
3. Install Windows (by formatting the SSD)
4. Now connect the 2 TB drive
5. Enjoy your upgraded system

Some people say it is possible to keep everything without formatting is that true?

[infraRED]

1 minute ago, CHEESYnachoMAN4 said:

Some people say it is possible to keep everything without formatting is that true?

Yeah, it is, but I have had some problems with a "dirty" installation, like Start not responding from time to time. I personally prefer clean installs, and advocate for them.

 

TL;DR-

Possible, but better to clean install just to be safe

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

1 minute ago, infraRED said:

Yeah, it is, but I have had some problems with a "dirty" installation, like Start not responding from time to time. I personally prefer clean installs, and advocate for them.

 

TL;DR-

Possible, but better to clean install just to be safe

Thanks for the info, How do I "dirty" Install if i choose to?

Also how come you have to re-install windows when you add a new motherboard in?

[infraRED]

While installing Windows, it'll give you an option to select the drive to install it on. Just make sure that your SSD is the only thing connected, then assuming you don't have any custom partitions there, click on the largest partition, and click install. You should be good.

 

There is something to do with generic driver compatibility. Not too sure, though.

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

Ok thanks so much! You've been a great help 

[infraRED]

Anytime, man!

[infraRED]

20 minutes ago, Strike105X said:

This is very wrong for one case in particular, if you upgraded to Windows 10 from 7/8 you will loose your free upgrade. When you assamble the new system make sure you use the same drive with the same windows and then make sure its still activated. Only after this you should proceed with doing a clean install of Windows 10, for safety it wouldn't be a bad idea to hook up your windows 10 to an ms account in case something goes wrong, before disassembling the old system of course.

Yeah, I might have glossed over the "Microsoft account" thing. Thanks for mentioning it!

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

I am currently on Windows 10 now, so what do i have to do when upgrading the motherboard? Im not upgrading from windows 7/8

 

4 hours ago, Strike105X said:

This is very wrong for one case in particular, if you upgraded to Windows 10 from 7/8 you will loose your free upgrade. When you assamble the new system make sure you use the same drive with the same windows and then make sure its still activated. Only after this you should proceed with doing a clean install of Windows 10, for safety it wouldn't be a bad idea to hook up your windows 10 to an ms account in case something goes wrong, before disassembling the old system of course.

 

[CHEESYnachoMAN4]

7 minutes ago, Strike105X said:

I think you misunderstood. How did you get your windows 10 ? Was it via the free upgrade last year ? Or did you buy a license for it ?

I bought the license I did not upgrade