Will I need to reinstall?

chromatica

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I'm planning on replacing my motherboard and cpu(amd phenom 2 980/foxconn a9das) with and intel 3570k/msi g45.
Will this require the reinstallation of windows 8?
If so, how many times can I use my activation key?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820k @4.4ghz
    Motherboard
    Asrock Fatal1ty x99x Killer
    Memory
    16gb Gskill ddr4 2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    Evga Gtx 980 superclocked
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" led
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    samsung 840 evo 250gb
    intel 520 120gb
    seagate barracuda 2tb
    seagate barracuda 1tb
    PSU
    thermaltake 850watt
    Case
    nzxt phantom enthusiast
    Cooling
    corsair h100i
    Keyboard
    razer blackwidow ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    razer deathadder 2013
    Internet Speed
    36mbps
    Browser
    chrome
    Antivirus
    mse
I don't believe you'll need to reinstall, just reactivate. If Windows 8 works like 7 in this manner, you should be able to have 30 days to reactivate. You MIGHT be able to get away with it, as if you are just using that one license on that one PC and it's not being used elsewhere, it should just take reactivation and/or a call to Microsoft support and saying, "Whoa bro, I just need to reactivate."

I'm not terribly sure, but maybe someone else might have the actual answer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I think most software companies' stance is that pirates won't try to call in. If they do, they probably have some warning signs we don't know about to indicate they're using a pirated copy. I cannot say I've called in myself, but I would place bets that changing that hardware won't invalidate your copy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
Sweet. Thanks guys. I've only ever upgraded from an amd based cpu/mb to a amd cpu/mb in windows 7 and required no reinstallation/activation.
So for sure amd to intel will be the same?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820k @4.4ghz
    Motherboard
    Asrock Fatal1ty x99x Killer
    Memory
    16gb Gskill ddr4 2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    Evga Gtx 980 superclocked
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" led
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    samsung 840 evo 250gb
    intel 520 120gb
    seagate barracuda 2tb
    seagate barracuda 1tb
    PSU
    thermaltake 850watt
    Case
    nzxt phantom enthusiast
    Cooling
    corsair h100i
    Keyboard
    razer blackwidow ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    razer deathadder 2013
    Internet Speed
    36mbps
    Browser
    chrome
    Antivirus
    mse
You are allowed to upgrade your hardware so long as it’s not completely new PC…
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 & Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II X2 245
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H
    Memory
    4096 MB DDR2-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On bord
I'm planning on replacing my motherboard and cpu(amd phenom 2 980/foxconn a9das) with and intel 3570k/msi g45.
Will this require the reinstallation of windows 8?
If so, how many times can I use my activation key?

Windows 8 may detect the hardware change and automatically install the right drivers. Or, you may be unable to boot into Windows. A clean install is safest, but it may be unnecessary. Re-activation should be necessary. I believe that there will be no grace period on that. (Even Windows 7 didn't give 30 days on a motherboard swap.) I have yet to do telephone activation on Windows 8, but if it's like 7, it'll take about 5 minutes.

What sort of Windows 8 License do you have? if it's a System Builder license, you may move it and re-activate at will. If it's an upgrade license, you can also move it, although things might get a little sticky with the old OS that qualifies the upgrade.

I can't imagine that you have a manufacturer's OEM copy, so you shouldn't be stuck with a license that Microsoft would refuse to activate on new hardware.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Window 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    I7-3930k
    Motherboard
    Asus P9X79 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GTX 680
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster Zx
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA246Q
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Force GT 120GB
    WD Cavair Black 1.5TB
    PSU
    PC Power & cooling Silencer 750
    Case
    Silverstone FT02B-W
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 w/ PWM fans
    Keyboard
    cheap Logitech USB wired
    Mouse
    old 5 button Microsoft USB optical
    Internet Speed
    6Mb cable
Just for my curiosity, what model of G45 did you get ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820k @4.4ghz
    Motherboard
    Asrock Fatal1ty x99x Killer
    Memory
    16gb Gskill ddr4 2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    Evga Gtx 980 superclocked
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" led
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    samsung 840 evo 250gb
    intel 520 120gb
    seagate barracuda 2tb
    seagate barracuda 1tb
    PSU
    thermaltake 850watt
    Case
    nzxt phantom enthusiast
    Cooling
    corsair h100i
    Keyboard
    razer blackwidow ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    razer deathadder 2013
    Internet Speed
    36mbps
    Browser
    chrome
    Antivirus
    mse
I'm planning on replacing my motherboard and cpu(amd phenom 2 980/foxconn a9das) with and intel 3570k/msi g45.
Will this require the reinstallation of windows 8?
If so, how many times can I use my activation key?

Windows 8 may detect the hardware change and automatically install the right drivers. Or, you may be unable to boot into Windows. A clean install is safest, but it may be unnecessary. Re-activation should be necessary. I believe that there will be no grace period on that. (Even Windows 7 didn't give 30 days on a motherboard swap.) I have yet to do telephone activation on Windows 8, but if it's like 7, it'll take about 5 minutes.

What sort of Windows 8 License do you have? if it's a System Builder license, you may move it and re-activate at will. If it's an upgrade license, you can also move it, although things might get a little sticky with the old OS that qualifies the upgrade.

I can't imagine that you have a manufacturer's OEM copy, so you shouldn't be stuck with a license that Microsoft would refuse to activate on new hardware.
The license that was included with the $40 upgrade @microsoft.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820k @4.4ghz
    Motherboard
    Asrock Fatal1ty x99x Killer
    Memory
    16gb Gskill ddr4 2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    Evga Gtx 980 superclocked
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 27" led
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    samsung 840 evo 250gb
    intel 520 120gb
    seagate barracuda 2tb
    seagate barracuda 1tb
    PSU
    thermaltake 850watt
    Case
    nzxt phantom enthusiast
    Cooling
    corsair h100i
    Keyboard
    razer blackwidow ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    razer deathadder 2013
    Internet Speed
    36mbps
    Browser
    chrome
    Antivirus
    mse
I upgraded Win7 to Win8 PRO on Oct 28th. Last week my Gigabyte AMD785 motherboard failed. I replaced it with an ECS AMD 880 mb with different graphics and ethernet adapter. The Win8 automatically installed itself on the new hardware. I was amazed that win8 was able to find the new nic and then go online to update all the other hardware. I did have to reactivate by using the automated process via telephone. You enter a series of numbers and they give you back a set of numbers to allow the re-activation. The process asks how many pc's on which you have installed his copy of win8 and you must say "none" or it will not activate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    3.1ghz PhenomII
    Motherboard
    ECS Elitegroup A880GM
    Memory
    4gb ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI HD4250 (onboard)
    Hard Drives
    SSD for OS, HDD for data
Thank you, I am planning to change my mobo in the future. It is a pity that they don't have a thank you button on this forum!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Thank you, I am planning to change my mobo in the future. It is a pity that they don't have a thank you button on this forum!

Here you go.

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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