New mobo + windows 8 upgrade possible?

Hi, Id like to start by saying my knowledge of PC's, software, hardware etc. is very limited and big words do confuse me.

My issue is that my current PC is quite old and dated and I want to upgrade it, however I cant afford a complete new build all at once.

I want to upgrade my mother board firstly, however currently Im running OEM Windows 7 Home Edition and if I have my facts straight I wont be able to just upgrade my mobo without installing a new version of windows.

I would also like to upgrade to windows 8, ideally by purchasing the upgrade DVD.

Is it possible to do both? and if so, how?

My assumption is if I upgrade to windows 8 before I change the mobo, I cant change the mobo without a new version of windows as it will be tied to the old mobo. And if I change the mobo first, I cant run the upgrade DVD properly.

Hopefully Im wrong and its a really simple process, any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

First off, depending on how old the motherboard your replacing is, you may end up having parts that are not compatible with your new motherboard. You may be doing yourself a disservice trying to buy a motherboard to fit those older parts as well. You can build pretty cheaply gathering part from Newegg.com for a new build, if you looked into it already you might already be aware of that.

As far as the OS goes. If you don't have a retail copy of Windows that can be installed into your new build and then upgraded to Windows 8, then you might be better off just installing something like Ubuntu while you wait on the release of Windows 8. Then pickup an OEM version of Windows 8 that you could do a full install with.

My question is HOW old is your old system?

Windows 8 actually works surprisingly well on older systems. The only problem I've come across with running 8 on elder, senile systems is screen resolution. Usually, the old video card isn't supported anymore by the company that built it, so Windows will use a generic driver for it, but sometimes that generic driver doesn't support good screen resolutions.

Also, how much are you going to spend for a new motherboard? The problem I see here is that if you have older parts, they most likely won't be compatible with the new board. For example, the processor won't fit into the motherboard's processor socket, or the RAM isn't compatible.

I'd go for a Mobo/Processor/Memory bundle. You may have a problem with Graphics card (no compatible slot) so perhaps go for a mobo with graphics built-in. (Add a card later).

And some older processors fall foul of the PAE/NX issue (unless MS have remnoved this?).

My PC is about 3 years old at the moment, I got it not long after the windows 7 release.

I am aware that a new processor and RAM may be needed but if my budget has to stretch to that then i cant risk buying and upgrade version of windows 8 instead of an OEM/retail one if it just going to be wasted cash.

If I were to replace the motherboard first, then try booting from the windows 8 upgrade disc, would it upgrade and attach itself to the new mobo or would it be tied to the old one still? Also would booting right from disc after a new mobo/processor/ram instal be ok?

Thanks again for the help guys/gals

I just had a conversation over live chat with Microsoft, according to them I cant do what I want to do, although the very English/American named "Lewis" didn't really seem to have the best grasp of the English language.

I have included the conversation below in case it benefit anyone else.

Thank you again for the help you have provided everyone

Lewis: Hello, Matt. Welcome to Microsoft Customer Service Chat. Kindly give me a moment to review your question. Is that okay?Matt: Of course
Matt: oh and hello
Lewis: Thank you for being on hold.
Matt: No problem
Lewis: I understand that you need assistance with the information of Windows 8 Upgrade from your Windows 7 where you wish to replace the MotherBoard for your Windows 7. Am I right?
Matt: Yes that is correct
Lewis: Thank you for the confirmation.
Lewis: Note: The Product Activation for Windows 7 is associated with your Windows 7 OEM MotherBoard and if changed cannot be activated. You need to have a Retail Windows 7 in such a case to activate the Windows 7 Device initially for a MotherBoard replaced condition.
Lewis: Then, you may go ahead for the Windows 8 Upgrade.
Lewis: To make it clear for you, technically the Product key for your Windows 7 is associated only with the MotherBoard.
Matt: If I changed the mobo first, didnt turn the pc on, inserted the windows 8 upgrade disc and booted from that, would it work?
Lewis: If you change the MotherBoard, it is not possible to Upgrade for Windows 8 Latest Operating system yet to release on 26th Of Oct-2012.
Matt: oh yes i know it isnt out until the 26th, im planning ahead
Lewis: No, Matt.
Lewis: It is not at all suggested and may loose all your Windows 7 Data and Information you ahve.
Lewis: Please stop the Upgrade from Windows 8.
Lewis: I am sorry, the declared date of release is 26th Oct-2012.
Lewis: You may go ahead for the options as suggested above technically.
Matt: does the windows 8 upgrade disc have its own product key? can it also only be associated with 1 mobo?
Lewis: I would suggest you to please purchase a Windows 8 Retail Edition copy which will help you with all the possibilities and help you experience the Latest user friendly software.
Matt: but thats like 4 times the price
Lewis: Matt, the Upgrade disc is also base on the Windows 7 previous version of Windows.
Matt: Ok lewis, thank you for your help
Lewis: You are most welcome.
Lewis: I would suggest you to go for a Windows 8 Retail copy.

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Depending on your choice of brand, AMD or Intel, a bund kit like madhorseman stated would be the way to go. That would be the best bang for the buck for anyone on a limited budget.

Motherboard Bundles, CPU Motherboard Bundle, Processor Motherboard Combo at TigerDirect.com

While I thank you for your help still, this post was about getting around the OEM win 7 I have being tied to an obsolete mother board and getting around upgrading the motherboard and the OS by using an upgrade dvd instead of a retail/OEM version.

But as people are so eager to talk about the processor and such:

I intend to keep my current processor (for the time being) My amazing athalon II x2 245

Get this motherboard [h=1]Gigabyte 970A-D3 AMD 970A[/h]And get 8gb of DDR3 RAM

The motherboard is an AM3 AM3+ socket but it is backwards compatable with my Athalon processor so I can spread the cost of the build a bit easier.

I don't know whether this applies outside of the US, but here Microsoft has done away with the traditional retail version of Windows 8. The "system builder" form does double duty: it can be used by small-scale PC builders for resale, or by DIY types like the old retail license. (DIY users can also transfer it to a new machine. People who buy it pre-installed won't be permitted to transfer it. Whether this will be done in an enforceable way, I have no idea.)

I'm not sure about support, but MS support for their OSes has been limited to 90 days (starting with the first use of support), so I've regarded it as essentially useless.

bobkn said:

I don't know whether this applies outside of the US, but here Microsoft has done away with the traditional retail version of Windows 8. The "system builder" form does double duty: it can be used by small-scale PC builders for resale, or by DIY types like the old retail license. (DIY users can also transfer it to a new machine. People who buy it pre-installed won't be permitted to transfer it. Whether this will be done in an enforceable way, I have no idea.)

I'm not sure about support, but MS support for their OSes has been limited to 90 days (starting with the first use of support), so I've regarded it as essentially useless.

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Hey bobkn, I would really like to see that from MS in writing about DIY being able to transfer the OS. Do you have any reference links.

I just had a bit of a search around, I cant find any UK prices yet (as Im English) but after a bit of digging I found THIS.

It essentially states that under the Personal Use License for System Builder (PULSB) you can install on a new machine as long as you remove it from an old machine, and that you are the owner of the new machine. This can be done countless times.

Big thanks to Bobkn for bringing this license to my attention, I didnt even know it existed.

The system builder prices seem to be around $100 for basic $120 for pro and $150 for ultimate.

themele said:

Get this motherboard Gigabyte 970A-D3 AMD 970A

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Well you're off to a good start there. Almost the same motherboard I used in my new build about a month ago. I've always had very good luck with Gigabyte motherboards.

footysr said:

Well you're off to a good start there. Almost the same motherboard I used in my new build about a month ago. I've always had very good luck with Gigabyte motherboards.

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Ironically this whole mess is caused by my current Gigabyte board, although it is working absolutely perfectly, it only has 2 sata connections, and I want a second HDD in my pc.

Needing a new HDD has turned into me needing a new mobo, new ram, and new OS, and of course, the original HDD I needed... YAY!!!

bassfisher6522 said:

bobkn said:

I don't know whether this applies outside of the US, but here Microsoft has done away with the traditional retail version of Windows 8. The "system builder" form does double duty: it can be used by small-scale PC builders for resale, or by DIY types like the old retail license. (DIY users can also transfer it to a new machine. People who buy it pre-installed won't be permitted to transfer it. Whether this will be done in an enforceable way, I have no idea.)

I'm not sure about support, but MS support for their OSes has been limited to 90 days (starting with the first use of support), so I've regarded it as essentially useless.

Click to expand...

Hey bobkn, I would really like to see that from MS in writing about DIY being able to transfer the OS. Do you have any reference links.

Click to expand...

This isn't direct from Microsoft, but I expect that Ed Bott is a reliable source:

Microsoft radically overhauls license agreements for Windows 8 | ZDNet