This Game is costing me $740....

[DonLorenzo]

Yes, but you do you have to reinstall your games because you got a new graphics card?

Well, not the games perhaps, but the drivers probably! Anyway these analogies are getting nowhere, point is sure windows COULD probably work perfectly fine through mobo switches, point is I think it's designed not to. It detects it's now in a different computer and that doesn't jive with its license. The developers have decided that a new GPU, HDD, CPU etc. doesn't count as a new computer, but a mobo does. I think that's fair since it's the most central part and probably the best way to determine (parts wise) the identity of a machine

[Red Iron Crown]

By the letter of the license, OEM Windows licenses cannot be moved to a machine with a new motherboard. In practice, a call to customer support will always result in them activating it for you. As long as you're not running two copies of the same license simultaneously I don't think Microsoft cares.

I think the language of the OEM license was changed for Windows 8 to reflect this.

[_Aramchek_]

Windows licence specifies that it's only for replacing a defective/broken one, so they're not obligated to give it to you.

Regardless, replacing the motherboard is still the most PITA thing to do when replacing things. Take EVERYTHING out, put EVERYTHING back in. It's a LOT riskier than replacing an individual component, so I'll still sit in the "Get a good mobo first" chair.

The license may state whatever, but the fact is, if you have problems after switching mb's you just call MS support give them a number, they verify it and validate your windows instal and there you go.

I've done this many times.

[MaxxQ]

The license may state whatever, but the fact is, if you have problems after switching mb's you just call MS support give them a number, they verify it and validate your windows instal and there you go.

I've done this many times.

Exactly. I have as well, and the last time was just last weekend. I didn't even have problems. The reinstall went great, and the only call I had to make was for activation. Get the automated system, clearly read out your product key when prompted, and type in the new one it gives you. Took about five minutes. It's so easy, a caveman could do it.

[pslytely psycho]

Thanks for all your help in coming up with a build. Your advice and links to benchmarking sites helped immensely.

One heck of an upgrade from my Acer Aspire laptop with 2.2Ghz AMD phenom II quad core, HD 7400M Radeon card and 8G of ram...It's not an upgrade, it's a whole different planet!

I just ordered it. Should be here Wednesday.

Final build:

AMD FX-8320 3.5Ghz Eight-Core Socket AM3+ Vishera Desktop Processor

Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 Chipset 4xDDR3 ATX Motherboard

Radeon R7 260X Core Edition 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card

G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1866MHz PC3-14900 Desktop RAM

Win 8.1

TP-Link TL-WN822N 300Mbps High Gain USB Wireless N Network Adaptor

Zalman CNPS5X Performa Low Noise CPU Cooler

Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE 24x SATA DVD+/-RW 5.25" Internal Drive

Toshiba DT01ACA200 SATA III 3.5" 2TB Hard Drive

Logisys CS368BB Mid-Tower ATX Computer Case with 480W PSU (Blue/Black)

Thanks to all of you who advised me. This is going to be the best computer I have ever built, or owned!

Final price (with discounts/coupons free shipping) $711 USD.

You Kerbals rock!

Edited March 9, 2014 by pslytely psycho

[LtHeckard]

The Radeon R7 260X is what I'm using as of now, really good card. I like mine very much.

What kind of Quad core do you have might I ask?

[pslytely psycho]

Sure go with a negative headline rather then

"Kerbal Space Program got me an amazing new computer"

Just wish I would of thought of that. Too bad I'm a crusty old fart!

[pslytely psycho]

The Radeon R7 260X is what I'm using as of now, really good card. I like mine very much.

What kind of Quad core do you have might I ask?

AMD Phenom II 2.2 Ghz. The laptop was great and plays most games I own pretty well on medium to high settings. But newer games were starting to drag it down. KSP was literally threatening to melt my system. After 14 months my ships have become insane! (but not Whackjob insane, my computer tells me 'Don't even think about it when I look at his posts!)

My son will love inheriting this from me as he doesn't have a computer at the moment.