Upgrade Motherboard - G3 desktop

Oniondip
Oniondip Member Posts: 2 New User
edited February 15 in 2020 Archives
Hey,

Hopefully this question hasnt been asked often and Im "that guy" I tried searching but couldnt find an exact answer. I have a G3 desktop with a Intel 7400. It is becoming very outdated as it was a weak chip even when it was new. I have decided I am going to slowly swap pieces out to make this PC competitive again. To start I want to swap mobo to a B550, and 3600. But also open the option to the new 5000 series chips when the time is right. However I have heard alot about Windows being locked to certain motherboards. Does anyone know is Acer has an authenticator locked to the motherboard? .. less confusing way of asking, do I need to purchase a new version of Windows 10, or will it work properly since I am keeping the same HD?


Thank you,

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,276 Trailblazer
    Most pre-built systems use the OEM license from Microsoft for the Windows install. That license is not transferable, so a MB swap means you need a new license. The activation key is stored in the BIOS, so also stays with the MB...
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Oniondip
    Oniondip Member Posts: 2 New User
    edited November 2020
    Thanks billsey, for your reply. I decided I wanted to do a new motherboard and CPU and knew buying a new license of Windows10 may be a part of the cost.

    I now have the answer for anyone else in the future who stumbles across this post. I made sure my license was tied to my Microsoft account. I even switched from the factory Intel 7400 to a Ryzen 3600 and B550 motherboard. This included new ram too. So I had several hardware changes. When I plugged my HD from my Acer into this new build it updated the system to work with the Ryzen CPU and my license of windows10 remained valid on my new build. So Acer does not tie the windows key to the motherboard. It may tie it until you link the license to your Microsoft account though?

    Long story short, I now no longer have an Acer. But I am going to do a few things to it and use it as my work PC and use my new build as my gaming PC. You did me well little buddy. Towards the end the CPU was hitting 100 degrees on all four cores before the fan would come screaming on at 100 percent, thats my only complaint. I ran several games at decent graphics @1080 res.

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