Clone HDD to SSD to go into New PC

Sandycheeks · 27 Mar 2015 at 17:59

I have bought a Z77 mobo and a 2550k along with a 850 EVO 250GB SSD to upgrade my lads PC from a AMD A10 6800K.
Should I do a fresh install of W7 on the SSD or should I clone his existing boot drive as there are a couple of other things on there also.
Not too bothered about doing a fresh install as it only takes about 20 mins or so.
I guess my question is: will I have any issues going AMD to Intel...was wondering if the chipset makes any difference to such things.

If I would be better doing a fresh install is it possible to add the SSD to my PC and install W7 from there or is it better to just assemble his new components with the SSD and install fresh from there.

I have an old dell machine I could pinch the PSU from just to try but would you risk it ?
I also have 4x1GB of Ram from and old PC that I could use to get things moving - I want to build it outside the case really but don't want to unplug the PSU from my or his current PC.
I want to make sure it all works then just transplant it into his case.

setter · 27 Mar 2015 at 18:02

Personally id do a fresh install, avoids any conflicts with chipset drivers etc. Like you say it only takes 20 minutes which isnt a lot of time.

KillBoY_UK · 27 Mar 2015 at 18:15

If its a boot drive your trying to clone then its not possible the File allocation tables for the boot sectors will be different, trust me I've tried similar to what your trying to do.

On Holiday · 27 Mar 2015 at 18:15

Fresh install all the way.

wazza300 · 27 Mar 2015 at 18:17

it depends what chipset,some work fine,windows will install any needed drivers ive switched from different intel chipsets just fine but not from amd to intel

I would clone it and try first,you can always format and do clean install later

you might need to re register windows aswell so make sure you have the serial handy,use magic jellybean program if you don't have the serial/box

Borealis · 27 Mar 2015 at 18:22

I'd go with a fresh install as well. It rules out any driver/chipset conflicts. As you point out, it doesn't take long.

What sort of Dell PSU is it and how old?

Sandycheeks · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:17

My old Vista PSU

The Dell has a smaller non standard 24 pin plug.

Mynight · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:20

What gpu is it running? Iirc the 2550k has no igpu.

That psu is only 250w I also wouldn't push it.

Sandycheeks · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:22

As the 2550k has no igpu will I need to add in my old 6670 for the time being or will the ROG Maximus V Gene have onboard graphics.
Is the power supply above able to handle the requirements of a stock 2550k and a 6670 1GB DDR 3 gpu

Sandycheeks · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:23

I am not planning on running it like this....just setting it up on the worktop to make sure everything works and get it set up before transplanting into my sons PC on his birthday.

Mynight · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:26

Afaik its onboard is only ever built into the cpu not mobo. I could be wrong though.

I can't find the AMD reccomendations on their site but other results are throwing up between 300-450w minimum. That's just for the gpu.

Not worth the risk mate. Best case it doesn't power it worst case it pops and takes something with it

.

Sandycheeks · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:30

Ok no worries....Was thinking that anyway after just popping the side off the old PC that has been in the garage for the last 18 months.
I was thinking about the possible effects that the cold/damp weather could have had and added that to the fact that the PSU is about 8 years old now.
Thanks.

Sandycheeks · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:34

One more thing then.
Last time I did a fresh install of win7 I ended up with odd personal folder...
Jack,
Jack 1,
Jack 2.

I have his user folder sat on the storage partition on his HDD but when I re-installed Win7 it added another Jack folder (Jack 1) and then again the second time around (Jack 2), not really sure how to deal with it and not sure whats tied into what because Jack_seems to have nothing in it really, Jack 1_Has everthing in it, and Jack 2_Has a bit of stuff in it. ??? Obviously something I did wrong but don't know what.
I will have a look through and try to sort it out this week.

Mynight · 27 Mar 2015 at 21:39

I've never been a fan of partitioning the hard drive I just give windows free roam if it's a single drive.

Personally I'd copy all files off onto another drive or usb then reinstall the entire drive and copy the files back into the correct folder.

Iirc PSU do degrade over the years so it will probably be less than 250w these days. I don't really know the effect of cold on a psu if I'm honest.