Swapping out without re-installing

Born_2_Kill_83 · 25 Nov 2015 at 15:09

My MSI X99S Gaming 7 has been sent back for RMA and I don't want to go 28 days or risk xmas without my computer

If I buy another MSI Gaming 7 or perhaps the MSI SLI plus, will I be able to drop all my other components back in and not have to reinstall windows again?

setter · 25 Nov 2015 at 16:30

I reckon it should be ok. They're all very similar basic spec boards. I done similar with xp on old Asus s939 nforce 4 boards without issue, a8n sli deluxe to a8n32 sli. Another gaming 7 will definitely be fine.

Borealis · 25 Nov 2015 at 16:33

If you replace like for like, with an identical replacement, then in theory you should just be able to switch over without reinstalling Windows.

Whether or not it would work in practice I don't know, as every time I've had a motherboard problem I've had to change model as mine has been either discontinued/out of stock.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 25 Nov 2015 at 18:45

Lucky enough I have ordered the same model, so fingures crossed for the weekend really really cba to re-install and put all my programs back on.

Choaski · 25 Nov 2015 at 19:07

It should work without issues, when i was an IT Tech, I would install windows onto multiple laptops of the same brand / model. We didn't have a PEX server so we use'd a HDD Clone device, never had any issues with that. They had different internal GPU's and different spec's.

Reality|Bites · 25 Nov 2015 at 19:22

If it's the same chipset all should be fine, you didn't even have to buy the same brand or model.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 25 Nov 2015 at 19:45

Oh right useful to know....