I'm planning to upgrade my old 2010s PC since Windows 10 support is ending soon. Currently, I have an i7 3770k and I'm considering a Ryzen 7 9700x bundle from Microcenter. Aside from upgrading my SSD and graphics card, I haven't done much in the way of upgrades since my original build in 2013. Will my existing SSD still work, or do I need to perform a fresh Windows install? I also have a 2080ti graphics card; will I need to clean install the drivers as well?
5 Answers
I just switched from an i7-10700 to a 9700X without any bumps in the road. I did a clean install of Windows 11, but it really depends on your comfort level.
You might want to consider doing a fresh Windows install, especially to avoid potential issues later. It's not strictly necessary, but it’s usually the best practice when switching platforms.
Is there a specific reason for the fresh install, or is it just a safety measure?
Reinstalling Windows isn't mandatory, but it’s definitely less of a hassle if you run into problems. A clean install can save you from ghost drivers from your old Intel setup.
Totally understand that! I think having everything clean helps for sure.
Your SSD should work fine. If you purchased a retail version of Windows, it will still be licensed and won’t require a new copy. Just make sure to link your Microsoft account to your local login—it’ll simplify things.
That’s good to know! I planned to clone my drive then upgrade to Windows 11—should I be worried about any issues?
Definitely keep an eye out for old drivers. They might cause some boot issues.
If you keep your GPU, you probably won’t face many issues. However, if you haven’t done a fresh install in ten years, it might be worth considering one now and aiming for Windows 11.
Yeah, I started with Windows 7 back in the day, so I’m pretty sure I need to upgrade!
That's good to hear! Maybe I should prepare for a clean install but see how it goes first.