Upgrade from DDR3 to DDR4 may need reinstalling Windows.
Upgrade from DDR3 to DDR4 may need reinstalling Windows.
I improved my system from an i5 4570 with Asus B85m-g and DDR3 to an i5 7600 with Asus B250F Strix Gaming, using DDR4 Single 1x16. (SSD, HDD and GTX 1060 remained the same). After installing the new parts, I tried booting and the setup asked to run BIOS. After saving and exiting it, the system automatically started Windows (it mentioned devices are ready, took some time). Eventually, Windows 10 launched. When playing the MKXL game, I noticed FPS drops. My concern is whether installing the MBOO CD and updating all drives is sufficient, or if I should reinstall Windows 10. Please advise with suggestions.
Best option: Safely transfer your SSD to your HDD, erase the SSD, then reinstall Windows.
It isn't the upgrade from DDR3 to DDR4 that caused the need to reinstall Windows. Some boards support both types, but after replacing the board, the chipset changed and Windows identified it as a new device, prompting driver installation. Differences in internal components, such as sound chips, also play a role. Modern drivers are often bundled packages that cover multiple hardware types, like Radeon or NVIDIA cards. When you first set up with the old board, drivers for its chipset were included in the installation files, which Windows used automatically. In the past, mismatched drivers and file versions led to instability, crashes, or reboots, making it wise to reinstall the OS whenever a major system component changes.
Windows requires updates for nearly all components. Since you swapped out the motherboard, you now possess a fresh chipset and a Windows setup tailored for the previous one. Even after adding the new chipset drivers, remnants of the old ones remain. Therefore, clear the SSD and reinstall Windows.
In fact, newer Windows versions starting from 8 offer better stability when switching between different motherboards with various chipsets. This is because they automatically replace outdated drivers with those needed for the new hardware, avoiding common compatibility problems. Before a complete reinstall, it’s wise to install chipset-specific drivers from official sources such as the motherboard manufacturer's site or their component suppliers (Intel for most chipsets, Realtek for sound/graphics, and NVIDIA). Using the system's default drivers may lead to issues, so opting for the correct ones ensures smoother performance.