Originally posted by Kilrane

Originally posted by ShakyMo
He won't need a new OS licence if he has his old hd somewhere on his pc

Windows 7 OEM license is tied to the motherboard, not the harddrive. The OP is replacing the MB and since that license is non transferable (if its OEM) than yes, the OP does need a new copy of Win 7 and should include that into the price while looking for replacement hardware.

D:

Can I just buy a liscense instead?

Originally posted by Arakazi

Originally posted by Kilrane

Originally posted by ShakyMo
He won't need a new OS licence if he has his old hd somewhere on his pc

Windows 7 OEM license is tied to the motherboard, not the harddrive. The OP is replacing the MB and since that license is non transferable (if its OEM) than yes, the OP does need a new copy of Win 7 and should include that into the price while looking for replacement hardware.

D:

Can I just buy a liscense instead?

Yes, you can just buy a license from Microsoft but its the same price as buying the physical OEM version from any retail outlet.

If you bought the retail version originally that license is transferable to a new machine. Most of the time users who build their own machines get the OEM license because its cheaper, so thats what my guess is in your case.

As you mentioned having the Windows 7 box (assuming it's the larger strangly shaped version) you probably have the retail version in which case you would not have to buy a new copy of the license.  Do you recall when you purchased your previous system roughly how much you paid for Windows 7?  That right there would most likely tell us whether you have an OEM or Retail version.

I have also heard of people getting an OEM version "reset" by calling MS and telling them their old MB died and they are replacing it.  Considering you are in fact replacing only parts of your old system due to it failing you might qualify to have that done (if it's OEM that is).

Originally posted by Arakazi
I have two versions of windows. One windows Vista that came installed my old Dell PC which I'm currently using and the retail version I bought from Amazon. As far as I was aware the retail version was my own license and could use on as many machines as I liked, while the one that came installed in my old PC was tied to that PC.

If you indeed purchased a regular retail copy then you can reuse that.  Be aware though that Amazon does sell OEM versions as well.  Did the one you purchase come with both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions?  If not it's likely an OEM copy or as Amazon calls it "Systems Builder" version.

Examples of OEM:

32-bit

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-32bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0T10A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347589900&sr=8-3&keywords=windows+7+oem

64-bit

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=pd_cp_sw_0

Full Retail version:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-7-Home-Premium/dp/B002DHGMK0/ref=sr_1_4?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1347590194&sr=1-4&keywords=windows+7

Upgrade version:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-Upgrade/dp/B002DHLUWK/ref=sr_1_2?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1347590194&sr=1-2&keywords=windows+7

Below is a copy of the OEM version of Windows 7 home premium

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347590157&sr=8-1&keywords=windows+7=-0

Below is the retail copy of the same version of Windows 7 home premium. It's also double the price of the OEM version and it comes packaged in a fancy looking box.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-7-Home-Premium/dp/B002DHGMK0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1347590157&sr=8-4&keywords=windows+7

If you got your version of Windows in a generic looking package its probably the OEM version. If your copy of Windows came in a fancy looking box, similar as the one in my second link, its probably the retail version.

If you still have some functionality of your computer you can also right-click on My Computer and select Properties. On General Tab, under “Registered to:” you can see a product ID (divided into 4 groups of characters separated by hyphens). On an OEM installation, the 2nd group of characters is always OEM whereas on a Retail installation, you will see numbers (such 042).

Hopefully these methods will help you determine if you own the OEM or retail copy of Windows.

Originally posted by Arakazi
I have two versions of windows. One windows Vista that came installed my old Dell PC which I'm currently using and the retail version I bought from Amazon around the begining of this year for around £80. As far as I was aware the retail version was my own license and could use on as many machines as I liked, while the one that came installed in my old PC still belongs to Dell and is tied to that PC.

The price you paid kind of leads me to believe you have an OEM copy of windows which would mean you need to buy a new license sadly. 

OEM copy is about $120 US, Retail copy is about $200 or at least these were the prices at the beggining of the year. 

Originally posted by Quizzical

Originally posted by Arakazi

Thanks for all the replies. 

I'm keeping one of the HDD, my two blueray dvd writers, PSU,  wifi network card and the GPU - Nvdia 560 as well as my 24" screen. I've already bought the case and another HDD today and I'm still looking at what CPU I want to buy. AMD Bulldozers seem really, really cheap but I will probably go with an i5. 8GB of ram and a gigabyte MB.

What case, and what power supply?  And you didn't mention an SSD as something that you're either keeping from an old build or buying for a new one.  You'll probably need a new OS license, too.

Considering you are building this new system based on the failure of your old one I'd highly suggest you find out exactly what PSU model you own.  If you aren't sure feel free to use the following link to help you out.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page1373.htm

Built this today while at work as a "budget build" for a friend. She already has a Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, and OS license.

[CPU] ($90) AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0ghz 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

[CPU Heatsink] ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

[Thermal Paste & Cleaner Combo] ($15)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1046967

[MOBO] ($85) ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+ AMD 970
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

[RAM] ($30) G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180

[HDD] ($70) Western Digital Caviar Blue
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769 

[CASE] ($60) Cooler Master ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

[PSU] ($145) Corsair HX Series HX750 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

[GPU] ($150) HD 6850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

[DVD Burner] ($20)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204


Total: $665

Hope it helps?

ps: It'll run GW2 on highest settings minus some Anti-Aliasing or Post Processing crap :P. Probably get you 50-60fps on Medium to High.

Originally posted by Arakazi
The PSU I'm going to use is OCZ OCZ600MXSP-UK ModXStream Pro 600W ATX Power Supply. My old sytem was failing before I bought it in the hope it would solve my problems. It's less than a week old, so it should be fine since I only use one GFX card. 

People ask because a good PSU is critical, if it goes it can take a lot of other components out. There are a ton of PSU's out there but only a few that are really worth getting. Many simply aren't that safe to be honest lol. 

The one you have isn't bad though. 

This list is a year old but still very relevant for most consumers.  I HIGHLY suggest you take a look to get an idea of whom to look for in the future for PSU purchases.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913.html