What modern hardware is good for upgrading my Win7 rig?

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BlueBonnett

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I want to upgrade but keep Windows 7 for the foreseeable future. The problem is, I now can't trust modern hardware not to cause problems.

What's some good modern hardware that is known to be compatible with Windows 7? Given that this forum is still alive and several of you are still active here, what do you Win7 gurus got rolling?

Is legacy mode in BIOS mandatory for being able to boot into Windows 7? If so, what brand motherboard is most likely to have this? Any particular ones I should avoid?

Note I am not installing Windows 7 but just plugging my OS SSD into a new, modern rig. This worked perfectly fine when I upgraded to a 7th gen i5 box.

I was also told to avoid 12th gen and newer because Win7 doesn't recognize E-cores or something.

Welcoming clarity and advice from all you gurus.

Thanks!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox
You will have to be a bit more specific. Intel 8&9 gen ( 300 series intel motherboards ) are not difficult for win7. Many people are using amd am4 motherboards with ryzen 3 and even ryzen 5 cpus.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
So I should stick to Intel 300-series motherboards? I saw a cheap Dell Optiplex with a 10th gen i5, should I go for it or avoid?

Any good custom PC builder sites? I intend to go barebones since I already have all the components except the case, mobo and CPU.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox
Can you read my signature below? I list the last CPU and chipset motherboard manufacture's supported with Windows 7. Generally 2017. Like the first quarter of 2017 if I'm not mistaken. Could be the third quarter of 2017. You could use more modern hardware too, but you're then having to use hacked drivers.

I'll just post my signature here since I don't think guests can see signatures let alone the avatar.



A very versatile and powerful alternative to Windows Search.
Highest motherboard support for Windows 7: Intel socket and chipset 2066, X299. AMD chipset X470. All for Gigabyte motherboards. Others are probably the same. Windows 7 laptops.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
What makes you think I'm a guest? I've been here for 10 years. :)

All I see in your signature is an ad for an alternative to Windows Search and "Windows 7 laptops" which I don't need. I'm seeking a desktop.

I don't mind using hacked drivers as long as they work, but I need to know whatever I need to know in advance before just impulsively buying hardware, paying expensive shipping fee only to find out that it's unusable for reasons I could've found out if I just bothered to ask, so here I am.

So far, I'm getting the impression that anything after 11th gen is to be avoided due to Win7 not recognizing E-cores properly and that I should avoid motherboards without CSM/legacy boot support, but how do I know in advance which mobo has CSM and which doesn't? Does this only apply to installing Win7 as opposed to just booting into the SSD that I already have my Win7 OS installed on?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
BlueBonnett said:
What makes you think I'm a guest? I've been here for 10 years. :)

All I see in your signature is an ad for an alternative to Windows Search and "Windows 7 laptops" which I don't need. I'm seeking a desktop.

I don't mind using hacked drivers as long as they work, but I need to know whatever I need to know in advance before just impulsively buying hardware, paying expensive shipping fee only to find out that it's unusable for reasons I could've found out if I just bothered to ask, so here I am.

So far, I'm getting the impression that anything after 11th gen is to be avoided due to Win7 not recognizing E-cores properly and that I should avoid motherboards without CSM/legacy boot support, but how do I know in advance which mobo has CSM and which doesn't? Does this only apply to installing Win7 as opposed to just booting into the SSD that I already have my Win7 OS installed on?
Click to expand...

I wasn't going to address this, but feel I need to.

BlueBonnett said:
What makes you think I'm a guest? I've been here for 10 years. :)
Click to expand...


I wasn't referring to you...


There are many others all around the world that visit this site. Thus I wanted to make sure others that visit can read what I had put in my signature since guests can't read signatures due to forum permissions...

BlueBonnett said:
All I see in your signature is an ad for an alternative to Windows Search and "Windows 7 laptops" which I don't need. I'm seeking a desktop.
Click to expand...

That's all you see? An Ad? Really?! Get your eyes checked I thinks... And it's not an Ad.

I posted what chipset and CPU socket motherboard manufactures stopped supporting at for Windows 7 compatibility. It's clear you don't know what that is. Basically, you're looking at hardware from 2017 when motherboard manufactures stopped supporting Windows 7. Or you can go hacked drivers for newer hardware. The choice is yours. Refer to SIW2.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
I didn't mean the latest official ones. My current system is circa 2017 and doesn't officially support Windows 7 yet it worked fine. I am looking to upgrade, so all of the best officially-compatible systems would be out.

Can someone answer my question, do I require a motherboard with CSM support? If yes, how do I know in advance if the mobo supports it or not?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox
do I require a motherboard with CSM support?
Click to expand...

the short answer is yes. It is possible to get around lack of csm but it would be a nuisance.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
Is there a list of motherboards with CSM?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
uhh i have no clue

i just found the seven forums suprised it is still active and it let me create a account
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 10 home 64 bit duall. Ooting windows ...Ryzen 9 7900x32Radeon rx 6650xt
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom using a old Dell XPS 8100 case
    OS
    Windows 10 home 64 bit duall. Ooting windows 7 home prem 64 bit
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASRock b650 pro wi-fi
    Memory
    32
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon rx 6650xt
    Sound Card
    Haven't put it in yet
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Old 27 inch acer monitors from the beginning of led uses dvi
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1tb Samsung 970 evo nvme
    4tb wd 5400 rpm hard drive
    1tb wd purple 7200 rpm hard drive got it for free
    PSU
    Some 750 watt Corsair
    Case
    Dell XPS 8100
    Cooling
    Watercooled
    Keyboard
    20 year old Lenovo will find out exactlyatee
    Mouse
    40$ Logitech g light sync paid 1$ at thrift store
    Internet Speed
    Yes
    Antivirus
    windows
    Browser
    Brave
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Antivirus
    THE windows one
BlueBonnett said:
What makes you think I'm a guest? I've been here for 10 years. :)

All I see in your signature is an ad for an alternative to Windows Search and "Windows 7 laptops" which I don't need. I'm seeking a desktop.

I don't mind using hacked drivers as long as they work, but I need to know whatever I need to know in advance before just impulsively buying hardware, paying expensive shipping fee only to find out that it's unusable for reasons I could've found out if I just bothered to ask, so here I am.

So far, I'm getting the impression that anything after 11th gen is to be avoided due to Win7 not recognizing E-cores properly and that I should avoid motherboards without CSM/legacy boot support, but how do I know in advance which mobo has CSM and which doesn't? Does this only apply to installing Win7 as opposed to just booting into the SSD that I already have my Win7 OS installed on?
Click to expand...

If you are going for intel 8/9 gen avoid oem machines such as Dell because they dont have csm. Consumer motherboards do have csm
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
i got windows 7 to work

I got windows 7 to dual boot with windows 10 on my laptop from 2023 its a dell but there is major driver issues
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 10 home 64 bit duall. Ooting windows ...Ryzen 9 7900x32Radeon rx 6650xt
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom using a old Dell XPS 8100 case
    OS
    Windows 10 home 64 bit duall. Ooting windows 7 home prem 64 bit
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASRock b650 pro wi-fi
    Memory
    32
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon rx 6650xt
    Sound Card
    Haven't put it in yet
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Old 27 inch acer monitors from the beginning of led uses dvi
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1tb Samsung 970 evo nvme
    4tb wd 5400 rpm hard drive
    1tb wd purple 7200 rpm hard drive got it for free
    PSU
    Some 750 watt Corsair
    Case
    Dell XPS 8100
    Cooling
    Watercooled
    Keyboard
    20 year old Lenovo will find out exactlyatee
    Mouse
    40$ Logitech g light sync paid 1$ at thrift store
    Internet Speed
    Yes
    Antivirus
    windows
    Browser
    Brave
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Antivirus
    THE windows one
What is the exact model of the laptop ?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
SIW2 said:
If you are going for intel 8/9 gen avoid oem machines such as Dell because they dont have csm. Consumer motherboards do have csm
Click to expand...
That would've been useful to know a week ago. Too late now.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i

  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox
I installed Win7x64 on an ASUS H410M C-CSM board with an I7-10700 using a temporarily connected DVD and the USB drivers preloaded to another partition. I didn't bother with the chipset "driver", or the LAN driver (I was using wifi with a TPLINK dongle).
Joe.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

windows 7 ultimatex64
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
asus x541sa
OS
windows 7 ultimatex64
joeyc100 said:
I installed Win7x64 on an ASUS H410M C-CSM board with an I7-10700 using a temporarily connected DVD and the USB drivers preloaded to another partition. I didn't bother with the chipset "driver", or the LAN driver (I was using wifi with a TPLINK dongle).
Joe.
Click to expand...

You did this on UEFI?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bitIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU8GB DDR4Intel HD Graphics 630
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU
Motherboard
Aspire TC-780
Memory
8GB DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 630
Monitor(s) Displays
1
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
One system SSD, one data SSD, one 2TB data HDD.
PSU
240w
Keyboard
Logitech USB wireless
Mouse
USB wireless
Browser
Firefox
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