[AzzarTheGod]

I'm familiar with the other stuff. My main confusion was about how to keep my HD and operating system the same,

I'd like to get a new HD if I could keep my OS and data from the current HD.

Apple has the firewire to move data quickly. I just don't know how to salvage the data from my HD and transfer it to a new HD in a timely fashion.

If it becomes too much trouble I guess I would be willing to reluctantly abandon windows 7 (very very reluctantly, honestly I would probably rebuy Windows 7 on ebay and install it clean).

The motherboard Q stemmed from wanting to avoid getting a new rig and not being able to plug my second HD in anywhere due to compatibility with the connector slot, etc.