One question - Do I format my current SSD OS drive before I install the mobo? Thanks much

Would have been nice for someone with the power to move this to gimme some 411..

Why would you re-format the drive, are you going for a clean install?  Also, you gave it a total of 15 minutes to get an answer.

It is a clean install. The cpu and fan are on the mobo. Have to do Win 7 to 10. Don't know if the drive causes issues if it's not formatted - still having the OS on it, etc. I am rushing to get this back up and running. Work to do and the current rig will not keep up with the load.

Why do you have to go to Win10.  You can plug your drive into the new mobo and it will work just fine.  I did this several years ago when I had a mobo crap out.  Replaced the mobo, CPU and memory, plugged everything else in and kept right on truckin'.
 
You can reformat the SSD or you can "upgrade" Win10 after your system boot with Win7.

There are a lot of extra registry items left from the old mobo that way in my understanding.. heck with it. I'm just gonna do it.
 I'm on 10 now and have my copy of 7. Just wanted clarity if there was an order to it for when to reformat.