Intel Core 2 Duo Question

[Gigabite]

Hi

Currently I have a socket 754 AMD Athlon 64 processor. I plan to upgrade my processor to an Intel Core 2 Duo processor soon. I understand that i would have to replace my motherboard to one that has LGA 775 and i would need to buy new DDR2 RAM. I recently bought Windows Vista Business edition 32Bit. What i would like to know is can an Intel Core 2 Duo run on a 32bit OS? or does the OS have to be 64bit.

Thanks

[jlreich]

Yes a 64 bit CPU can run a 32 bit OS no problem. Not the other way around though, a 32 bit CPU can not run a 64 bit OS.

[Gigabite]

ok thanks Jlreich, another question is, is there any disadvantages of running a 32bit OS on a 64bit Processor?..in other words will running a 32 bit OS not take full advantage of the 64 bit processor?

[saphalline]

in other words will running a 32 bit OS not take full advantage of the 64 bit processor?Of course it won't. The top 32-bits of the CPU design are unused!

Is this a problem? Not really. Weren't you running a 32-bit OS on that Athlon 64 of yours before you got Vista? If you were running WinXP or an x86 version of Linux you were! But when it really comes down to it, 64-bit CPU's make darn good 32-bit CPU's, too!

Sure a 64-bit OS is going to run faster, but faster than what? Is WinXP Pro x64 going to run faster than WinXP Pro? Yes, but you wouldn't want to! :p Is x64 Linux going to run faster than x86 Linux? Yes, but Linux is also free! ;) Is Vista Business 64-bit going to run faster than Vista Business 32-bit? Yes, but do you feel like jumping through the hoops of getting a 64-bit license?

There will be a slight performance difference between Vista Business 64-bit and Vista Business 32-bit on a C2D w/2GB of RAM. And even more importantly, the 64-bit version supports up to 128GB of RAM, vs just 3GB with the 32-bit version. But to get the 64-bit version, you'll have to contact M$ and have them mail you 64-bit media plus a new license key, effectively voiding your current 32-bit license key. Not a major issue, but it is a major headache. You need to decide for yourself what you want to do.

I personally would recommend Vista 64-bit, but that's assuming you should even get Vista in the first place! :p And on the flip side, running Vista 32-bit on that 64-bit hardware of yours isn't going to cause a single problem. So at this point, it's down to your personal preference...

[Gigabite]

Of course it won't. The top 32-bits of the CPU design are unused!

Is this a problem? Not really. Weren't you running a 32-bit OS on that Athlon 64 of yours before you got Vista? If you were running WinXP or an x86 version of Linux you were! But when it really comes down to it, 64-bit CPU's make darn good 32-bit CPU's, too!

Sure a 64-bit OS is going to run faster, but faster than what? Is WinXP Pro x64 going to run faster than WinXP Pro? Yes, but you wouldn't want to! :p Is x64 Linux going to run faster than x86 Linux? Yes, but Linux is also free! ;) Is Vista Business 64-bit going to run faster than Vista Business 32-bit? Yes, but do you feel like jumping through the hoops of getting a 64-bit license?

There will be a slight performance difference between Vista Business 64-bit and Vista Business 32-bit on a C2D w/2GB of RAM. And even more importantly, the 64-bit version supports up to 128GB of RAM, vs just 3GB with the 32-bit version. But to get the 64-bit version, you'll have to contact M$ and have them mail you 64-bit media plus a new license key, effectively voiding your current 32-bit license key. Not a major issue, but it is a major headache. You need to decide for yourself what you want to do.

I personally would recommend Vista 64-bit, but that's assuming you should even get Vista in the first place! :p And on the flip side, running Vista 32-bit on that 64-bit hardware of yours isn't going to cause a single problem. So at this point, it's down to your personal preference...

A 64 bit Vista OS supports 128GB of RAM while a 32 bit only supports 3GB? So you're saying that the maximum amount of RAM i can use is 3GB if i have Windows Vista 32 bit?:confused:. Also i've heard that alot of programs don't work with a 64bit OS, is this true? And finally, you say that I can get a 64bit OS by contacting M$?.. lol what is M$.. If its Microsoft, will i have to pay a fee to get a 64 bit OS?

Thanks