Is my processor x64 Capable?

Published 19 January 6 5:31 PM | Charlie Russel

Deciding if a processor you have or want to buy is x64 capable should be easy, right? And certainly, if it’s an AMD processor, it’s fairly easy, though even they don’t make it as easy as they could. So, here's my best shot at giving you the information you need to figure out if your processor supports the x64 Editions of Microsoft Windows.

AMD Processors

AMD, the developers of the AMD64 architecture that is now called “x64” (a Microsoft invented name, so far as I know), are proud of their 64-bit processors and put the 64 right in the name. So, the easy answer is, if there is 64 in the name, it’s x64 capable! Plus, of course, all Opteron processors are x64 capable. So, that part is pretty easy, if you’re careful about looking at the name.  This means all Opteron, Athlon 64, Athlon 64 x2, Athlon 64 FX, Turion 64, and Mobile Athlon 64 processors are x64 capable.

Sempron processors are a bit trickier – if they’re 754 pin processors, they should be x64 capable, and they will, usually, say Sempron 64, but not universally. Sempron processors that use Socket A are not x64 capable.

Older, Athlon XP, processors, are definitely not x64 capable.

A good general rule for AMD processors is that Socket 754, Socket 939, and Socket 940 processors are x64 capable, as will the new Socket M processors be, when they’re released.

Intel Processors

 The story on the Intel side is a lot trickier and harder to tell what you’re getting. The code words to look for with Intel processors are “EM64T”, which is the Intel trademark for their version of x64 technology. (Well, you wouldn’t expect them to call it AMD64, now, would you?) With Intel, you need to know which processor series you’re getting, and sometimes you have to look at specific processor model numbers. I’m not going to try to keep a complete list here – it’s too hard to keep it up to date. But I’ll give you some basic guidelines, and after that, if you’re unsure, you’ll need to go to the Intel Processor page to get more details.

First, the easy ones. All Pentium D processors (800 series) are x64 capable, as well as being dual core. All mobile Intel processors, including the new Core Duo processors, are not x64 capable. (And yes, I’m seriously disappointed in Intel for not giving us dual core, x64 capable laptop processors. )

So much for the easy ones. Now, for the rest. Older Xeon (pre-2004) and Xeon MP processors are generally not x64 capable, and, of course, Itanium and Itanium2 processors are not x64 capable (though they ARE 64 bit, but a different architecture.)

Pentium 4 processors in the 600 series are x64 capable, as are the new 900 series processors. Pentium 4 and Celeron processors in the 300 and 500 series you’ll need to know the specific processor number, and then check against the master PDF list that Intel has at: http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number/proc_info_table.pdf.  And to find out exactly what processor number you have, download the processor identification utility from Intel: http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/cs-015477.htm

Finally, all current Xeon processors are x64 capable. For older ones, check against the master PDF list if in doubt.

Charlie.

Comments

# anything4stuart.allison@ntlworld.com said on May 27, 2006 6:34 AM:

I reckon that I need to find someway of converting my xp pro 32bit over to 64bit sooner rather than later, as my system will support it - if you've got it, why not use it I say!  The problem is how to get it?

# Magnon Damant said on May 27, 2006 11:42 AM:

I'd personally go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/prodinfo/default.mspx
and "Try it for free"
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/trial.mspx

I would imagine that after the free 120 day
trail there would be a way to purchase a
liceance for it, but as of yet have not
noticed a note about this on the above
web sites.

-Magnon Damant

# The ArcterJournal said on October 25, 2006 11:47 AM:

I think it might be finally time to upgrade my windows box. Its main uses for me are a) Photoshop and image editing/cataloging/organizing and b) gaming, gaming and more gaming. Oh, and it runs my accounting software. Of those three...