64 bit processors

[superfastkyle]

I want to build a new pc which I haven't done in several years and am not up to date on a few things. Do 64 bit processors all require 64 bit windows (specifically amd)? and which ones? are they all true 64 bit or is it more or less used as a name (I'm assuming it is on the semprons)? Also I dont understand which ram to use with what processors. It was alot easier when everything was pc100 and pc133. For right now I mostly want something cheap to use for a media center, but would like something that I could upgrade my video card and/or processor and do some decent gaming on it in a year or two. Would a socket 754 still give me some upgrading room?

 

[Some1ne]

Do 64 bit processors all require 64 bit windows (specifically amd)?

No, you have it completely backwards. All 64-bit x86 processors out there are fully backwards compatible with 32-bit software. 32-bit processors are the limited ones, as they cannot run any 64-bit software.

are they all true 64 bit or is it more or less used as a name (I'm assuming it is on the semprons)?

They're all "true" 64-bit in that they have support for 64-bit instructions, 64-bit registers, and a 64-bit address space.

Also I dont understand which ram to use with what processors. It was alot easier when everything was pc100 and pc133.

Your mainboard will tell you what RAM to use. Generally though, 184-pin DDR SDRAM for AMD systems, and DDR2 RAM for Intel.

Would a socket 754 still give me some upgrading room?

Some, yes. It should be fine unless you want to go to dual-core.

 

[Unkno]

I would suggest getting a socket 939 since they would be much easier to upgrade later on. A huge update opportunity for the 939 would be dual core when the price drops down and you decide you need a faster computer.

 

[DaveSimmons]

> but would like something that I could upgrade my video card and/or processor and do some decent gaming on it in a year or two

For that you might want to get a motherboard with a PCI-E slot instead of AGP.