Using half of my Q6600 Core2 in XP Home OS?

[rivbyte]

P-35 Platinum MS-7345 Mobo

Windows XP Home Edition SP3 (32 Bit)
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs)
2.4 GHz, 3328 MB RAM (64 bit)
Corsair XMS2 2x2GB=4.0GB PC6400 DDR2 (only seeing 3.3GB)
NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT 512 Memory Size
Realtek HD Audio Output Sound
DirectX version: 9.0c
Monitor: Viewsonic VX2035wm Series
WD 500 GB HDD / WD 74GB RAPTOR HDD
NERO 9
Pinnacle Studio 14 Ultimate HD
_____________________________________________

Hello,
My CPU is a 64BIT.
Time to dump XP (which has been very loyal to thee) because I need more memory than the 3.3 my XP is dishing out.

Frustrating when sometimes, not all the time, I'm editing video in Pinnacle STUDIO, then program crashes,even though I free up as much as I can, the valuable resources, like DEGRAG, Turn off Firewall, Anti-virus software, delete all Auxiliary files and temp files, and recycle bin, log off the internet, end task running programs,etc., just to be able to edit video.

In using exhaustive memory programs like Photoshop and Pinnacle Studio 14HD, I will definitely need more than my 3.3 Ram, maybe up to the 8GB Max with my MSI MoBo.

Although this machine is about four years old, not exactly an antique, (there are those who may beg to differ) I'm not financially ready to do a major re-vamp in getting a new motherboard, CPU,and buying new DDR3 RAM. So I just want to speed things up for this present one,without over-clocking.

As a newbie, I haven't thought that far ahead as far as a newer CPU to replace this Q6600, or if I can swith the memory from also, but not necessarily a faster/newer Pci-E Gpu, and maybe upgrade my Q6600 CPU, (or maybe not.)

Also, I thought the 32BIT Win7 is unlimited on memory, but not to sure if motherboard can handle more than 8GB.

So given my stated computer specs, and what I want to accomplish, what would be the best case scenario for suggestions for me to upgrade? I will need to contact MSI MObo maker for specs on CPU upgrade and memory. Thank you!

 

[lxskllr]

Get Win7-64, and another 4gb of ram. Your cpu is fine for now, as is your gfx card.

 

[rivbyte]

Thanks,
Have you ever heard WinXP Home OS only utilizes half of the Intel Core2 Quad CPU capabilities? Ok, fine for now, but also recommend faster CPU down the line, or just buy a newer motherboard with matching CPU architecture?
Again, Thank you!

 

[lxskllr]

That doesn't sound right to me. I think that idea may come from XP being limited to one SOCKET. I don't believe multiple cores in one socket are a problem.

That computer is getting a little outdated. I don't know what DDR2 prices are like right now, but if it's terribly expensive, now might be a good time to build a new machine. You'll have to be the judge as far as that goes. I'd be leery of putting much money into an obsolete system, but if you can score parts cheaply second hand, it might not be a bad way to go to buy time. That cpu should be a good overclocker if you wanted to that route. A mild overclock would should be easy on stock cooling, and close to stock voltage. As always though, YMMV.

 

[VirtualLarry]

but I heard the other day that my Q6600 Core2 CPU can only utilize half the Quad power...is this true? Not good news.

It's not true. Open Task Manager, click on the Performance tab, and see if you can see four graphs moving. If there are four, and not two, then you are utilizing all of your cores just fine.

So if I'm using a 32 Bit XP Home version, and want to utilize ALL of my quad CPU and Memory power, I can upgrade to Windows 7 64 Bit? I heard one or the other Windows versions can handle more memory.

Windows XP Home or Pro can only handle 3.75GB of RAM. If you want to utilize all 4GB, or more, of RAM, then yes, you need to move to 64-bit, and Win7 HP 64-bit is just the answer.

I thought since my CPU is a 32BIT, I would have to go with a 32 BIT Windows OS??? or not really?

Pretty-much all CPUs from Intel, since the Core2 generation, all support 64-bit computing. You'll be fine with 64-bit Windows 7, assuming that you will find drivers for all of your hardware. You'll need 64-bit drivers, a 64-bit OS cannot use 32-bit drivers, like the ones for XP.

Frustrating when I'm editing video in STUDIO, the program crashes , even though I free up valuable resources, like DEGRAG, Turn off Firewall, Anti-virus software, delete all Auxiliary files and temp files, and recycle bin, Log off the internet, end task running programs, just to be able to edit video per session.

This indicates a problem. Whether it is the software itself, or your OS install/software environment, or whether you have a hardware problem, I cannot say at this point.

 

[Griffinhart]

To be specific. XP Home edition supports one SOCKET. That is, a motherboard that can support only one Processor. That Processor can be a single or have a dozen cores in it (or more). The limitation is for motherboards with multiple processor sockets on them.

Also, your processor is not just 32-bit. All "Core 2" (duo, quad) processors and beyond are 64-bit. Core Solo and Core Duo's are 32-bit. The Q6600 is most definately 64bit or I have somehow managed to run 64-bit windows and more than 4GB of RAM on a machine that shouldn't.