Hi Paul,

All the Core 2 Duo chips are compatible with 64-bit OSes.

(See, 
http://ark.intel.com/products/27249/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E6400-(2M-Cache-2_13-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB , 
for your CPU, specifically.)

I don't see any other hardware that you mention that shouldn't have 64-bit 
drivers available, but this is what you would want to look for.  Older 
software will be "try it and see" when it comes to 64-bit OSes.  I think the 
main "gotcha" was that some of these might have used installers that won't 
run under 64-bit OSes.

Keep in mind that the main advantage of running a 64-bit OS is that it 
allows the use of more than 4 GB of memory; so, unless you are also planning 
to upgrade to more memory, you may not really gain anything by installing 
the 64-bit version instead of the 32-bit version.  Of course, memory 
continues to be relatively inexpensive these days.

Finally, maybe someone else can address whether there will be an issue 
trying to use an upgrade version when you have 32-bit older versions 
installed and want to upgrade to the newer and 64-bit version.  I know that 
you can't do a straight upgrade in this situation, but I can't recall 
whether you can still do some sort of work around that lets you essentially 
do a clean install of the 64-bit OS, after the installer sees the older 
32-bit OS.  I'm vaguely recalling, when I looked into this at one time, that 
it didn't seem to be possible, but I didn't try it so I can't really say for 
sure.  If your upgrade version comes with both the 32-bit and the 64-bit 
versions, I guess you might just have to see what the MS installer will let 
you do.

I'm still running WinXP Pro 32-bit as my main OS (though I do have Win Vista 
Business (32-bit) on another system, which gets little use); so, like you, 
it will be my next OS upgrade that includes a 64-bit OS.

Good luck,

John


------ Original Message Below ------

Date:    Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:36:14 +0000
From:    "Paul%20A.%20Shippert" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Core2 Duo 2.13 - Is it 64-bit capable

Greetings-- 



Through my work, I can get an excellent deal on Windows 7 Ultimate (32 or 64 
bit) Upgrade. I have Windows Vista Business (along with XP Pro in a dual 
boot arrangement) installed, so I should be able to use the Upgrade 
installation media for Windows 7 Ultimate, even with a total elimination of 
partitions and a hard disk format (as I still have my Vista Business install 
DVD). My question is, will my current processor, a Core2 Duo 2.13 GHz P6400 
chip, work with a 64 bit OS? Of course, the motherboard and RAM may also 
come into play--mine is an ASUS P5-B Deluxe with 2 GB of DDR2 PC-6400 RAM. 
Otherwise, the hardware is fairly current, having SATA (not the new 6 MB), 
eSATA out, FireWire, etc. I know some of my software may not work in native 
64 bit, however; at least Windows 7 Ultimate (and Pro) will allow me to run 
software in XP mode, so I hope to get a bit more mileage out of it. I just 
need to know (if any of you hardware-oriented guys/ladies can tell me) if my 
board, processor, and RAM will permit the installation of, and run with, a 
64 bit OS. Searching the MS and Intel sites was less than helpful, in this 
respect (color me surprised<G>), so I'm hoping some of you experienced 
individuals can help me with this decision.



Thanks for any help any of you fine folks can provide.

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