How to check (on Windows) if CPU is 64-bit compatible?

I'm converting old Windows desktop machines from 2005-2009 into cheap Ubuntu Linux servers. I want to know which ones can handle a 64-bit OS and which can't. I read that some x86 CPUs are 64-bit compatible. The question is how to check.

Bill Paetzke

Posted 2010-05-21T22:53:56.310

Reputation: 645

Unless you need to handle more than 4gb of ram, 32 bit is prolly a better choice IMO, even with 64 bit capable systems. – Journeyman Geek – 2010-05-22T00:00:53.467

@The Journeyman geek -- I went 64-bit because of this quote from Ubuntu: "Unless you have specific reasons to choose 32-bit, we recommend 64-bit."

– Bill Paetzke – 2010-05-22T00:32:42.253

Answers

The definitive method:

Download CPUZ
Install and run it
Check the "Instructions" value for EM64T (if Intel) or AMD64 (if AMD).

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Bill Paetzke

Posted 2010-05-21T22:53:56.310

Reputation: 645

SecurAble

Run this utility and check the field "Maximum Bit Length"; it will show either 32 or 64. This utility is mainly used for checking if your CPU supports hardware virtualization, but it can be used for this purpose as well.

Om Nom Nom

Posted 2010-05-21T22:53:56.310

Reputation: 1 285