I am using C2D processor which supports EM64T instructions. Is that all what is required for running 64 bit OS and applications?
Or what actually is required for running x64?
I am using C2D processor which supports EM64T instructions. Is that all what is required for running 64 bit OS and applications?
Or what actually is required for running x64?
Primarily all you need is a processor that claims AMD64 or EM64T compatability in order to run a 64-bit OS. There are a number of newer functions available on newer 64 bit processors like AMD-V or similar for virtualisation (running another OS within your current OS) but they are not needed to run a 64-bit OS.
I am running Windows 7 64-bit on an early generation AMD X2 64-bit processor and it works fine, you should have no problem with a C2D.
64-bit simply allows a much larger address space so that the computer can use more RAM effectively. Ignoring the fact that a 32-bit computer could in theory see more than 4GB of RAM it will not be as effective as using it as a full 64-bit OS.
Yes, any CPU that supports Intel EM64T or AMD64 (such as your Core 2 Duo) is capable of running 64-bit Windows, Linux, and other "x64" 64-bit operating systems. EM64T and AMD64 are specific implementations of the x86-64 instruction set originally specified by AMD as a 64-bit extension to the x86 instruction set. This expanded instruction set includes additional 64-bit registers and uses a 64-bit memory address space. The term x86-64 has since been shortened to x64 for simplicity.
There are also other competing 64-bit architectures, such as Sun's SPARC platform and Intel's Itanium platform, but these are incompatible with EM64T/AMD64, and have only been used for server- or workstation-grade computers, rather than consumer-targeted PCs.
Yes,a 64-bit processor is what's required for running an 64-bit OS,the other requirements differ according to the OS itself
If you want to use a 64-bit Windows OS, run the Windows 7 Upgrade advisor; it will tell you whether your computer meets the requirements for 64-bit or not.
As for your new question:
In short: 64-bit processor got registers to store and operate on 64bit data and addresses.