hello!

i just obtained a used intel pentium 4 processor from a friend. it is 3.0ghz, 800mhz fsb. i am almost certain it is of the "hyper-threading" type. i plan to replace my celeron 2.4, 400, with this processor.

my questions are:
1) are the "hyper-threading" ones also the "em64t" type? and if so, will this do nicely with a 64-bit version of linux, say, suse 10.1 or fedora 5?
2) does the "em64t" mean it is native a 64-bit processor, or that it merely supports it?
3) which would be the better choice: to run 32-bit linux or 64-bit linux on this processor (assuming it supports it)?
4) if i run 64-bit linux, how would compatability be with 32-bit programs, (mainly concerning pre-built binaries like in rpms, or *.run installers? what about drivers? (nvidia)?

i know this is a lot of questions. this is not too urgent though, i assume i could always just run the 32-bit os's and get good performance anyway, i'm just asking cause i've never installed/used 64-bit software before.

here is intel's page concerning em64t: http://www.intel.com/technology/64bi...ions/index.htm but it doesnt answer all of my questions.

thank you for your time.

The processor you're likely does not support EMT64. Some late model Pentium 4s did support EMT64 - though I can't find a 3.00 GHz model that does so

http://www.intel.com/products/proces...able062705.pdf

As you state it's used, I doubt that it does.

Neither EMT64T (nor AMD64) are truly 64-bit platforms. They are however extensions to an existing 32-bit platform to add benefits of 64-bit computing. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EM64T ). As far as your "native" or "supports" question - they aren't mutually exclusive. An EMT64T processor can be used with mainstream 64 bit operating systems denoted as EMT64T or AMD64 compatible.

In order to support 64-bit functionality the motherboard must be able to support EMT64T.

As far as using 64-bit vs. 32-bit flavors, someone else will need to chime in. I would imagine you'd have at least a few headaches trying to get everything to work on a 64-bit flavor. I've never tried it. I'd recommend (provided you verify functionality of the process) installing a 64-bit OS and make sure you get all devices to work, as a weekend project. If it doesn't work to your liking, you can always revert to the 32-bit flavor.

i probably should have mentioned that this is a socket 478 processor, made in 2002. so that probably guarentee's that it is not em64t. but, thank you for your response! i will install the processor this weekend, and install 32-bit suse 10.1

thank you again!