Dual Core - 64 bit - and Current OSs

[crabby]

Hello,
I'm in the process of planning to build a gaming PC and wanted to make sure that I understood what I was getting into.

I'm starting with the CPU and am interested in one of AMD's dual-core 64 bit processors. I've done some research, but wanted to make sure I had my ducks in a row before proceeding. Are the following statements true?

1. You can run 32-bit Windows XP with a 64-bit processor.
2. Windows XP can take advantage of a dual core processor.
3. A specific application can take advantage of a dual core processor, but only if it is threaded.
4. You can still notice a speed up in Windows XP with a dual core processor even if the game you are playing is not threaded, because Windows can take advantage of the second processor to run other applications (e.g., virus software).
5. There is a 64-bit version of Windows XP, but there is some / a lot of work with finding drivers.
6. The 64-bit version of XP will run faster than the 32-bit version on a 64-bit processor.

Thanks in advance.

[newbuilder14]

1. yes
2. yes
3. yes
4. yes
5. yes
6. good question

[jimmyrules712]

I agree with newbuilder, yes to all except the last one which is questionable. Since there isn't very much 64bit software out yet, the fact that the OS is 64bit may not have a huge effect on much.

BTw, welcome to PCMech.

[blue60007]

3) Yes, it the program has to be multi-threaded or it'll just run on one core
6) From what I've heard, 64 bit Windows isn't any faster than 32 bit, and 64 bit apps aren't really any faster either. I don't feel it's worth it, especially considering your # 5 question.

[crabby]

Thank you all for your help and your speedy replies