Desktop Intel Pentium 4 ?Prescott? Processors Can Enable 64-bit ? Rumour

BIOS Update Can Enable 64-bit Capability on Prescott Chips, Says Web-Site

“A Taiwan based web-site reported a rumour claiming there is a possibility to enable 64-bit capability on Intel?s latest Pentium 4 microprocessors in LGA775 form-factor using a mainboard BIOS update. While the information may be correct, it is currently highly-unlikely that such operation will becomes popular.

?Lately there have been some rumours about some special BIOS that can ?turn on? the 64-bit [capability] on the [Intel Pentium 4] ?Prescott? processors. I have made some enquiries and it seems that there are works in progress [that] are still in ?alpha? stage,? a claim over the web-site OC WorkBench states.

Intel?s Extended Memory 64 Technology also known as 64-bit Extension Technology or IA32e lets Intel?s 90nm microprocessors for desktops, workstations, 2-way and 4/8-way servers to execute specially-written 64-bit code while maintaining absolute compatibility with today?s 32-bit applications.

Previously it was believed that all Intel Pentium 4 processors ?Prescott? in LGA775 packaging would sport EM64T, but Intel denied such claim. Intel said it would ship Prescott processors with 64-bit capability for 1P applications only to system integrators requesting such microprocessors for their servers and workstations. Although all Prescott CPUs, including Intel Pentium 4 and Celeron D, are 64-bit from micro-architectural standpoint, processors supplying for retail channels as well as for typical desktops have their 64-bit capability disabled. “