32 bit XP sp3 to 64 bit Windows 8 pro

i have the xp pro (full) dvd, so that wont be a problem sometimes ( i used to blow up few mobo in the past since 2002) when i want to reinstall it though Microsoft says i've gone past the allowed activation limit but it always activates at the end. as from your previous answer i understand that:

i will install 32 bit xp on my new system activate it than i will do a clean install over it once (if) i get the windows 8 dvd. as a 64 bit system.  Correct ?

thank you for your help.

Is the processor (CPU) in your computer 64 bit capable? Find out first before considering the 64 bit version.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

When performing the upgrade process the upgrade assistant determines your existing architecture, downloads the same architecture and installs.

To change from 32bit Windows to 64bit Windows a clean install will be performed (will have to reinstall applications etc…)

You can go to a computer running a 64 bit version (Vista or Windows 7) and do the download there and create a bootable copy.

32 vs 64 bit

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

Windows 8 64 bit comes in handy when you need to address at least 4 GBs or more of RAM. Windows 8 32 bit can utilize up to 3.2 GBs of RAM. Because the memory address space is much larger for 64 bit Windows, that means, you need twice as much memory than 32 bit Windows to accomplish some of the same task, but you are able to do so much more, you can have more applications open, do things like run an Antivirus scan in the background without it affecting your system performance. Windows 8 64 bit is more secure too, malicious code cannot easily infiltrate it, drivers are more reliable since they must be signed before they can work with 64 bit Windows 8.

As for compatibility, you will need 64 bit device drivers for any hardware devices you might have. Also, there is no 16 bit subsystem in Windows 8 64 bit, which means, your applications must be 32 bit only, not 16 bit installer or uninstallers.

If you need to upgrade to the 64 bit version, you will need to do a custom over your 32 bit installed. You said you ordered the backup DVD with your order, so you will have the 64 bit disc.

You will have to do a clean installation, there is no in place upgrade path from Windows 7 32 Bit to 64 bit. Lauch the Windows Easy Transfer utility in Windows 7 and create a WET file (Windows Easy Transfer file), if you have an external hard disk, you can have it stored there so you can access it later when you do a clean install of Windows 8 64 bit disk.

http://www.notebooks.com/2009/10/07/using-windows-easy-transfer-in-windows-7/

Once you have done that, simply do a clean install of Windows 8 64 bit disk. In Windows 8 64 bit disk, launch Windows Easy Transfer, follow the on screen wizard, point to where you stored the the WET file (external hard disk), and it will restore your personal files and settings. Reinstall any necessary applications.