Question about VT-x (2500k)

Hardware Hub CPU
1

I have the i5 2500k, and I've had it for a while. I have previously attempted to install various Linux distros via VirtualBox, but I've never been able to figure it out. This was a while ago, so I don't remember the details.

Being an avid user of Ubuntu on my school laptop, I want to give Arch Linux a shot at my stationary. I recently discovered the VT-x technology, and a quote from wikipedia says
"VT-x represents Intel's technology for virtualization on the x86 platform"

Does this mean that I cannot virtualize x64 versions of operating systems? Or, given my OS is Windows 8.1 x64, I cannot virtualize unless I have the x86 version of Windows 8.1?

I also have trouble understanding the difference between VT-x and VT-d. Would be awesome if someone could clarify

2

You shouldn't have any trouble with the x64 versions of things. VT-d allows you to do hardware pass-through, but I don't think the 2500k supports it.

3

VT-d is not listed in CPU-z, unlike VT-x and apparently the "k" lineup of Intel processors do not support VT-d.

4

Correct. The only -K with VT-d is the 4790K, which is an absolute badass chip. AMD on the other hand, almost all their chips both overclock AND support AMD-V as well as a bunch of other cool stuff like ECC on most FX chips and 16GB single DIMMs. Intel's a little chintzy...