X32, X64, X86 question

Discussion in 'Software' started by JimLL, Apr 21, 2011.

  1. JimLL

    JimLL I can't follow the rules

    XP Pro, SP3, current updates, T60p dual processor 2.1ghz.

    I thought I had a pretty good idea what it meant when I saw that certain software was for x32 or x64. I've seen stuff shown as both (x32/x64). But I just now ran across something shown as x86/x64. X86 looks familiar for obvious reasons, but I don't really understand it in this context. I'm tempted to think it is another way of saying x32, but...

    Anybody know what's going on here?
     
    JimLL, Apr 21, 2011
    #1
  2. sach2

    sach2 Major Geek Extraordinaire

    It is the same. I don't think you often run across x32. It is usually 32bit or x86 which mean the same thing. I don't know why it is 64bit or x64 (using the same number for these two and not like that for 32 bit).

    Maybe, we'll learn something new today. :)
     
    sach2, Apr 21, 2011
    #2
  3. Caliban

    Caliban I don't need no steenkin' title!

    Hi.

    They're all 'x86'. In fact, unless you're running an Itanium or some other rare processor type, virtually every computer is using some 8086 instruction set, whether it's 8-16-32-or 64-bit.

    Confusing? Yes. Should you worry about it? Nope. ;)
     
    Caliban, Apr 21, 2011
    #3
  4. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Yeah always confusing when the terms are mixed and I'm guilty of doing it alot in using x86 or 32bit or x32 etc

    X86-64
    X86

    confusing as the main way to type 32bit or 64bit is like this x86-32 and x86-64, as Caliban mentions its the instruction set thats carried the naming convention over in X86 and the 32bit or 64bit parts are the compatible software or Operating System types that are compatible.

    Gets a bit more weird with IA-32 and IA-64 being also mentioned at times in tech blurb, this more denotes the Intel Itanium chips.


    In a nutshell its in say x86-64 or x64 is used for the type of instruction set the CPU and hardware could use on the motherboard, then the 64bit is the reference memory and integer values to the data bus width, so in 64bit computing the data is twice the width or throughput of the 32bit bus.

    the 32bit and 64bit references on software is just a compatability note that this software will work on that hardware architecture, when shows like you mention in x32/x64 then the software is compatible with both hardware architectures.

    Not the best explanation I have given but hope it helps.
     
    DavidGP, Apr 21, 2011
    #4

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