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What is the difference between x86 and x86_64
So yeah, I saw this when I was building my game and wondered what it is... What is the difference between x86 and x86_64?
Answer by tw1st3d · Oct 06, 2013 at 08:49 PM
As far as I know, x86 means that 32bit and 64bit computers can run it, and x86_64 means that 64bit computers alone can run it.
Okay, thanks! :) Is there any difference in performance or similar or else why is it there?
Well, in x86 a computer can only access two processor cores, hence why the dualcore processor came out. x64 allows the computer to access up to either 8 or 12 cores currently, which allows the computer to run at a much more heightened speed. Now, in differences between GA$$anonymous$$E builds in x86 and x64, I'm not sure on any performance differences. A senior member could probably clarify that for you.
32bit and 64bit have nothing to do with the core count. It only tells how much memory (RA$$anonymous$$) you can address (4GB for 32bit machines and a really large amount (16 Exabyte) for 64bit).
As the others have already answered, compiling for 64bit might give you an advantage in speed but limits your application to only run on 64bit Operating Systems.
$$anonymous$$y rule of thumb would be don't use it until you have to or really try to understand what x86 and x86_64 means so you can properly distribute your game to the users that can actually run it.
To find more documentation about this search for Intel x86 / x64 (Also called A$$anonymous$$D64)
Okay, thanks! That made it clearer, I just saw the options and wondered what the difference was. Thanks again!
Answer by jeryymanly · Sep 26, 2016 at 04:42 PM
Technically x86 simply refers to a family of processors and the instruction set they all use. It doesn't actually say anything specific about data sizes. The term x86 started out as a 16-bit instruction set for 16-bit processors (the 8086 and 8088 processors), then was extended to a 32-bit instruction set for 32-bit processors (80386 and 80486), and now has been extended to a 64-bit instruction set for 64-bit processors. It used to be written as 80x86 to reflect the changing value in the middle of the chip model numbers, but somewhere along the line the 80 in the front was dropped, leaving just x86. More about....x86 and x64
Jerry