What does x86 processor mean?

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When you are shopping for a computer or investigating one you currently own, you will come across terminology that describes aspects of its CPU (Central Processing Unit) which is the "brain" of the computer. The term "x86" describes the basic platform of this CPU.

x86 Origins

Intel released the 8086 CPU in 1978. This was a 16-bit CPU, meaning roughly that it could "see" up to 64 kilobytes memory (equal to about 32,000 words in a book).

x86 Development

Over the next several years, Intel released the 286, 386 and 486. This is where the "x86" term comes from. This platform became capable of up to 32-bit instructions, which could "see" up to 4 gigabytes of memory at once.

64 Bits and Memory Limitations

An "x86" processor is not compatible with 64-bit operating systems or 64-bit software. If your computer contains more than 4 gigabytes RAM (Random Access Memory), you may need a 64-bit CPU and operating system to use that additional RAM.

The "x86-64" label

This refers to a CPU that is fully compatible with 32-bit software and operating systems. You may also see the "AMD64" label in its place, but AMD licensed this design to Intel so its CPUs fully support this.

x86-16

Since x86 CPUs were originally 16-bit, you may see "x86-16" and "x86-32" to distinguish between different types of x86 CPUs. Intel's low power Atom CPU is one of the only modern CPUs that is not 64-bit and would be "x86-32."

Source:

8086 Overview

x86-64 Overview

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