What do IA-32, Intel(R) 64 and IA-64 Architecture mean?

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May 5, 2009 12:00 AM PDT


Intel® compilers and libraries support three platforms: general combinations of processor architecture and operating system type. This section explains the terms that Intel uses to describe the platforms in its documentation, installation procedures and support site.

IA-32 Architecture refers to systems based on 32-bit processors generally compatible with the Intel Pentium® II processor, (for example, Intel® Pentium® 4 processor or Intel® Xeon® processor), or processors from other manufacturers supporting the same instruction set, running a 32-bit operating system.

Intel® 64 Architecture refers to systems based on IA-32 architecture processors which have 64-bit architectural extensions, for example, Intel® CoreTM2 processor family), running a 64-bit operating system such as Microsoft Windows XP* Professional x64 Edition or Microsoft Windows Vista* x64. If the system is running a 32-bit version of the Windows operating system, then IA-32 architecture applies instead. Systems based on AMD* processors running a 64-bit version of Windows are also supported by Intel compilers for Intel® 64 architecture applications.

IA-64 Architecture refers to systems based on the Intel® Itanium® processor running a 64-bit operating system.

 



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This article applies to: Intel® C++ Compiler for Linux* Knowledge Base,   Intel® C++ Compiler for Mac OS X* Knowledge Base,   Intel® C++ Compiler for Windows* Knowledge Base,   Intel® Fortran Compiler for Linux* Knowledge Base,   Intel® Fortran Compiler for Mac OS X* Knowledge Base,   Intel® Integrated Performance Primitives Knowledge Base,   Intel® Math Kernel Library Knowledge Base,   Intel® Visual Fortran Compiler for Windows* Knowledge Base