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What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit and which should I choose?
Difference between the i386 download and the amd64?

I was told that computers with more than 2 gig's memory need a 64 bit operating system to utilize all RAM.

Is the 64bit Ubuntu download really JUST for AMD processors? I am asking because the disk image I downloaded says AMD64.

So will my new Intel 2.3Ghz Core i3 Dual Core processor work with 64 bit Ubuntu?

It runs the 64bit version of Windows without any qualm.

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There should be a FAQ entry for this issue. – david6 Oct 6 '12 at 5:22

marked as duplicate by Eliah Kagan, Mitch, devav2, jokerdino♦, Takkat Oct 6 '12 at 10:43

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

1 Answer

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There is a slight misunderstanding here. AMD64 refers to the architecture of the processor. As AMD's X86-64 extension prevailed in the "64-Bit format war", it is named after them; just like people used to call all PCs IBM-PC-compatible.

The gist of the matter is: You can install AMD64 software on both AMD and Intel processors, as long as they support that type of architecture (Don't worry, almost all processors released in the last 5 years do). So just go ahead and install Ubuntu using the 64 bit iso.

Edited for historical accuracy.

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Thank you very much – Klanestro Oct 6 '12 at 5:05
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You're welcome. I was confused with the terminology at first as well. Please don't forget to mark the question as resolved if my answer solved your problem. – Glutanimate Oct 6 '12 at 5:07
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Minor Correction. Both AMD and Intel proposed (and developed) 64-bit variants of the previous Intel '386' architecture. AMD was not first, but instead the winning (or preferred) architecture. The AMD design was more backward compatible, better allowing for mixed 32- and 64-bit applications in a single OS. – david6 Oct 6 '12 at 5:21
@david6 TIL, thank you. Edited my answer. – Glutanimate Oct 6 '12 at 5:29

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