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"x86" is just an abbreviation for the Intel 80x86 family of processors, where the "x" refers to the model number (e.g. 80286, 80386, etc.), but it expands to include pretty much any processor of the Intel architecture that most PCs use these days.
x86_64 refers to the 64-bit extended version of this CPU architecture.
You can check out Wikipedia for more info if you want.
x86 refers to 32 bit. Not all 64 bit machines are x86_64, but if you are talking about an AMD athlon of some sort or maybe an Intel core2 or i7 then yes it x86_64. Intel has a seperate and distinct 64 bit architecture called IA64 which would include the Itanium line.
The simple answer is: If you bought a 64 bit computer and don't know what architecture it is, then it is x86_64. The kinds of 64 bit computers sold to ordinary computer users are all x86_64.
There are other 64 bit architectures, such as IA64 (Itanium). But they are specialty items, so it would be very hard to buy one without knowing what you were buying.
A 32 bit build of Linux that isn't x86 would be equally obscure. It certainly exists, but you wouldn't find it by accident when looking for 32 bit Linux.
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