Hi.
I am wondering about something. Why are 64-bit Linux distros called "x86-64" instead of just "x64"?
x86-64 sounds a little odd, so I prefer just x64.
Thanks.

That is more or less historical, Actually x86 is the intel platform (series of x86 processors) and 64 means 64bit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86-64

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Okay thanks
Now I know why it's called x86-64.

Also, there are other 64-bit architectures beside x86-64/AMD64.

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Intel were the instigators of the 'PC' computer, they started by using the 8088 processor, but really took off when they introduced the 8086 processor, which were 16 bit, then came more processors, 80286, then the 80386, which was 32 bit, & they were called 'x86' by the industry, so when the processor went 64 bit, they just tacked on the '64', hence 'x86_64', also commonly known as 'amd64', I believe because AMD pipped Intel to bringing a 64 bit processor to market first.

I tend to just use 32bit or 64bit when referring to them or the O/S & software.

EDIT: Seems we were all replying at the same time.

P.S. Take a look here if interested in the history of processors.
https://cpumuseum.jimdofree.com/museum/intel/80486/

I know there exists PPC64, MIPS64 (is that the correct name?), and ARM64.

Just the opposite way: the 8086 came first, as successor to the 8080/8085 8-bit processors.
But as a lot of existing hardware (support chips) still were 8-bits, to take advantage of THOSE Intel developed the 8088 which is hybrid 8/16 bits (and the 8087 floating point CO-processor, which can be added to either). As IBM chose the 8088 for their first PC, the whole PC evolution started with that cpu. The full step to 16-bit came with the PC/AT, which used the 80286 (2nd successor to the 8086).

And to the OP: the x86_64 platform started (by AMD) as a 64-bit addition/extension of/to the x86 line from Intel, which themselves had already developed the IA64 architecture (which is quite different, although microcode-compatible with the x86, which from that moment on they called IA32).

Hi,

You will find more information at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...icroprocessors for Intel microprocessors. At the end of the wiki is some historic information.

Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!
.

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And IA64 (Itanium).

Alpha too.