x64 is the Intel and AMD 64-bit processor architecture, while ARM64 is the power-efficient architecture used in Apple Silicon and many phones.
x64
The 64-bit version of the x86 instruction set. Used in Intel and AMD processors for PCs.
ARM64
A 64-bit design from Arm. Used in phones, Apple Silicon (M-series) and some Windows laptops. It is power efficient.
Compatibility
Apps built for x64 need emulation on ARM64 (Windows on ARM, Rosetta 2 on Mac).
Performance
ARM64 chips usually give better battery life.
Choose
x64 for wide software compatibility. ARM64 for efficiency.
Architecture facts
x64 (also called AMD64 or x86-64) is the 64-bit extension of the x86 instruction set used by Intel and AMD processors in most Windows PCs. ARM64 (AArch64) is the 64-bit Arm architecture used in smartphones, Apple Silicon Macs (M1 launched in November 2020) and Windows on Arm laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips.
- ARM chips use a reduced instruction set (RISC) design, generally with high energy efficiency, which gives longer battery life.
- x64 has a very large software base, and gaming and some professional apps run natively.
- Apple’s Rosetta 2 and Windows’ Prism emulation run x64 apps on ARM with some performance cost.
Choosing
Pick ARM64 for battery life, quiet operation and mobile use, and x64 for maximum app compatibility, high-end gaming and software with drivers that require x64. Check that critical apps and peripherals have ARM64 versions. Developers can compile for both. In Windows, Settings, System, About shows the architecture.
Architecture facts
x64 (x86-64) is the architecture of most Intel and AMD processors, while ARM64 (AArch64) is used in Apple Silicon and smartphones with a focus on power efficiency. Software compiled for one needs emulation or recompilation for the other.
Choosing
ARM laptops offer long battery life, and Windows on ARM can run x64 apps via emulation with some performance loss. Check app compatibility.
Architecture basics
x64 (also called x86-64 or AMD64) is a 64 bit instruction set used by Intel and AMD processors. ARM64 (AArch64) is a 64 bit architecture designed by Arm Holdings and licensed to chip makers such as Apple, Qualcomm and Samsung. x64 is a CISC design and ARM64 is RISC, which tends to use less power per instruction.
Practical differences
Apple M series, many phones and Windows on Arm laptops use ARM64, which gives long battery life. Software must be compiled for the architecture, though translation layers such as Apple Rosetta 2 and Windows x64 emulation run x64 apps on ARM64. Performance varies by workload. Servers use Graviton processors in AWS on ARM64, which can cost less. When downloading software, choose the build matching your CPU, as ARM64 builds will not run on x64 natively.
Based on data from Arm Holdings and Microsoft Learn
