Which python to install if I have an Intel Core i7 and 64-Bit Windows 7?

Question

I have to install Python 2.5.4 from http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.5.4/ which is required for the pcraster program.

However there are three python choices
For x86 processors: python-2.5.4.msi
For Win64-Itanium users: python-2.5.4.ia64.msi
For Win64-AMD64 users: python-2.5.4.amd64.msi

I know I have Win64 but I am not sure if my i7 processor is Itanium or AMD? Can someone knowledgeable please help me?

Answer 1

Both the 32- and 64-bit (AMD) versions will work on a 64-bit Win7 system. Which you want to install depends on the 3rd-party libraries you wish to use. Many libraries only support the 32-bit version.

Answer 2

Install the Win64-AMD64 version. Since AMD won the race to implement the 64 bit architecture before Intel, the architecture is still commonly known as AMD64.

Irony!

Intel licensed x86 architecture to AMD. Years later. AMD licensed AMD64 (based on the x86 architecture) to Intel!

Read more about it from Wikipedia: x86-64.

Answer 3

It really depends if your Windows is 64-bits or not. If it is, you should install Win64-AMD64, if not (32-bits) then x86.

Cheers.