Macbook Architecture discrepancy

cjm2176 · Oct 26, 2011, 03:02 PM

Hello all,

I am using a macbook 5 with an intel core 2 duo processor, which, as I understand it, is meant to have the x86_64 architecture.

however the terminal commands

/usr/bin/arch

and

uname -p

both give the result

i386

Is there any explanation for this discrepancy?

robbieduncan · Oct 26, 2011, 03:03 PM

Are you running the 32 or 64 bit kernel?

cjm2176 · Oct 27, 2011, 07:15 AM

I am guessing 32, under system profiler -> software I have:

64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No

robbieduncan · Oct 27, 2011, 07:24 AM

Then I would suggest that is your answer: these utilities are giving you the architecture of the kernel.

cjm2176 · Oct 27, 2011, 07:49 AM

I see, so would that mean processes that are 32 bit fall under i386 and 64 bit processes fall under x86_64?

robbieduncan · Oct 27, 2011, 08:08 AM

Yes, I would say that is a fair way to look at it. You could always try rebooting to the 64 bit kernel to confirm (reboot holding down 6 and 4 keys)

cjm2176 · Oct 27, 2011, 10:58 AM

Ok thanks for the help this is more clear now

Oct 26, 2011, 03:02 PM	#1
cjm2176 macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2011	Macbook Architecture discrepancy Hello all, I am using a macbook 5 with an intel core 2 duo processor, which, as I understand it, is meant to have the x86_64 architecture. however the terminal commands /usr/bin/arch and uname -p both give the result i386 Is there any explanation for this discrepancy?
	0

Oct 26, 2011, 03:03 PM	#2
robbieduncan Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London	Are you running the 32 or 64 bit kernel? __________________ Sponsor me to cycle 100Km round London in the dark
	0

Oct 27, 2011, 07:24 AM	#4
robbieduncan Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London	Then I would suggest that is your answer: these utilities are giving you the architecture of the kernel. __________________ Sponsor me to cycle 100Km round London in the dark
	0

Oct 27, 2011, 08:08 AM	#6
robbieduncan Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London	Yes, I would say that is a fair way to look at it. You could always try rebooting to the 64 bit kernel to confirm (reboot holding down 6 and 4 keys) __________________ Sponsor me to cycle 100Km round London in the dark
	0

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Oct 27, 2011, 07:15 AM	#3
cjm2176 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2011	I am guessing 32, under system profiler -> software I have: 64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No
	0

Oct 27, 2011, 07:49 AM	#5
cjm2176 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2011	I see, so would that mean processes that are 32 bit fall under i386 and 64 bit processes fall under x86_64?
	0

Oct 27, 2011, 10:58 AM	#7
cjm2176 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2011	Ok thanks for the help this is more clear now
	0

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