x86-64, also called AMD64 or x64, is a 64-bit processor architecture used by most modern PCs and by the PlayStation 5 platform. It defines how the CPU handles instructions, memory addresses, registers, and calling conventions. Compared with older 32-bit designs, x86-64 can address much more memory and often supports more efficient execution of large programs and virtualization workloads.
In cyber security, x86-64 matters because exploit code, shellcode, and reverse-engineering techniques are often architecture-specific. An attacker targeting a 64-bit system must match the right instruction set, ABI, and memory protections such as DEP, ASLR, and stack canaries. Defenders also rely on x86-64 features for sandboxing, hypervisors, and secure boot chains. In the PS5 context, x86-64 is important because the hardware is closer to a PC than older consoles, which affects what can be executed natively and what still needs emulation or translation layers.