x86 architecture is a family of computer instruction set architectures based on the Intel 8086 microprocessor. It is widely used in personal computers and servers, providing a standard for software compatibility. The architecture supports both 32-bit and 64-bit processing, allowing for efficient handling of data and memory. The x86 architecture includes various extensions, such as SSE and AVX, which enhance performance for multimedia and scientific applications. It has evolved over the years, with contributions from companies like Intel and AMD, making it a dominant architecture in the computing industry.