Which Kernel Do I Use?
 

I am setting up a new AMD system and wanted to know which generic kernel I should use? Right now I have no problem with any of them that I can tell so far but I am sure one has to be optimized for my hardware.

Here are my options:

I am using an AMD64 3800+ (single core) CPU and I am running a 32bit version of Etch.

Thanks!

The core of an AMD64 proc is known as the K8 core. See if you can find a 2.6.17.2.k8 kernel for Debian. However, be aware that the 2.6.17 kernelrevisions prior to .4 are having security issues. I suggest to install the latest kernel (2.6.19) from scratch or build as .deb package.
Source install
the Debian way

So which do you recommend? Source or Debian Insall? I am not looking for shortcuts but I have never done anything like this so would like to try the simpler or easier way to do this.

It doesn't really matter which option you choose. Both are done on the commandline, it really is a matter of personal preference if you want to stick to the Debian way of installing, maintaining and removing packages or not. Keep in mind that both descriptions are a bit older and that the default behavior of some of the tools used has/could have changed (I know the mkinitrd command has)

I would use either Linux-image-2.6-686 for a 32 Bit kernel which should run just fine on that CPU,

or if you want to run the 64 bit port you need to download the installer for it.. http://www.debian.org/ports/amd64/
When you run the 64 Bit port it's a lot more than just the kernel that's different.. you may have issues locating some drivers and applications for the 64 bit version.. not sure if all that's been resolved yet or not...

The one advantage of compiling your own kernel is that you can trim out everything you don't need. This results in a smaller, faster kernel. Caveat, it may take two or three times before you get it right.