i386 i586 or i686 what's the difference?

OSI-laya · 06-11-2003, 06:21 AM

Anyone know what the deal is with these i386 i586 i686 stuff???
What's the difference? Im guessing it has something to do with the type of processor you have.

I think im currently on i386 how do i change over to i686 if that is better?

Sorry if none of what im saying makes any sense im not quite sure what im going on about either. Im just quessing.

irish_rover · 06-11-2003, 06:25 AM

You are correct, it has to do with the processor. Software can be "optimized" for different processors.

acid_kewpie · 06-11-2003, 06:25 AM

kinda scary when people have never heard of a 386 processor... am i really that old at 23 that i'm part of history??

i386 = 386
i586 = pentium
i686 = pentium 2 and greater

you can mix and match them just fine, they are simply compiled at 386 for maximum support across the intel compatiable board

je_fro · 06-11-2003, 06:26 AM

i386 refers to an Intel 386 processor. Older than dirt and twice as slow.
i586 is the original Pentium.
i686 refers to your Athlons, etc. Anything after (hmm... can't remember.) <forgot> I'm guessing you probably have an i686 computer. Most people do.
Anyway, I'm guessing you're referring to your kernel? You'd have to recompile it and change the processor in the "make menuconfig" part. Or you may be thinking of gcc flags. In that case, look here:
http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-3....6-64%20Options

The above has lots of info...

irish_rover · 06-11-2003, 06:34 AM

Hey acid it could be worse. I studied BASIC on an Apple IIe in high school!

je_fro · 06-11-2003, 07:00 AM

I wrote "Hello World!" on a VIC 20! (yes, the original "Hello World... )
Now, I walk with a cane!!!
LOL !!!!

OSI-laya · 06-11-2003, 07:19 AM

Thanks for the info guys.

I have heard of i386 and so on, i'm not that young myself actually and do remember the days playing shipwreck on the old apple II's. (Scaaary)

The reason i asked was because i wasn't sure how it all related to linux and the compaltibility between packages but ive got a better idea now.

Thanks guys

Regards - OSI-laya