How can I tell which architecture I have?

neu2linux · 05-28-2007, 04:23 PM

I guess what my question is: Is there a simple pII = 386, pIII = 486...etc?<--(I know that those are probably not correct, please don't use them as a technical reference) Anyway, the reason I ask, is that I have some old machines that I would like to bring back to life, and would like to know what I am looking at in the "minimum requirements" sections. I tried googled for this info, but couldn't find anything usefull. Thanks.

moxieman99 · 05-28-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neu2linux

I guess what my question is: Is there a simple pII = x86, pIII = x86...etc? The reason I ask, is that I have some old machines that I would like to bring back to life. I tried googled fo rthis info, but couldn't find anything usefull. Thanks.

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You say that they are "old" machines. If they ran windows and are "old" machines, then dollars to doughnuts they are x86 machines.

neu2linux · 05-28-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moxieman99

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You say that they are "old" machines. If they ran windows and are "old" machines, then dollars to doughnuts they are x86 machines.

Thanks for the quick response, but what I am wanting to know, is: If it says that it 486 is minimum, can I run it on a P1, PII, PIII???

phil.d.g · 05-28-2007, 04:33 PM

Trying very hard to recall from memory, but I think the pentium was an i586, the pentium pro, pII, pIII, pIV were i686's.

286's, 386's and 486's were before Pentium's time

IBall · 05-28-2007, 04:35 PM

Most chips made by Intel at i386. Using i386 is generally a safe bet for most common desktop PCs.

I hope this helps
--Ian

<EDIT>Damn! Beaten again

</EDIT>

neu2linux · 05-28-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil.d.g

Trying very hard to recall from memory, but I think the pentium was an i586, the pentium pro, pII, pIII, pIV were i686's.

286's, 386's and 486's were before Pentium's time

I think that you are correct, as I had found a site saying "Originally Intel was going to call the Pentium the 80586", but wanted something trademarkable and went with Pentium.

Thank you all.