Which architecture should I chose?

JMJ_coder · 02-20-2007, 07:24 AM

Hello,

I recently bought a new HP desktop computer. I decided that I am going to partition the hard drive to dual boot with Linux. The processor that came with it is an AMD Athalon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+ 2.40 Ghz. My question is this - which architecture do I chose when I download the iso's? I have always gone with the i386 architectures with my other computers, but does this one require the x86_64 architecture?

cad · 02-20-2007, 07:28 AM

This actually doesnt require a x86-64 architechture.
You can still use an iso with i386 but then you will not get the benefit of 64 bit processing.
To get that benefit you will have to install x86-64 iso.
Hope that helps

JMJ_coder · 02-20-2007, 07:34 AM

Hello,

It does take away the fear of accidentily chosing the wrong iso. But, what are the benefits of 64-bit processing vs. 32-bit processing. The x86_64 iso's seem to be a couple hundred megabytes larger than the i386 (Fedora i386 = 3.3 GB; Fedora x86_64 = 3.9 GB) Why should I opt for one over the other.

mcmillan · 02-23-2007, 09:57 PM

Using 64bit takes full advantage of your proecessor, so some things will run a bit faster. The downside is some things are only available for 32bit. It's possible to work around this to get even those things running on 64bit, but it will take more effort. Personally I didn't notice much a difference when I was running 64bit, and didn't feel like it's worth the extra effort just to get flash working on my computer so I'm running 32bit right now.