a few questions about kernels
 

i have just installed slack 9 with the bare kernel. i have been reading that if i get and compile a new kernel my system will be much faster and more stable (slack is awsomely stable though). so my questions are...
1) which and where do i download a kernel?
2) does my processor have anything to do with what version of kernel i should get? i have an amd athlon xp 1900+
3) i've looked on tldp.org and dont understand the kernel howto. are there any better kernel how to's? better yet, one that focuses on slack 9?
4) why am i still awake? ive been trying to figure out this kernel stuff for 3 days now.....

any help is GREATLY appreciated....

1. www.kernel.org
2. no
3. read the slack kernel howto in the slack forum we have here that aussie has provided.. should be the top thread in the forum
4. go to sleep...