Install with 686 iso on AMD?

linda · 07-23-2006, 08:07 AM

I just built a new computer, and switched over to an AMD chip instead of using Intel after all of these year.

My question is this: I have downloads of several distributions of Linux that I would like to install on my computer, but they were the 686 architecture. Will they still work?

JimBass · 07-23-2006, 08:46 AM

Yes, they will work fine, 686 is acceptable to install on an AMD system, it won't give you any problems.

If however, you have a 64-bit AMD processor, and you put a 686 architecture on it, it will work just fine, but it won't use the 64 bit addressing the processor is capable of. What that means is you won't get the super high speed out of the 64-bit chip. If it is 64-bit, you'll probably want to get the amd64 installer. Almost all of the major distros have a port to the AMD64 bit architecture.

Peace,
JimBass

rickh · 07-23-2006, 08:57 AM

Actually, you may or may not want to install the 64-bit port. While the 64-bit Debian port is my distro of choice, it requires a lot more tweaking than the 32-bit version. I imagine that within a year or so, the 64-bit OSes will come into their own as far as usability is concerned; but, for the time being, I recommend to my newbie friends that they should buy 64-bit hardware, and install 32-bit OSes.

Since you are somewhat experienced already, partition your disk to allow both versions of your favorite distro, and check it out.

royeo · 07-23-2006, 09:54 AM

You didn't say if your CPU is 64 or 32 bit. I had the exact same question, so I checked it out. 686 is the architecture for 64 bit CPUs, and that especially includes AMD 64 bit CPUs.

royeo

rickh · 07-23-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

686 is the architecture for 64 bit CPUs,

That's not exactly right. i686 programs are 32-bit. It may be the recommended format for 32-bit apps on a 64-bit machine, but it's not inherently a 64-bit architecture.

linda · 07-23-2006, 06:23 PM

My CPU is 64 X2 4200. I think I'm going to do what rickh suggested, and try both, since I already have the cd's for the 32-bit. Thanks for the suggestion!

Electro · 07-23-2006, 06:26 PM

64-bit programs only works best in games, image editing, video editing, sound editing, multimedia playback. Other 64-bit programs provides no performance except what I previously listed. In some cases 64-bit programs perform worst than 32-bit programes. Though an 64-bit OS provides 4 GB or more memory with out any needed workarounds instead 32-bit OS which needs PAE to handle 4 GB or more memory. I suggest waiting until 2010 for 64-bit computing to become a lot better than it is now.

JimBass · 07-23-2006, 09:49 PM

I have the exact same processor! Excellent power in it. I suggest you install the multiprocessor version of the kernel, as it allows the X2 processors to show up as 2 processors instead of 1.

Code:

jim@JimsBeastie:~$ cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor       : 0
vendor_id       : AuthenticAMD
cpu family      : 15
model           : 43
model name      : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
stepping        : 1
cpu MHz         : 2200.205
cache size      : 512 KB
physical id     : 0
siblings        : 2
core id         : 0
cpu cores       : 2
fpu             : yes
fpu_exception   : yes
cpuid level     : 1
wp              : yes
flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 ht syscall nx mmxext fxsr_opt lm 3dnowext 3dnow pni lahf_lm cmp_legacy
bogomips        : 4402.72
TLB size        : 1024 4K pages
clflush size    : 64
cache_alignment : 64
address sizes   : 40 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management: ts fid vid ttp

processor       : 1
vendor_id       : AuthenticAMD
cpu family      : 15
model           : 43
model name      : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
stepping        : 1
cpu MHz         : 2200.205
cache size      : 512 KB
physical id     : 0
siblings        : 2
core id         : 1
cpu cores       : 2
fpu             : yes
fpu_exception   : yes
cpuid level     : 1
wp              : yes
flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 ht syscall nx mmxext fxsr_opt lm 3dnowext 3dnow pni lahf_lm cmp_legacy
bogomips        : 4400.61
TLB size        : 1024 4K pages
clflush size    : 64
cache_alignment : 64
address sizes   : 40 bits physical, 48 bits virtual
power management: ts fid vid ttp

Your installer will likely autodetect the need for the multiprocessor kernel, but my Debian install didn't. I had to add the smp kernel myself. Slack may or may not, I don't know.

Peace,
Jim

IsaacKuo · 07-23-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by royeo

You didn't say if your CPU is 64 or 32 bit. I had the exact same question, so I checked it out. 686 is the architecture for 64 bit CPUs

686 is 32bit, as rickh said. In particular, it's for Pentium II and later processors (including all Celerons). I think Pentium Pro may also work with 686.