What is architecture?

mramgopal · 06-29-2003, 12:33 PM

I just don't understand what is i386 and i586 and i686 platforms . While I have used 386 pc's and 286's too, in the linux context I use 386 to be safe . I have a PIII intel , so what is the appropriate rpm I ought to use , or do I have to compile almost everything from source to optimize for my pc? I could not find any answers on the web or books.

thx

contrasutra · 06-29-2003, 01:40 PM

i386 = 386 computers
i486 = 486 computers
i586 = Pentium, K6
i686 = Pentium Pro and above, k6-2 and above

A computer can run something from a lower architecture, but not from a higher one.

Its debatable whether i686 is any faster than i386. So its not something to upsess about.

nakkaya · 06-29-2003, 03:50 PM

pentium pro shouldnt be 686 they came out between pentium and p2

green_dragon37 · 06-29-2003, 03:52 PM

Would anyone happen to know where an AMD K5 falls out in this?

Ian