[SOLVED] Why are there no smp kernels on 64 bit slack? Can someone explain?

igadoter · 09-01-2010, 03:50 PM

The questions I wanted to ask is in the subject. I want to know this. Does it mean that a 64 bit version is not multi-core?

MensaWater · 09-01-2010, 03:52 PM

In the 2.6 kernel you no longer need separate single core and multicore kernels. The one kernel should recognize all the CPUs you have.

dugan · 09-01-2010, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igadoter

Does it mean that a 64 bit version is not multi-core?

It means the opposite. Slackware64 only includes an SMP-enabled kernel. It does not include a non SMP-enabled kernel.

igadoter · 09-01-2010, 04:08 PM

@MensaWater
I am sure you right. Slackware 32 bit comes with kernels of two flavours - smp an non-smp. So there are 4 default kernels huge, huge-smp, generic, generic-smp. For 64 bit version there are only huge and generic kernels. That is why I asked my question.

T3slider · 09-01-2010, 04:17 PM

The output of `uname -a` will gladly inform you that both kernels shipped with Slackware64 are indeed SMP-enabled.

Richard Cranium · 09-01-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igadoter

@MensaWater
I am sure you right. Slackware 32 bit comes with kernels of two flavours - smp an non-smp. So there are 4 default kernels huge, huge-smp, generic, generic-smp. For 64 bit version there are only huge and generic kernels. That is why I asked my question.

Are there any 64-bit CPUs on modern machines that have only one core?

dugan · 09-01-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Cranium

Are there any 64-bit CPUs on modern machines that have only one core?

Modern machines no. Supported machines yes.

Single-core Athlon 64s.

dTd · 09-01-2010, 05:39 PM

I'm running an Athlon/64 single core right now

igadoter · 09-01-2010, 06:11 PM

@RichardCranium
You see I also was sure for that my Pentium IV (from I think 2003) is pure 32. So I was greatly surprised when it appeared that I was wrong. There are one core Intel Pentium IV processors which have 64 bit extensiona. And mine is one of them. I may say that 64 bit system gave to my computer a new soul. Of course it is not twice faster than with 32 bit but it is enough faster to give much more pleasure watching compressed DVDrips - MPlayer plays smoothly as never before.

MQMan · 09-02-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igadoter

@RichardCranium
I may say that 64 bit system gave to my computer a new soul. Of course it is not twice faster than with 32 bit

32-bit/64-bit has nothing to do with the speed of the CPU. It's about how it addresses the memory.

Cheers.

igadoter · 09-02-2010, 12:28 PM

@MQMan
I said only that some apps seems to run faster on the 64 bit system.

AlvaroG · 09-03-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igadoter

@MQMan
I said only that some apps seems to run faster on the 64 bit system.

Regarding that, I have read many times that 64bit stuff is faster, and also have read that there is no difference except on very specific use cases.
My system is fully 64bit, and I do notice is faster than when it was 32bit.
I have wondered for some time about how much of the speed improvement is due to the 64/32bit thing, and how much is due to the optimization flags used. I mean, in 32bit Slackware is still compiled for i486, but I guess better and more specific flags can be used when compiling for x86_64.

Just a random thought, nevermind :-)