Been using ubuntu now for 4 weeks or so. Started to learn a bit about linux and noticed there are tens of distros out there.

Having a 64bit P4 3.2GHZ CPU I wondered why ubuntu is for i386. This seems a long way off my system capabilities. I hear "gentoo" could take advantage but requires lots of hacking. I like ubuntu and have been using it "out of the box". Quite easy transition from windowze.

Question:

What likely percentage benefit in performance could I expect if I moved to a 64bit distro and which one could I go to or, is there something I can do with ubuntu to take advantage, if it doesn't already.

Thanks.

I believe that most modern Linux distributions are compiled with the i686 architecture.
With binary packages ... the coder must make the decision to what machine architecture to choose when building the binary.

Gentoo (and other source based distros) is based on the fact that it's users will have different environments.
Users specify their environment variables so that any applications built (almost all applications are built from source) will be compiled based on those settings ... hopefully optimized for that specific machine hardware.
example:Not sure if there have been any reliable speed tests performed.

Note on 64bit ... make sure all the applications you want are supported for this architecture.

Note: Gentoo does not require a lot of hacking. -> http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/gentoo-...ickinstall.xml

Most distros are built for 386 as that is perceived as the "lowest common denominator". There are usually 686 kernels offered - but that is only the kernel; not tool-chain and major apps (like DMs for example).
That's where source distros come into their own - but can be very time consuming.

As for 64-bit, Ubuntu offer one for download.

I have a 32 bit P4 here is the output of uname -a
Notice the i686. I don't know what it means but it is there. This is with Edgy. I'll post what Feisty (actually Ubuntu Studio) says when I log into it.

Also, I noticed on ubuntoforum.org that many have had problems with the 64 bit version. Many have returned to the 32 bit version.

I'm back here is Ubuntu Studio low latency's uname -aAgain i686 is present.

And here is Ubuntu Studio's Feisty generic kernelAnd once again i686 is present.

I leave to other to explain what it means.

Used to be you had to use the -686 kernel to get SMP functionality.
Think it's all rolled in now. But again, it'd only be the kernel.

64bit distros are a pain in my opinion. I'm not sure what performance enhancements there are, but one of the things that annoyed me, was most Firefox plugins were 32bit(flash, and a few others), and would not work in the 64bit browsers. So then you had to jump through the hoops of installing a 32bit browser, then install the 32bit plugins you wanted. As for "enhancements"... I didn't really notice anything major. When I decided to upgrade to Edgy, I just did a clean install of the i386 version, and haven't worried about the 64bit versions since.

IGF

Thanks for all the posts.

I think what needs to be remembered here is that firstly is that clearly i686 is NOT Pentium 4 (as stated I have a P4 3Ghz)

Secondly, any report from "uname -a" indicating i686 refers only to the kernel. In other words, and I agree with the post from syg00, not tool the tool chain and software layers.There is a heck of a lot of code in the DM (Desktop Managers) for example that will not be optimized.

Ubuntu is i386 which seems a long LONG way off my CPU. As an embedded systems programmer I am faimiliar with the extra performance that can be gained by maximising use of processor architecture. With Pentium 4 being quite commonplace I was wondering why ubuntu has not been (does not offer) this optimization. I'd like to stay with ubuntu but as my experience grows I will probably move over to another distro offering a better relationship with my hardware, particularly the CPU. This would be a shame so if there is anyone listening, how about an UBUNTU release for P4.

You have GOT TO BE KIDDING mate.

I've got a full time job. I dont want to hack and just want a PC that works out of the box and faciliates my computing needs. If I can ditch windows for linux, then great. But you have got to be kidding me, with this hacking business, in order just to get the machine into a usable STARTING state.

Maybe you should look at something like Arch - 686 optimised, and as bare as it could be. You want it, you install it.
If you want to (in addition) optimise for arch flags, start compiling.

I use Arch as my distro of choice on laptops now (rather than Gentoo) - and on an old Xeon (PIII) 4-way server it flies.
Gotta say, if you are interested in (raw) performance, the mega distros (Ubuntu included) ain't going to cut it.

Thanks for the help. I'm after performance because i do a lot of video encoding (kino, avidemux, mencoder etc) to DVD authoring. However, I have simply no time or desire for hacking, I just want a PC with the engine on and ready to roll. Ubuntu is great for the latter and the debian base package system has lots on offer.

Do you think in your view buddy, that I would realise a significant improvement in performance from arch linux over ubuntu. A difficult question with lots of variables I know, but take a "engineered guess" for me please

I've just discovered "MEPIS" (6.5):

Pros:
-----
Have a release for i586 architecture, rather than the "common denominator" i386 of ubuntu.

Based on Ubuntu ("back end")

Debian repos (prob same as ubuntu anyway?)

Comes with components that I had to install on top of Ubuntu (e.g. to name a FEW: Java, codecs, video conversion tools, DVD authoring tools).


Cons:
-----
Old version of KDE and kernel is not upto date (but these are really trivial to update through precompiled packages).

Not as popular as Ubuntu (??according to distro watch) so does this mean limited support.

Maintained by a single individual ... a ("Warren" chap?) so upgrade and fix path is unclear.


So, its a no brainer for me ... I'm after a desktop replacement for video editing and DVD authoring + media playback, all taking advantage of my i586 architecture.

Could the answer be MEPIS ??

I used to use Mepis for the "Lady of the house" as it was a good intro to Linux for a Windoze user. As you say it came with (just about) everything required.
When Warren went with version 6 (the changeover to Ubuntu repositories) I think he dropped the ball - especially re error recovery in the install scripts.

I couldn't do the upgrade on herselfs machine due to network and video recognision issues.
So I got rid of Mepis. Others have reported they like it.

Having a single developer "owning" a distro is no big deal - ask the Slackware users. Gentoo survived the loss of their creator; no reason to think others won't take over in need. Distros come and go all the time.

While not 64 bit, you might take a look at Ubuntu Studio. It has a low latency kernel and is optimized for multimedia production. I don't know about video production but for audio you can run in realtime as a user not just as root. A great many of the default apps are not included (open office, email, games (which can be added if you desire)) but just about all open source multimedia apps are. It may or may not fit your needs.

Installed MEPIS.

Yeah, have to agree syg00 - my lady in the house finds MEPIS remarkably similar. She doesnt like ubuntu gnome - although switch to KDE is no big deal.

I've installed MEPIS now and performance is great. For me, it is really ubuntu dapper with a "glossy" KDE cover. My ubuntu "training" means MEPIS is no impact whatsoever. Plus, all the apps I want and had to install are all there.

What I MUST say about MEPIS is that the display and fonts are truly superb. One's interaction with the system is primarily through the display for this is where we "see" our computer interaction. For me and my family, the display is terrific.

I think if ubuntu could match this display quality, provide optimised distros and ensure stablility (KDE was never that good on Fiesty for me anyway) then I would have not switched. For now though, MEPIS is my baby.

The 64 bit ubuntu lacks drivers and did not work very well with my system. I didn't see any noticable difference in performance !
Sorry unbuntu