i386 or i586

Discussion in 'Linux, BSD and Other OS's' started by sabashuali, Oct 10, 2005.

  1. sabashuali

    sabashuali Ani Ma'amin

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    I saw on one of the downloading (http://www.linuxiso.org/index.php) sites that you have the option of
    images for i386 or i586.

    Sorry to sound really ignorant but which is my system? :confused:
    I use an Intel P4 based system.

    Thanks
     
    sabashuali, Oct 10, 2005
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  2. Addis

    Addis The King

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    A P4 system will be an i586 out of them two. Its the way the program is compiled and optimized i believe.
     
    Addis, Oct 10, 2005
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  3. sabashuali

    sabashuali Ani Ma'amin

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    Cheers!
     
    sabashuali, Oct 10, 2005
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  4. Fred

    Fred Moderator

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    i386 packages are compiled with the options/instructions which an Intel 80386
    (+equivalent) will run. They will also run on 486, pentium, ...

    i586 are 'optimised' for a pentium class processor (i.e. use new istructions
    and options) They will run on equivalents but not 80386/486.

    i686 (or IA64) are for the new 64bit chips.

    The above was borrowed from SUSE's website.
     
    Fred, Oct 10, 2005
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  5. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    And that's not necissarily the whole of it. i386 can also be used as a generic indicator of generic x86 compatibility, and can also include optional runtime optimizations for newer architrectures if supported. Depends on who built it.
     
    Anti-Trend, Oct 10, 2005
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