Aragorn <aragorn@chatfactory.invalid> wrote:
>> Are there any advantages and disadvantages between 686 and amd64 beside
>> being able to use more memory which I doubt I am going to (2 GB is
>> enough).
>
> Well, the /AMD64/ kernels are more likely to contain some processor-specific
> code optimizations than a generic /i686/ kernel,

There's a bit more to it than that....
x86-64 is more than just a wider address bus, it also contains a shedload
more cpu instructions, such as SSE3, iirc. There're also a lot more
registers available in 64bit mode. Which means less fetching from RAM during
calculations.

These enhancements may (in some situations) make it faster...
But I think the general consensus is, speed is generally slightly slower
because 64 bit applications tend to be slightly bigger due to the extended
instruction set and data-width taking more memory/disk space.

If you don't need more than 4gig of RAM, chances are, you're fine in 32 bit
mode, and may even be slightly better off, performance wise.

--
| spike1@freenet.co.uk | Windows95 (noun): 32 bit extensions and a |
| | graphical shell for a 16 bit patch to an 8 bit |
| Andrew Halliwell BSc | operating system originally coded for a 4 bit |
| in |microprocessor, written by a 2 bit company, that|
| Computer Science | can't stand 1 bit of competition. |