[CentOS] Xeon EMT64 - IA64, x86_64 or i386?

Johnny Hughes mailing-lists at hughesjr.com
Thu Aug 18 11:24:50 UTC 2005


On Thu, 2005-08-18 at 07:19 -0400, Peter Arremann wrote:
> On Thursday 18 August 2005 07:11, Nick wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Just wanted to check which branch was the correct one for a Xeon EMT64?
> IA64 is itanium - that's out... x86_64 or i386 depends on the intended use of 
> your system. If it is a server and has lots of memory then the 64bit variant 
> is the right for you. If you need something that is easier to use and do not 
> have >2Gb ram, you're better off with i386 in my opinion.
> 
> The reason for that is that several applications (i.e. firefox plugins) will 
> have to run 32bit even if you installed the 64bit x86_64 OS since no 64bit 
> versions are available. To achive that, x86_64 contains a complete 32bit 
> runtime environment. This means you need more disk space (i.e. for the 64bit 
> and the 32bit versions of libraries) and you have a better chance of getting 
> something wrong (i.e. the 64bit library of something you need is installed 
> but you would need the 32bit version. A simple rpm -qa will show the package 
> is installed but when running your 32bit app, it will still fail). Yum will 
> take care of most of this, but if you're new to linux and/or do not want to 
> have to deal with these things, a i386 install is just simpler.
> 

I agree with Peter ... if it is going to be a server that doesn't need
lots of multimedia apps and openoffice, etc ... then use x86_64.

If it is going to be a workstation (or a Terminal server for many people
to use as a workstation), then I would use i386.
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