[CentOS] x86_64 versus i386

Mon Dec 3 05:16:54 UTC 2007
Chris Mauritz <chrism at imntv.com>

Manish Kathuria wrote:
> Hello,
>
> On the Intel Core 2 Duo processor based systems, we have the option of
> installing either x86_64 or the i386 distribution. I would like to
> know your experiences with the x86_64 port. How does it compare with
> the i386 distribution in terms of stability, reliability and
> performance ? How significant are the performance benefits gained by
> using the x86_64 linux instead of i386 on the same system ? Keeping in
> mind a production environment, which port of CentOS do you recommend
> for a Core 2 Duo based server ? It would be great to have your
> opinion.
>   

Are these server machines or desktops/notebooks?  If the former, there 
isn't really any compelling reason to avoid the 64-bit version of the 
distribution.  On desktops, there are occasional gotchas with 3-rd party 
add-ons for your web browser and other "creature comfort" nuisance level 
things.  But those are mostly resolved at this juncture.  I had problems 
on a few desktop machines with various firefox plug-ins so I reverted to 
32-bits and the problems vanished.  I haven't revisited the problem 
since 5.0 was released so maybe things have gotten better. 

Best,