Re: i386 or amd64?

[Mark Allums <mark@allums.com>]

Hugo Vanwoerkom wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am about to buy the mobo that Doug Tutty has: Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe, 
> albeit with a more moderate AM2 processor: AMD Athlon X2 4050e 2.1GHz 
> 45W 65nm Dual-Core.
>
> Question I have is what do I run on it, I would prefer restoring a 
> current i386 system on it and then go on from there.
>
> So I found this:
>
> http://lists.debian.org/debian-amd64/2005/07/msg00311.html
>
> which lists 6 options:
>
> 1) Install i386 version and use that using 32bit kernel.
> 2) Install amd64 version and use that.
> 3) Install i386 with amd64 kernel package (i386 sarge includes that) and 
> amd64-libs to allow running some 64bit programs and most 32bit
> (iptables/alsa-utils and other things that talk to some kernel
> interfaces have to be 64bit when used with a 64bit kernel I believe).
> 4) Install amd64 version and ia32-libs to allow running some 32bit
> programs and all 64bit.
> 5) Install i386 with an amd64 kernel package and a 64bit chroot to play
> with full 64bit stuff in. (I use this one at the moment).
> 6) Install amd64 with a i386 chroot to run 32bit packages in.
>
> I would prefer 1) but how does one do that?
>
> Hugo
>


 Just go AMD64 and be done with it.  You get all the memory you can
 stand, and can still run nearly all 32-bit software with a little
 planning ahead.  I have no problems.  Use a chroot in those rare
 instances when you absolutely must run a 32 bit kernel.  Which will be
 very rare.



 Mark Allums