No benchmarks on hand, but I can tell you the difference between them is that the i586 distros (like Linux-Mandrake) are compiled using gcc's optimizations. Theoretically, using the most advanced instruction set you can will improve performance, as newer chips do things like combine multiple instructions into one (think MMX or 3DNow!). However, trying to run a kernel or app compiled for an i586 on an i386 (for example) would probably result in horrible crashes (never tried it personally).
I do use the same optimizations when compiling a kernel by choosing the architecture type during kernel config. Again, I don't have any benchmarks, but I can say that large amounts of disk access seems to eat up less CPU. Some people swear by it, others say it doesn't matter. I for one would be interested in benchmarks as well. Mike > Hi there ! > > I was wondering, about the fact some Linux distributions are " optimized " > for i586 processors : what does it really change ? Are there any benchmarks > comparing a distribution giving the choice of both i386/i586 ? > > Thanks in advance ! > > Mathias > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >
