Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
Michael Collette wrote: I don't have any bias towards either company. My focus is spending my money on what will actually work. Starting to feel like I'll be looking at the Pentium-D processors. I've got a laptop with a dual core Pentium and it works pretty sweet. AMD 64bit processors work just fine in i386 mode and dollar for dollar will outperform Intel and run cooler and use less power. There is no need to discount AMD just because you don't want to run 64 bit version. No, I don't work for AMD, I just recognise a better product. cover> --Alex, my 2 pence ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
On Wednesday 21 June 2006 01:42, Michael Collette wrote: > Andy Reitz wrote: > > In 64-bit mode, that does appear to be the case. However, it sounds like > > you could purchase an AMD64-based processor, and have everythign work > > fine in 32-bit mode. Then later down the road, as the software evolves, > > you could upgrade FreeBSD to be 64-bit and be set. > > > > Just a thought, > > I was thinking along those lines as well, but then the money starts to > kick in. The dual core Pentium is a much lower price than the dual > AMD64. By the time the software is truly ready to go 64-bit, I think > I'd be better off buying a system at that point. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that 64-bit is going to be superfast, most people report very little difference in speed, except in a limited number of applications, some people say that it's actually slower. The real reason for 64-bit is support for address spaces that span more than 4GB. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
On Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:35:15 -0700 Michael Collette <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Bit of a dilemma here with my primary desktop machine suddenly up and > dieing on me. I'm now in the market to slap together a new PC > > I've started with looking at picking up an AMD64 based system. After > Googling around for a while I still have some concerns I haven't been > able to address. Probably just not looking the right places. > > Mostly I'm worried about some of the proprietary stuff like Flash, > Acrobat, nVidia Drivers, Java, and the like not working. > > Is anyone out there actively using the AMD64 processor as a desktop > machine? Are any of these 32-bit apps going to prove to be a show > stopper for me? > > The alternative appears to be the P4 with all the motherboards I've > seen using audio devices that aren't supported. Still, I'd rather > buy an old sound card and have all the software at least functional. > Any advice out there? > > Thanks, I tried the AMD64 version some time ago. Unfortunately I have to use Win'XP sometimes and an ext2 filesystem with the right Windows driver enables me to share files between XP and FreeBSD. For me 'Problem Report amd64/69704 : ext2/ext3 unstable in amd64' was the reason to switch back to the 32 bits version of FreeBSD again as it locked up every time I wrote or read a ext2 filesystem. Cor ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
Andy Reitz wrote: In 64-bit mode, that does appear to be the case. However, it sounds like you could purchase an AMD64-based processor, and have everythign work fine in 32-bit mode. Then later down the road, as the software evolves, you could upgrade FreeBSD to be 64-bit and be set. Just a thought, I was thinking along those lines as well, but then the money starts to kick in. The dual core Pentium is a much lower price than the dual AMD64. By the time the software is truly ready to go 64-bit, I think I'd be better off buying a system at that point. Maybe they'll be selling quads by then :) Later on, -- "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." - Yogi Berra ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
On Tue, 20 Jun 2006, Michael Collette wrote: > Any and all feedback is appreciated. For as nice as the AMD64 processor > may be, sounds like things are a ways off before the software has fully > caught up. In 64-bit mode, that does appear to be the case. However, it sounds like you could purchase an AMD64-based processor, and have everythign work fine in 32-bit mode. Then later down the road, as the software evolves, you could upgrade FreeBSD to be 64-bit and be set. Just a thought, -Andy. ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
Mark Kane wrote: > Hi. I'm using an Athlon64 3000+ (and the amd64 version of FreeBSD) as my main workstation. I also have another workstation with the same CPU running the i386 version. Here's my opinions: Flash - The 32 bit Linux binary of Flash 7 works in linux-firefox or linux-opera fine in i386 or amd64. The 32 bit Linux version of Flash 6 works somewhat with linuxpluginwrapper and the native Firefox on the i386 version of FreeBSD, although I've found it to be somewhat unstable and crashed quite a bit. There's also a project Gnash that is an open source Flash player, but I have not tried that one yet. Acrobat - The Linux binary of Acrobat 7 works for sure in the i386 version of FreeBSD. I have not tested it on my amd64 one (I just use xpdf), but the port's Makefile says it works and I don't see why it would have a problem. nVidia Drivers - Work great in the i386 version of FreeBSD. Does not work on the amd64 version yet ( http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=41545 ). Java - Got it to work on i386 version of FreeBSD (interfacing with browser not attempted, just for OpenOffice), but have not needed to or attempted on my amd64 box. I'm not sure if it's even possible for amd64 or not (as the Makefile I looked at shows only for i386), but someone else will know. For my purposes, there really isn't much that the amd64 version cannot do that the i386 version can. I would like the nVidia driver to work since I have a decent video card, but the Flash and Java I don't really care about much anymore. I use the native Firefox compiled from ports for my browsing and just fire up linux-opera whenever I need to see a Flash site. Unfortunately, those items are pretty important to me. Kind of the point of the mail. I appreciate the feedback, and I am aware of some of the work arounds you mentioned. I use JEdit daily, as well as a couple of other Java apps. The nVidia driver thing stinks too. I had that running on my PC before the crash, and really liked it. Me personally, I prefer AMD hardware over Intel and would get the Athlon64 regardless of if I run in i386 or amd64 mode FreeBSD. I don't have any bias towards either company. My focus is spending my money on what will actually work. Starting to feel like I'll be looking at the Pentium-D processors. I've got a laptop with a dual core Pentium and it works pretty sweet. However, be sure to check your AMD64 hardware against the compatibility list before buying. I had to buy a replacement motherboard real quickly one day after one failed and I didn't fully check out the list before buying. When I got it, it turns out the onboard NIC and sound didn't work with FreeBSD in i386 or amd64 mode. I already had a NIC and sound card ready to go from the previous machine, but now both PCI slots on the Micro-ATX motherboard are taken and unfortunately I can't put in a SCSI card. I've been looking over spec pages like crazy for various motherboards, with particular attention on network and audio. The amd64 motherboard list is here. Note that "amd64" in this case means the hardware itself and not the OS version, so if it's not listed here then the i386 version probably will not work either with that hardware (I found that out the hard way): http://www.freebsd.org/platforms/amd64/motherboards.html For sound cards, I have found the Sound Blaster stuff to work well with FreeBSD so far. I'm running an Augidy 2 Platinum in my main machine and it works better than on Windows (had tons of skipping problems that never could be solved -- thought it was a bad card but moving to FreeBSD eliminated them). The cheaper SB LIVE cards work too, and some of my machines have onboard which work great also. Hope that helps. :) Any and all feedback is appreciated. For as nice as the AMD64 processor may be, sounds like things are a ways off before the software has fully caught up. Thanks, -- "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." - Yogi Berra ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
On Mon, Jun 19, 2006, at 22:35:15 -0700, Michael Collette wrote: > Bit of a dilemma here with my primary desktop machine suddenly up and > dieing on me. I'm now in the market to slap together a new PC > > I've started with looking at picking up an AMD64 based system. After > Googling around for a while I still have some concerns I haven't been > able to address. Probably just not looking the right places. > > Mostly I'm worried about some of the proprietary stuff like Flash, > Acrobat, nVidia Drivers, Java, and the like not working. > > Is anyone out there actively using the AMD64 processor as a desktop > machine? Are any of these 32-bit apps going to prove to be a show > stopper for me? > > The alternative appears to be the P4 with all the motherboards I've > seen using audio devices that aren't supported. Still, I'd rather > buy an old sound card and have all the software at least functional. > Any advice out there? > > Thanks, Hi. I'm using an Athlon64 3000+ (and the amd64 version of FreeBSD) as my main workstation. I also have another workstation with the same CPU running the i386 version. Here's my opinions: Flash - The 32 bit Linux binary of Flash 7 works in linux-firefox or linux-opera fine in i386 or amd64. The 32 bit Linux version of Flash 6 works somewhat with linuxpluginwrapper and the native Firefox on the i386 version of FreeBSD, although I've found it to be somewhat unstable and crashed quite a bit. There's also a project Gnash that is an open source Flash player, but I have not tried that one yet. Acrobat - The Linux binary of Acrobat 7 works for sure in the i386 version of FreeBSD. I have not tested it on my amd64 one (I just use xpdf), but the port's Makefile says it works and I don't see why it would have a problem. nVidia Drivers - Work great in the i386 version of FreeBSD. Does not work on the amd64 version yet ( http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=41545 ). Java - Got it to work on i386 version of FreeBSD (interfacing with browser not attempted, just for OpenOffice), but have not needed to or attempted on my amd64 box. I'm not sure if it's even possible for amd64 or not (as the Makefile I looked at shows only for i386), but someone else will know. For my purposes, there really isn't much that the amd64 version cannot do that the i386 version can. I would like the nVidia driver to work since I have a decent video card, but the Flash and Java I don't really care about much anymore. I use the native Firefox compiled from ports for my browsing and just fire up linux-opera whenever I need to see a Flash site. Me personally, I prefer AMD hardware over Intel and would get the Athlon64 regardless of if I run in i386 or amd64 mode FreeBSD. However, be sure to check your AMD64 hardware against the compatibility list before buying. I had to buy a replacement motherboard real quickly one day after one failed and I didn't fully check out the list before buying. When I got it, it turns out the onboard NIC and sound didn't work with FreeBSD in i386 or amd64 mode. I already had a NIC and sound card ready to go from the previous machine, but now both PCI slots on the Micro-ATX motherboard are taken and unfortunately I can't put in a SCSI card. The amd64 motherboard list is here. Note that "amd64" in this case means the hardware itself and not the OS version, so if it's not listed here then the i386 version probably will not work either with that hardware (I found that out the hard way): http://www.freebsd.org/platforms/amd64/motherboards.html For sound cards, I have found the Sound Blaster stuff to work well with FreeBSD so far. I'm running an Augidy 2 Platinum in my main machine and it works better than on Windows (had tons of skipping problems that never could be solved -- thought it was a bad card but moving to FreeBSD eliminated them). The cheaper SB LIVE cards work too, and some of my machines have onboard which work great also. Hope that helps. :) -Mark -- Internet Radio: Party107 (Trance/Electronic) - http://www.party107.com Rock 101.9 The Edge (Rock) - http://www.rock1019.net IRC: MIXXnet IRC Network - irc.mixxnet.net (Nick: MIXX941) GnuPG Public Key: http://www.mkproductions.org/mk_pubkey.asc ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
Chad Leigh -- Shire.Net LLC wrote: You can always run the 32bit i386 version on the AMD motherboard if you find out that the above stuff doesn't work so well. I don't use FreeBSD as a desktop so I cannot comment on that part but amd64 issues with flash etc does not mean you have to buy a P4 or other Intel chip based system. Not really anything against Intel here, just thought that the AMD might be worth looking at. Just so much of what is available for purchase for either platform seems to have issues with hardware support. Thanks for the feedback just the same. -- "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." - Yogi Berra ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
Re: AMD64 Desktop Support
On Jun 19, 2006, at 11:35 PM, Michael Collette wrote: Bit of a dilemma here with my primary desktop machine suddenly up and dieing on me. I'm now in the market to slap together a new PC I've started with looking at picking up an AMD64 based system. After Googling around for a while I still have some concerns I haven't been able to address. Probably just not looking the right places. Mostly I'm worried about some of the proprietary stuff like Flash, Acrobat, nVidia Drivers, Java, and the like not working. Is anyone out there actively using the AMD64 processor as a desktop machine? Are any of these 32-bit apps going to prove to be a show stopper for me? The alternative appears to be the P4 with all the motherboards I've seen using audio devices that aren't supported. Still, I'd rather buy an old sound card and have all the software at least functional. Any advice out there? You can always run the 32bit i386 version on the AMD motherboard if you find out that the above stuff doesn't work so well. I don't use FreeBSD as a desktop so I cannot comment on that part but amd64 issues with flash etc does not mean you have to buy a P4 or other Intel chip based system. Chad --- Chad Leigh -- Shire.Net LLC Your Web App and Email hosting provider chad at shire.net ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
AMD64 Desktop Support
Bit of a dilemma here with my primary desktop machine suddenly up and dieing on me. I'm now in the market to slap together a new PC I've started with looking at picking up an AMD64 based system. After Googling around for a while I still have some concerns I haven't been able to address. Probably just not looking the right places. Mostly I'm worried about some of the proprietary stuff like Flash, Acrobat, nVidia Drivers, Java, and the like not working. Is anyone out there actively using the AMD64 processor as a desktop machine? Are any of these 32-bit apps going to prove to be a show stopper for me? The alternative appears to be the P4 with all the motherboards I've seen using audio devices that aren't supported. Still, I'd rather buy an old sound card and have all the software at least functional. Any advice out there? Thanks, -- "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." - Yogi Berra ___ freebsd-questions@freebsd.org mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"
