The best 64bit Distribution?

barbar89 · 2006-12-15 20:20:01

Hi,

I've used Archlinux since three weeks and I'm very happy with it. Now I've bought an INTEL 3.0 64bit CPU.
Now I want to change my operation system (distribution) because archlinux is optimised for i686. Which distribution do u recommend to use with 64bit CPU?

Gullible Jones · 2006-12-15 20:36:18

Arch. As of now it officially supports x86-64.

fumbles · 2006-12-24 02:49:41

I've been using Arch x86_64 for awhile now and I have to say it is top notch!
Also used other 64bit distros, they suck (Fedora (esp), Ubuntu, Gentoo).
(well I just dont like Gentoo at all)

But as for all 64bit platforms, DONT go 64 unless you have to!
ie you have >4GB of memory, you have programmes that only run in 64bit, you are a developer who writes stuff for 64bit, (im sure there are a few other reasons)

But yeah 32 is where it is at!

Acid7711 · 2006-12-24 06:28:14

I've personaly tried both 64bit Arch and Gentoo. Honestly, both were pretty similar in the way the programs ran in my experience. I'm pretty lean with compiler options and such.

However, imo, 64bit has a loooooooooooooooong way to go before it's ready for day to day use.

Mr Green · 2006-12-24 08:32:39

Stick with 32 IMHO

if you want to try x64_86 then maybe dual boot

deficite · 2006-12-24 15:42:20

Has anybody noticed a performance boost when using Arch64? Even a very small one? 64-bit has the capability to be much more efficient in some tasks.

rayjgu3 · 2006-12-24 17:52:11

i agree i run arch32 & arch64 on same machine a spend a whole lot more time in arch32 cause of diffrents appz that just dont work in 64bit distro's
ive tried several i always come back to arch

deficite wrote
Has anybody noticed a performance boost when using Arch64? Even a very small one? 64-bit has the capability to be much more efficient in some tasks.

on some tasks i do believe there is a speedier process of things

Acid7711 · 2006-12-24 21:13:20

deficite wrote:

Has anybody noticed a performance boost when using Arch64? Even a very small one? 64-bit has the capability to be much more efficient in some tasks.

I agree with rayjgu3, certain apps will show a small gain in performance, however these are specific to programs running natively in 64bit mode. Emulated 32bit actually puts more of a strain than natively running it in 32bit mode. The amounts of strain are so minuscule that you shouldn't notice though.

Basically what it breaks down to is a big marking scheme at this point in time. For the average users doing average things on average computers, even with 64bit hardware using 64bit native software, the gains will be minimal imo. It's kinda just the next step of progressing forward. Imo, one of the biggest marketing schemes out there is raw processor speed. For me it's the same kinda deal. "I gatta have a processor that runs at 9ghz!!!!" but in reality, if you only have a FSB capable of 1ghz, you're not really gaining anything because there's still a bottleneck.

Short answer, probably in the next 3-5 years we'll finally start phasing out 32bit more and more, but it won't be completely gone for a long while. Speed isn't the only advantage to native 64bit. It's really one of the lesser advantages.

Quite honestly, I don't see 64bit single processors going anywhere. I've been in firm belief ever since 64bit first started hitting the market that it wasn't going to do much on it's own. What is going to make a difference is multi core 64bit processors. THEN we'll see some gains.

chaosgeisterchen · 2006-12-25 23:52:24

64bit will be dead outdated when it comes near full usage.

In order to increase the power of processors in futures times they have to broaden the data bus from 64bit to e.g. 1KB. This will result in an unbelievable increase in speed and therefore requires fully optimized operating systems supporting it.

I am already dreaming of solocore-processors at around 5GHz, 1KB data bus and about 128-512MB of L2-cache. It will be like a sports car against a snail in a short circuit race.

chrismortimore · 2006-12-26 01:18:12

I use the 64bit Arch Linux on a daily basis for desktop usage, light server tasks, and development and have no issues with it, other than Flash Player not working.

And if people are finding Arch 64 isn't up to scratch, lend a hand, it is very understaffed just now.

d2_racing · 2007-06-06 02:51:22

Gentoo rock's because with the /etc/make.conf you will compile all your programs with some CXXFLAGS for 64 bits processor.

d2_racing · 2007-06-06 02:52:53

No one beat a source distribution, you can choose the level of optimisation that your want...

Arch is a binary distribution, but you can use ABS, to do want Debian or Gentoo does.

Riklaunim · 2007-06-06 08:45:46

Gentoo has the + for 32bit support allowing to install mplayer, opera or 32bit wine Is there diffs between 32 and 64 ? On daily desktop usage - I don't see them

d2_racing · 2007-06-06 11:46:28

You find out when you check the /etc/make.conf.

There is no visible difference

ataraxia · 2007-06-06 13:22:09

As much as it makes me sound like a troll, it unfortunately looks to me that the best 64-bit free Unix is... Solaris. Sun has totally eliminated the need to run 32-bit apps in a chroot, and therefore can (and does) supply a mixed 32/64 system where only those things that actually benefit from being 64-bit are shipped that way.

Linux could stand to learn from Sun on this one.

d2_racing · 2007-06-06 16:41:19

In fact Solaris is a bomb

Arch Linux

#1 2006-12-15 20:20:01

The best 64bit Distribution?

#2 2006-12-15 20:36:18

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#3 2006-12-24 02:49:41

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#4 2006-12-24 06:28:14

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#5 2006-12-24 08:32:39

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#6 2006-12-24 15:42:20

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#7 2006-12-24 17:52:11

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#8 2006-12-24 21:13:20

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#9 2006-12-25 23:52:24

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#10 2006-12-26 01:18:12

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#11 2007-06-06 02:51:22

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#12 2007-06-06 02:52:53

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#13 2007-06-06 08:45:46

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#14 2007-06-06 11:46:28

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#15 2007-06-06 13:22:09

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

#16 2007-06-06 16:41:19

Re: The best 64bit Distribution?

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