Selecting CPU/architecture for new system?

[Wojciech Puchar]

>
> Do you need more then 4GB of RAM, if so then your only option is 64-bit.

not true. but it's true if you need over 3GB of VM for single process.

>
>> o) Is FreeBSD 6.1 considered equally stable under the i386
>> architecture as under any of the 64bit architectures?
>> 
>
> Sure, and you can still run i386 FreeBSD on a 64-bit chip.

this way it doesn't make sense of buying 64-bit hardware.

i use FreeBSD/amd64 (6.0) and it works excellent.

>
>> o) Anything else to consider in this context?
>> 
>
> Code compiling is very fast on AMDs chip thanks to HyperTransport and
> the on-die memory controller, if your task can take advantage of this
> AMD is your best bet.

other tasks get from this adventage too, maybe not that much. lowest end 
AMD64 machines gets same memory bandwidth that high end P4 machines for 
1/10 price :) (and still having lower latency).