breakthru, maybe....

[Robert Huff]

Matthew Seaman writes:

>  All Intel processors produced in the last few years have been
>  64bit capable, including anything labelled 'core2'.  You need to
>  install the amd64 architecture binaries to get the system running
>  in 64bit mode though, even though it's an Intel chip.
>  
>  Likewise, all Intel and AMD processors support running in 32bit
>  mode, and you need to install the i386 architecture binaries to
>  achieve that, irrespective of who actually manufactured your
>  processor chips.
>  
>  As to which variant you should install?  For servers, I'd go
>  64bit pretty much automatically.  For desktops, especially if you
>  need 3D graphics performance you're somewhat limited by the
>  support available for your graphics adapter.  There are 64bit
>  drivers for various ATI cards, but I can't tell off hand if the
>  one you have is supported.  If it is, or if you don't care about
>  3D graphics support, then go 64bit.

	There are alsu a ((very) small) number of ports that do not
compile or do not run in 64-bit mode.  Figure out if one of them is
mission-critical before installing; check for the "NOT_FOR_ARCH" and
"ONLY_FOR_ARCH" settings in the port's Makefile.
	That said, the machine I'm typing on is about six weeks old and
running an AMD Phenom II x4.  I installed amd64 with some
trepidation, fully prepared to re-install i386.  However, it's now
up over 675 ports - including apache, mysql, firefox, and OpenOffice
- and everything works.


					Robert Huff