Linux fat/bloated

[wattst-dxuVLtCph9gsA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org]

Quoting Lennart Sorensen <lsorense-1wCw9BSqJbv44Nm34jS7GywD8/FfD2ys at public.gmane.org>:

> On Fri, Apr 07, 2006 at 05:48:54AM -0400, Robert Brockway wrote:
> > So what we need is a control experiment.  We take 2 identical systems,
> > compile one for the correct cpu and the other for i386.  Then we have the
> > admin run a series of commands on each box while wearing a blindfold.  The
> > admin has to tell us which system is faster.
> >
> > Let's call it the "Gentoo challenge".
>
> Why i386?  glibc can't even compile for i386 anymore (needs i486 I
> believe).  At least use that.  That is what debian uses now.  i386 gets
> the missing instructions (only a few) emulated in the kernel similar to
> how the fpu is emulated when missing.
>
> Len Sorensen

This is getting un-linux related, but I've never known what i386/486/etc. refers
to and how you tell the difference.  I know that x86 simply refers to the Intel
architecture, but the numbers 3 to 6 are what I don't know.  Like, does Pentium
II or III correspond to one of those numbers?

Tom Watts
wattst-dxuVLtCph9gsA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org

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