Planning for Phenom

[dabaerman]

yes, I am planning for a Phenom X4, the 9600BE 2.3GHz, is on my short list. I am not sure what to use for an OS.
does the X4 require a 64bit OS? will it work on a 32 bit OS? I am leaning towards Linux but leaving the comfort
of the mass produced software giant will not be easy.

Ron

[Redroar]

As far as I know, all currently manufactured 64-bit processors are backward compatible with 32-bit. If it wasn't 32-bit compatible, it'd be pretty much useless for a lot of things...

Edit: On the topic of OS's, Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSUSE, MEPIS, Linux Mint, and PCLinuxOS are all good starter Linuxes. If you like KDE (which is somewhat similar to Windows) then I'd go with OpenSUSE, MEPIS, or PCLinuxOS.

[dabaerman]

thanks Redroar, I wasn't thinking before asking. the move to QuadCore has now been made more interesting by the introduction of an AM2 Opteron, 2.1 Barcelona. the Opteron is more mature and that makes me wounder. which one would be the better choice?

Ron

[ccperf721p]

Without seeing any in action yet, it would be a tough call. The opterons will be a BA stepping so overclocking will more than likely be weak but it's the same pretty much across the board with AMD these days.

I would still have to lean towards a x4 phenom black edition and plan around a 2.8 OC on air.

[dabaerman]

Originally Posted by ccperf721p

I would still have to lean towards a x4 phenom black edition and plan around a 2.8 OC on air.

I had the same numbers in mind. there is a water cooled box looking for a new tenant
I have some choices and decisions to make.

Ron