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x86 isn't just 32-bit. Linux distros have been reluctant to upgrade their notion of 32-bit x86 to require SSE2. This means that x86 isn't just 32-bit but involv
by hsivonen 10y ago
x86 isn't just 32-bit. Linux distros have been reluctant to upgrade their notion of 32-bit x86 to require SSE2. This means that x86 isn't just 32-bit but involves weird 387 floating-point math when other mainstream architectures use IEEE floating-point math.
- TazeTSchnitzel 10y agoPerhaps they're targeting people with old hardware?
- hsivonen 10y agoObviously, but everyone with more recent CPUs (as in only 14 years old) who runs x86 packages ends up running less efficient software.
- floatboth 10y agoInterestingly however, Linux distros have been quick to adopt i686. I remember setting up a router on a small PC with a VIA processor several years ago. Inserted a Debian hard drive into that box — "cmov instruction not supported" instead of booting. The i586 version existed of course, but wasn't the default download IIRC.