When upgrading ones kernel there are many options to choose from. What is the difference between the amd64 generic kernel and, say, the amd64 k8 kernel? If I have a k8 chipset is the k8 kernel necessarily best?

The difference between AMD64 generic and AMD64 K8 is an interesting question to ask because of its taxonomical value. That is, the heuristics meaning assigned to either reflects s o m e o n e'. s estimation of him-, its- or her- self. ---- What comes to mind is a bit foggy and perhaps someone might remember better than me. I believe that people who had AMD 64 bit CPUs where using either x86_64. I think; however, AMD decided against adopting the newly emerging standard x86_64 and attempted to enforce it.s decision--AMD64--through marketing, etc. But, as we can see in Linux the x86_64 is a standard for indedicating a portal, an architecture, a special condition to be asserted. ---- I have been reading a lot books on Linux, mainly Fedora Core 4, and one book said to take apart UNIX.s messages and errors piece by piece so that a larger understanding is possible. So your question says to me ''AMD64 generic mains nonspecific instances in which the 64 bit architecture is implemented. On other hand, ''AMD64 K8'' makes a more specific meaning to me at least because it is stating that K8 mother-broad is being used with the AMD64 CPU. Perhaps, and a big perhaps at that, AMD generic therefore means AMD's Opteron architecture running one of AMDs 64bit CPU. I think the later Opteron chips are 64 bit ?!? ON the other hand I can use my computer as a example of AMD64 K8: My mother-broad is manufactured by Giga-Byte and, surprise, surprise, is called GA-K8NSNXP-939. I would wager several conclusions drawn from this MOBOs name: (1) GA=Giga-Byte (no brainer); K8 the layout of the motherboard; (3) NSNXP = probably referring to the 250 nVidia chipset that works the motherboard. Theres no Intel on my machine as for as I know, as I custom designed the job. Any how, the 939'' refers to the CPU port. ----- SO I havent answered your questioned like I wish I could because it bothers me to see posted messages being viewed but going unanswered for a period of time. There are so many people who reading these posts that are way more experienced than I. I leave with you a fleeting thought. . . .What would be nice is someone 'were to say I got it all wrong; here's why; and so doing answers your question. . . . That would be desireable so long as people behavied.

Tim

K8 is just optimized for your motherboard. Your distro just used the generic kernel so it'd be able to run on more computers with out any problems. I don't know about a huge speed difference to go w/ K8 but if you're upgrading you might as well. It'd provide better interfacing w/ the motherboard, like temperature stats, and might be smaller.

I wonder if one of you guys has thought to email the KLML guys about this? That's where you'll find the ones who make the kernel choices, and should be the ones with the correct answer.

And by generic 1veedo means there are several different AMD 64-bit CPUs. Like the Socket 939 on Tim's board, the Socket 754 on this board of mine, etc. You can get an overview from AMD's Compare Desktop Processor Specifications page of the many different CPUs.

As of right now all Athlon 64's are K8, whether it be socket 754,939,940, or AM2 so I don't see what the difference could be.

But all AMD 64-bit CPUs are NOT created equal -- by a LONG shot! And they're not all Athlon 64s only, either.

They make AMD Athlon™ 64, AMD Athlon™ 64 FX, AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core, and the super laggy AMD Sempron™.

don't forget the Turion!