Debian AMD64 is not limited to AMD machines only
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Debian AMD64 label for its version of x86 64bit platform operating system often leads to misunderstanding that the installer only supports AMD CPU only. In fact the label was meant to support Intel based x86-64 bit CPU as well (such as the Core Duo processor) in addition of AMD machines.
Why Debian use 'AMD64' ?
The source of confusion traces back when AMD being the first to design the instruction set for the 64bit version of x86 CPUs (for Athlon 64) back in 2002. Back then Intel hasn't produced 64bit CPU yet making AMD the sole vendor for 64bit x86 CPU. The Debian project elected to support this architecture with the name AMD64.
Does Debian AMD64 works on Intel Core 2 Duo CPU ?
To make the story short, Intel then produces its own x86 64bit line of CPU base on AMD design. Since there are similarities, so both AMD64 and EM64T (Intel x86 64bit) shares instruction set design practically Debian AMD64 bit works on Intel CPU too (that includes Core 2 Duo CPU)
The confusion persists as Debian (and previously Ubuntu), still uses the AMD64 to identify with x86-64 platform which most other GNU/Linux distro doesnt (Fedora, Red Hat, Kanotix, Cent OS). In this case, I would prefer Debian to change its AMD64 labelling to 'x86-64' in order to refer to 64bit x86 based machines.
Conclusion
Debian still stuck with the old AMD64 labelling despite x86-64 is not limited to AMD CPU only and if you are wondering which version of Debian to install on your Intel Core 2 Duo computer, then please choose AMD64 with confidence.
Tags: debian, ubuntu, amd64, intel, amd, feisty fawn, gutsy gibbon
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November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Mohammad Hafiz bin Ismail: Debian AMD64 is not limited to AMD machines only Seymour Cakes: Subject: (none) Aizat Faiz: Malaysia.rb August 2007 Meetup
August 17th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
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August 17th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
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August 17th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
ya ya,
debian amd64 is for intel and amd cpus
August 18th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Maybe you can file a bug report to Debian? I’m sure a lot of people will benefit from that bug report.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I always say this mantra to my friend, “Kalau takut dengan risiko, jangan bicara tentang architecture x86_64″