386-586-686

[ssalman]

Newer CPUs offer an enhanced and extended instruction set, which are the
basic commands that the CPU execute when you fire-up a program (say
Firefox). So when you use your P4 CPU with the 386 kernel, you are
using a kernel that is limited to the instruction set of a 3
generations old CPU. If you use 686 kernel, you’ll be utilizing
your CPU to the fullest.

Now that’s all fine in theory, but in practice using 686
kernels give you a speed boost, but it is not noticeable most of the
time. But there is nothing to lose by using 686 kernels, and maybe few
to gain.

The most optimal case is to use 686 kernels and applications
optimized and compiled for 686 CPUs… but that is a story for
another distribution! ;)

Hope this helps.


-- 
ssalman