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Arch Linux Preparing To Deprecate i686 Support

posted by FatPhil on Thursday January 26 2017, @11:46AM   Printer-friendly
from the all-the-world's-a-Cray dept.

"exec" writes in with this story from Phoronix

Arch Linux is moving ahead with preparing to deprecate i686 (x86 32-bit) support in their distribution.

Due to declining usage of Arch Linux i686, they will be phasing out official support for the architecture. Next month's ISO spin will be the last for offering a 32-bit Arch Linux install. Following that will be a nine month deprecation period where i686 packages will still see updates.

Any Soylentils still making major use of 32-bit x86? And any of you using Arch Linux? Distrowatch still lists Arch Linux as a top 10 distribution.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 27 2017, @07:49AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 27 2017, @07:49AM (#459370)

    I tend to use my hottest hardware for desktops (should be obvious) and older/slower stuff for servers, meaning, 32 bit hw.

    I admin for a small hosting company and the servers are all older 32-bit hardware, most are dual P-III (yes) and they're quite fast. (Maybe I'm that good? I've always been a hotrodder- emphasis on efficiency.)

    Someone else commented about how newer hardware is more efficient per watt. That's a tricky thing to say in a broad way. They may do well at full speed, but those newer processors are using way more power when doing nothing, compared to the older P-III that really doesn't need a fan- I've tried- they stay cool. (No, I do not have any P-III desktop machines.)

    I have a few 64 bit capable systems, but I have no 64 bit OSes running. I've messed around with some for kicks, but I don't get what the big deal is. If you're running SolidWorks or such, OK, but for most casual desktop work? If I put a 64 bit OS on a machine, will it run faster or better than the 32 bit equivalent?