Linux Kernel in a Nutshell

Name

M386 — 386

This is the processor type of your CPU. This information is used for optimization. In order to compile a kernel that can run on all x86 CPU types (albeit not optimally fast), you can specify 386 here.

The kernel will not necessarily run on earlier architectures than the one you have chosen; e.g., a Pentium optimized kernel will run on a PPro, but not necessarily on a i486.

Here are the settings recommended for greatest speed:

386

Choose this if you have a AMD/Cyrix/Intel 386DX/DXL/SL/SLC/SX, Cyrix/TI 486DLC/DLC2, UMC 486SX-S and NexGen Nx586 procesor. Only 386 kernels will run on a 386 class machine.

486

Choose this if you have a AMD/Cyrix/IBM/Intel 486DX/DX2/DX4 or SL/SLC/SLC2/SLC3/SX/SX2 and UMC U5D or U5S processor.

586

Choose this if you have a generic Pentium processor lacking the TSC (time stamp counter) register.

Pentium-Classic

Choose this if you have an Intel Pentium processor.

Pentium-MMX

Choose this if you have an Intel Pentium MMX processor.

Pentium-Pro

Choose this if you have an Intel Pentium Pro processor.

Pentium-II

Choose this if you have an Intel Pentium II or pre-Coppermine Celeron processor.

Pentium-III

Choose this if you have an the Intel Pentium III or Coppermine Celeron processor.

Pentium-4

Choose this if you have an Intel Pentium 4 or P4-based Celeron processor.

K6

Choose this if you have an AMD K6, K6-II or K6-III (aka K6-3D) processor.

Athlon

Choose this if you have a AMD K7 family (Athlon/Duron/Thunderbird) processor.

Crusoe

Choose this if you have a Transmeta Crusoe ...