would an older distro be faster?

[jrcow97]

I'm thinking about installing slackware on an old 486, with not too much memory.

I know that I can trim down the kernel by not compiling the unneccessary supports, but even if I trim it down, would an old distro run faster?

jrcow

[ph34r]

Slack 8 ran fine on my 486sx33 with 4mb ram (had to use ash instead of bash, read 4mb laptop howto for more info), but with 12mb it is just fine. I wouldn't want compile a kernel on it, but it does what I need it to do.

[fateswarm]

Normal answer to this is, No.

Kernel through the years gets updated not only with "drivers and tools", it also gets all sorts of performance patches.

But, it also can become big for a VERY old machine so I think the best way to find out is to visit kernel.org, subscribe to their mailing list and ask them out.

[error27]

no it wouldn't run faster.

i bet slack can install on a 486 fine. if not then debian can. or there are small distros on the net.

[jrcow97]

thanks everyone!