What is difference between i386 and i686

[barney34]

I am new to linux but, I see i386 stuff all the time and i686 and both seem to work on my RedHat 7.0 celeron 400. Is there something I should be concerned about as far as quality or "runablilty"?

Thanks

[sans-hubris]

Compiling a kernel for i686 allows a kernel to take advantage of enhanced features of Pentium 2s (and up), Pentium Pros, K6 (and up), whereas i386 is an old processor type and compiling a kernel for that makes it almost universally compatible.

[655321]

right, anything that is for i386 will run on better processors (i586, i686, etc.) but not vice versa. You should always get the highest one that will still work for you, but if i386 is the only one they have, it will do.