i386 or AMD64?

[GXice]

Hi all, I'm going to take my first step into Linux tomorrow, wish me luck!

For now, the lucky distro I want to use is Xubuntu. I just like the icy blue interface, not so much a fan of the orange Ubuntu one. Or can I install Ubuntu and then just apply the Xubuntu desktop environment?

Anyway, getting off track. I have no idea which version I should download. The system itself is an AMD x2 5000+, so should I go for the AMD64 one?

If there are compatability problems like with Windows 64bit, I'll just grab the i386 version.

[medic2000]

Not try 64bit. Because well the world isnt fully ready for it

Xubuntu is nice and a littler faster than Ubuntu. But first i suggest you to try pure Ubuntu. You can change the theme easily of course.

[SOULRiDER]

I use a Core2Duo processor with 64bit and i have no issues whatsoever, IMHO you should try using 64bit Ubuntu. You can install Ubuntu and then install XFCE, Xubuntu's desktop enviroment.

[GXice]

You can install Ubuntu and then install XFCE, Xubuntu's desktop enviroment.

OK awesome, I'll do that then. But I already have a 32bit CD here with Ubuntu 8.04, so any special reason to download the 64bit version? I'm talking performance gains - will I notice any more speeeeeeeeed?

[Bölvaður]

OK awesome, I'll do that then. But I already have a 32bit CD here with Ubuntu 8.04, so any special reason to download the 64bit version? I'm talking performance gains - will I notice any more speeeeeeeeed?

There is little difference in speed between 32 and 64 bit versions. Perhaps it depends on the work you do.

But what you really should do is to install the default ubuntu as it comes off the cow (this is a qoute from my professor).

I would not advice you to install xfce deksktop evironments on that, not yet atleast. First change the themes (you can find themes on gnome-art and other websites that has to do with gnome).
Everything you can see can be changed, but it is way too drastic to change from gnome to xfce (xfce is really nice I am using it atm, but I recomand gnome over it any day).


1. install ubuntu
2. change themes
3. explore the programs in add/remove
4. fittle with compiz-fusion until you get annoyed with it
5. fittle with conky
6. reinstall newer version of ubuntu with all the knowledge you've gained.

[GXice]

but it is way too drastic to change from gnome to xfce (xfce is really nice I am using it atm, but I recomand gnome over it any day).

Why is it drastic? I looked at screenshots, they look very similar, just the colour scheme and fonts are a bit different. But yes, I'll take your advice. I'll get used to GNOME first, as it seems to be the default "noob" thing to do.

[deadite66]

from my experience i get xorg crashing in x64 both gutsy & hardy.
no problems with x86

[Therion]

If Xubuntu is what appeals to you, download and install Xubuntu. There's no specific "path" of learning that starts with Gnome and then proceeds to something else. If you like the look and feel of Xubuntu, install it. Or, if you're unsure, burn a few LiveCD's (Ubuntu, Xubuntu maybe Kubuntu too!) and test drive them all before you install. But don't get suckered into thinking there's a proper way to do this. It's up to you what you want and what you want to install.

As for 32bit vs. 64-bit: I see no reason not to install the 64-bit version since your processor supports it. Will you see a speed difference? Probably not. What I notice is... Well... I call it "smoothness". The 64-bit versions of Ubuntu just seem to run more smoothly. It's a hard thing to explain exactly, but having run both 32 and 64-bit systems, I can tell you I'll put up with a LOT before I'll go back to running a 32-bit distro again. With recent releases of Ubuntu I've had zero problems under 64-bit.

[medic2000]

In 64bit arent the programs limited than 32bit for now?

[jerome1232]

Biggest gains for 64bit are number crunching
(compiling, video/audio encoding, compression, encryption, gaming)

And you can use as much ram as your motherboard will allow.

There are a few cases where commercial programs aren't avaible for 64bit, many of them work anyways (64bit is backwards compatible, it's library files that get you in trouble because they'll want the 32bit versions sometimes)