Should I use amd64 or x86?

[TheEternalVortex]

I have an Athlon 64, however I heard that not all apps are working under that architecture. Should I just stick to x86 for maximum flexibility? If so, when I set up my system should I just do it as if it's an Athlon XP?

Thanks.

[brenden]

amd64 rocks. you won't look back.

[Arainach]

I'd run the system as amd64 to get the maximum advantage; Some packages are masked (like openoffice), but I haven't noticed any problems.

[TheEternalVortex]

All right, thanks.

[brenden]

I'd run the system as amd64 to get the maximum advantage; Some packages are masked (like openoffice), but I haven't noticed any problems.

thats what openoffice-bin is for

[Earthwings]

Moved from Installing Gentoo.

[J.M.I.T.]

I have an Athlon 64, however I heard that not all apps are working under that architecture. Should I just stick to x86 for maximum flexibility? If so, when I set up my system should I just do it as if it's an Athlon XP?

Thanks.

Yes you can use the same CFLAGS as for an Athlon XP. It's right that amd64 cannot compile all applications yet in 64bit, but the cpu works in 32bit compatibility mode without performance loss, e.g. the flash plugin only exists as 32bit version, but you can use it with a 32bit-version of firefox (firefox-bin in portage)....

[exodist]

you can do as I did, 2 partitions install amd64 then 32bit chroot to the other partition and install gentoo again oly in x86 mode, then on your menu's add chroot command lines as well as the regular ones, I can load firefox normally, but if I need flash for some reaosn I just open the firefox on the menu below it labeled firefox32 and it will chroot and run the command, I needed to do a chmod +s on a copy of linux32 with permissions only for my main user so nobody else had access to a +s binary, but it worked

now if only I could get alsa sound working in the 32 bit environment, oss works fine.

-this also works for mplayer to play vid's that require win32 dll's

[hardcampa]

you can do as I did, 2 partitions install amd64 then 32bit chroot to the other partition and install gentoo again oly in x86 mode, then on your menu's add chroot command lines as well as the regular ones, I can load firefox normally, but if I need flash for some reaosn I just open the firefox on the menu below it labeled firefox32 and it will chroot and run the command, I needed to do a chmod +s on a copy of linux32 with permissions only for my main user so nobody else had access to a +s binary, but it worked

now if only I could get alsa sound working in the 32 bit environment, oss works fine.

-this also works for mplayer to play vid's that require win32 dll's

Chroot is not needed for firefox though. As that is in portage as a 32 bit bin.
All you need is 32 bit compatibility in the kernel.