kernel optimized for Athlon XP 1800+

[mr fred]

 --- Jan Stary <stare at ns.arachne.cz> wrote: > Hi there,
> 
> I installed FreeBSD 5.0 a few days ago and I love it. This is what I
> wanted to turn my linux box into for a long time!
> 
> Anyway; it's an Athlon CPU, and when compiling my custom kernel, I
> couldn't find any option more specific then CPU_I686 (also said
> ATHLON_SSE_HACK). I only want to make sure that it really gets optimized
> for my Athlon (so far, all ports compile with -mcpu=pentiumpro).
> 
> Is it so that for FreeBSD5.0 there is just a 'class' of I686 CPUs
> (without differentiating more) or is there some other option I missed?
> 
> btw, what is fb50's analogy of what linux names /proc/cpuinfo ?
> 
> Thank you
> 
> Jan

I have the same cpu and I have only recently switched to FreeBSD (been
enlightened).
I am on constant lookout for optimisation tweaks!
Asside from disabling debugging and other unneeded options I havent found
anything that relates to AthlonXP specific options with the kernel (except for
the MAKEOPTIONS (?) flag)... I dont think the SSE_HACK option needs to be
enabled if you see SSE in the start of dmseg... but, checkout the compiler
options and edit /etc/make.conf accordingly (man make.conf). I cannot remember
whether the MAKEOPTIONS in the kernel config override or compliment those in
/etc/make.conf... I just put my options in the /etc/make.conf :) It kind of
pays to know what youre doing when adding more options though... strange things
can happen :) I think its pretty safe to add -msse -mmmx -mcpu=athlon-xp to the
CFLAGS option though (I think -march=whatever gets added from that other CPU
option) :) I dont have access to my FreeBSD box right now... I would suggest
getting a benchmark from the ports tree as well (something which I havent
gotten around to yet).
BTW I think there is a performance mailing list now (?) maybe give that a go...

cheers
Fred


=====
worry is a missuse of imagination

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