Linux kernel is leaving 486 CPUs behind, only 18 years after the last one made
Linux kernel is leaving 486 CPUs behind, only 18 years after the last one made
Just as the MiSTer has started putting (sorta) 486s back in people's hands, although if the newly required instructions aren't too complicated, I suppose someone could conceivably add them to the core.
I guess one unknown for me is how the capability detection of the kernel works and if it works on instruction detection or if it determines it via CPUID.
A big also is that I've not yet tried to run Linux on mine yet so I'm not even sure it's possible with a modern kernel anyway. I think I remember seeing someone got an old version of redhat or Debian working
I've seen a whole raft of 386 machines on AliExpress recently. I need to investigate what's actually in them .
Edit: it's just 386s Edit 2: 386 soc on board
Ah I believe those are powered by chips originally intended to be used in industrial control use cases.
Loads of old manufacturing machines & software out there that are built around a 386/486, and given intel hasn't exactly been making those models in a good while, some companies stepped up to provide compatible replacements for those situations.
Someone on AliExpress had the idea of using them in a more pc-like product for retro gaming, and voila we have all these modern 386/486 clones
Yeah they seem to be M6117 386 soc. They're a bit pricey to buy on a whim, but I'll keep an eye out, might be fun to tinker with.
