AMD or Intel? Please Advise

[Mel Thompson]

Somewhere over the rainbow, when I can pull it together to get something a bit newer, (not new, but new - - er), I'm wondering whether I should be partial to AMD or Intel as the main chip? I'm weak enough on hardware points that I'm not sure if, or why, one would go for the one over the other? Is one worth paying a bit extra for?

[Oxygen]

AMD - Bettter Value
Intel - Faster CPUs

I would personally recommend an AMD I find them to be stable. Intels CPUs are better but they're also more expensive so if you have the money go for them otherwise stick with AMD.

[questio verum]

Be smart. Develop a bias for neither. When the time comes to purchase; assess the offerings and make your decision then. In the interim, you can educate yourself on what's available.

If you want to talk generalities, then yes...

AMD=value
Intel=performance.

No slur intended, Oxygen. But few people purchase based on generalities. They usually purchase based on their individual needs, budget, and what's available at time of purchase. Right now, Intel is still on a tear in response to their embarrassment at being thrashed by the Athlon64. It wont last forever, but right now you can get some great values buying Intel . For instance, you can buy AMD's current fastest desktop chip, the Phenom 9950, for about US$235 or you can buy Intel's C2Q 6600 -equal in every respect, and superior in a few- for about US$200. Or if speed is your thing, you could get an Intel Wolfdale in any of 4 different clock speeds, all of which are faster (some much faster) than the 9950, and all of which are cheaper. And don't forget about the planar side of the equation. Value and mid-level mobos are fairly competitive and advanced on both sides of the fence. Exotics, which are only available in Intel flavors, are absurdly expensive. This is why I say get rid of any bias and make your decision at your time of purchase. Things change much too fast in this market to offer loyalty to a corporation who values it not in the least.

Remember also, that for a linux user a hardware setup will likely remain on the desktop longer. Linux allows us to pull performance from our machines that windows users lose within weeks of purchase. Your concept of a bargain may change when you view it from that perspective.