[lukevanoort]

For the single core systems, it boils down to what you are doing, but don't forget that RAM can often make a bigger impact on performance than a minor CPU difference. That said, I'd use AMD. Intel tends to overheat more than an AMD chip will. Also, if you are a eco person AMD is even better due to slightly lower power usage. But, tell us what you do on your computer, for gaming AMD whops Intel, but multi-taskin HT often gives a benefit. But don't be fooled by HT, although it helps when using multiple different apps, it also runs some things a lot slower. As for dual versus one core, remember that you can dedicate all your background processes to one core and use the other for other things. My recommendation, for gaming either an X2 of a high end single core Athlon, word processing a lower end AMD, multitasking, sadly, Intel Pentium D HT.