[Tom Bottiglieri]

I'd go with Core 2 Duo, hands down. Its a newer technology and the current AMD chips can do nothing but play catch up. Also, the motherboard you buy for Conroe (C2D) will continue to be upgradeable.

I would type out my list of reasons, but I am in class. I own an AMD x2 system now, and I still recommend you stick with Intel.