AMD vs Intel. Which one is right for you?

[Ashton]

If your contemplating purchasing a new computer, then you have a heap of decisions to make. One of probably the most important, and probably the most confusing for the average PC user, is what brand of CPU to specify. Most of the CPUs which are in our computers nowadays are manufactured and designed by two of the largest silicon chip and microprocessor manufacturers in the world, Intel and AMD. Intel, the most popular and common CPU maker on the desktop machine, are well known for the Pentium family of processors, and the "Conroe" processor series, namely the Core 2 Duo CPUs, as well as the newly introduced "Kentsfield" family. AMD, a popular choice amongst enthusiasts, however less common on the average home computer, are best known for the Athlon family of processors, such as the Athlon, Athlon XP, Athlon64, Athlon64 X2 and the Athlon64 FX, as well as the newly introduces Phenom lineup.

Choosing a CPU largely depends on your budget, and what you are intending to do with your computer. For home use, for tasks like Internet, email and school work, either manufacturer will be fine, and will mostly depend on your budget. For more strenuous task such as gaming, the most suitable CPU will be whatever family which provides the most performance. Currently, Intel's Core 2 family is the bees-knees for gaming. It is advised that you do some searching around on the internet to determine which processor is right for you. Always remember to take a look at Tom's Hardware Guide for some good reviews.