[quote name='msdmoney'][quote name='mombbsmj']I've had Intel and AMD and like both. The only thing with the AMD is that it runs VERY hot compared to the Intel. Right now I personally would go with the Intel and hyper-threading and then the AMD 64 when more things come out to support it.[/quote]
This was true of the old Athlons compared to the P4 Northwood core. But now with the Athlon 64 the opposite is true. The new P4 core Prescott has been dubbed "Presshot" by most of the press because of the ridiculous heat problems. Currently I would go for an Athlon 64 number 1, and the a P4 Northwood second. You can tell between a Northwood and Prescott because they have a different letter after the processor, ie. 2.8E=prescott whereas 2.8c=Northwood. Make sure you get a Northwood.
Both processors are good, and both have their strong and weak points. Hyperthreading doesn't automatically make the P4 a better chip, just as 64 bits doesn't necessarily make the Athlon 64 a better chip. The Athlon is typically better with gaming, but you might want to check out some review sites like anandtech.com to check some benchmarks that compare the chips.
Your mom is making you get Intel, may I ask why? Is it just because she sees more intel marketing?[/quote]
Ok, heres the story. My grandpa gave me 600 dollars to buy a PC. We looked, and I found a SCREAMIN' deal on an Athlon 3000+, but then all of a sudden her client (shes a hair stylist) who owns a refurb Dell store says he can give me the same computer for waaay less. Well, Dells only use Pentiums. And I said, "Well, grandpa gave me this money for me to use, and I found a good deal on what I want, so why can't I get it?". Response: "Because I get to keep the leftover money." So basicly I'm

ed because my mom is a greedy bitch. Lovely.