Depends which AMD CPU you are going for.

I have been thinking about the AMD/Pentium debate recently mainly because of FS2004.

It is common knowledge that AMD64 based rigs are better for gameing on whereas Pentiums are better for desktop applications etc.

Now what has got me thinking is would FS2004 run better on a pentium? I know its a game, but is it? I mean it has to do a lot of calculating etc and I am now thinking that maybe a Pentium would run FS2004 better than an AMD.

I have no proof though and its just a thought. If your into gaming AMD64 if not Pentium basically.  I think the new PCIe boards are appearing now, or soon, so it may be worth waiting a little longer to get one of those! I dont know to much about them though so cannot reccommend anything at this point in time.

I've used the three major manufactuers of CPUs. I'd probably rank them AMD, Apple, Intel. Intel at the bottom because they don't have a 64-bit CPU yet. Apple is nice because they have dual CPU 64-bit systems. They're very expensive though.

The general rule is AMD is for gamming, Apple for industrial graphics, Intel for general use and internet applications.

I had an AMD CPU in my last computer - It never worked! I chucked it way before it was due to be replaced simply for that reason - couldn't do a thing without it crashing, freezing & restarting. No matter what OS I installed..... 

The reason I went for intel and ATi in my new PC was mainly to be the exact opposite to that PC. My current computer - P4c 3.2Ghz, P4C800 Deluxe, ATi 9800XT, 1024Mb Corsair RAM has never crashed, handles everything I chuck at it and looks beautiful. Even CFS3 runs very well! Its just had its first birthday 8) (I gave it its first clean, took everything apart and removed all the dust! I then did a complete reformat and now have it dual booted with two XP installations, one for games with pretty much everything disabled and the other for everything else!)

Whether or not it is the fastest available doesn't bother me - It works! And Believe me a working computer is a joy to behold! And just the other day I was flying VFR round Jersey in my favorite Beechraft bonanza in VC mode at high settings, cool water textures doing there stuff at 30fps - it doesn't get much better than that!

I attribute its stability to Hyperthreading, no doutb I shall be shouted at for going along with the Intel marketing dribble

Birdman.

AMD64's have Hyper Thread Technology now too Birdman.  There is no estimated speed used though, my AMD64 3500 is 2200GHz standard and thats what it is.  The problem is comparing it to Pentiums.  A lower speed AMD CPU works as fast as a higer speed Pentium thats where people try to compare.

Must say my AMD64 3500+ runs super dooper smooth and stable with XP pro on my setup.  Oddly enough I get really good FPS everywhere bar the megga busy airports where you need a dam super computer to get it to run smooth!

Overall I am very impressed with my current rig.  As for other games, well I play Call Of Duty at 1600x1200 2xAA 16xAF and everything maxxed and it runs great, though my g/card helps out a lot here.

No fire here HEHEHEHE.

As you said both have strenghts and weeknesses.  I just go with what I can afford and value/performance value.

AMD and Intel both produce very powerful CPU products.

Either one of those CPU types can be crippled by every other choice you make in your PC build.

The first choice you need to make is what chipset you plan on basing your system on....... i.e. your motherboard.

The Chipset (motherboard) you decide to purchase, (based on consumer needs and fancy features) will dictate which CPU you MUST use.

Most people wouldn't know a chipset if it bit them on the bum, but it is the overall limiting factor of any PC.

Chipsets are developed to provide features and performance. Some people go for the features, the flying fans, gamers or enthusiasts should make a choice based on potential performance.

Chipsets are what advances PC technologies right along with CPU development. There is no such thing as a "good old chipset". The latest ones are generally state of the art.

Most people are actually buying old chipsets, unknown to them. And perhaps this is why few of the retailers are keen to inform you of these few facts.

Careful research or informed advice are your only guarantees of success.

Good Luck