ok when you mention overclocking: you can take the E6400 to 3GHz with stock cooler and slight voltage bump which is faster than the X6800. This overclocked E6400 for ~$200 can out perform that $1000 Intel cpu at stock speeds. So when you look at an overclocked AMD versus any overclocked Core2, AMD is still left in the dust somewhere close to the start line.
So then the question remains, $350 setup for top tier performance (Core2) or $350 for performance equal to the stock E6400 (OC'd AMD)???

The latest kernels including the Edgy Eft Ubuntu 6.10 (latest stable kernel is 2.6.17-10.33) can handle and should not have any problems with any current Core2 or related hardware. If it does then step up to the unstable or testing and you should find enough stability for current but temporary usage. They have been out long enough and I am sure it would be easy enough to find the latest SMP kernel that will give you excellent performance with the latest Core2s (at 15-60% better performance of any AMD).

Check performance info for these CPUs here at Anandtech
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2802&p=1

Intels are not friendly overclockers. Their power requirements and inefficiency (amount of heat they give off) mean that even a little overclocking (and even with large aftermarket heatsinks) results in cooked processors or processors that won't properly even issue a post screen.

When you are talking about Pentium 3s, 4s and PentiumDs then yes, they are super hot 130W+ space heaters. These new Core2Duos have seen 40%+ overclocks stable on stock air cooler. This means an E6400 can hit 3GHz without a problem and very minor voltage bump. This has been proven since their release. Water cooling has kicked an E6300 to 4GHz stable.
This is a brand new generation of Intels, not like any previous release. Time to do some reading Mr Hemi Cuda.

Google search

We're not comparing the Conroe core to, say, the K5 or K6 processor. We are comparing the best of AMD to the best of Intel, and by that measure, it is most certainly a fair and valid comparison. I fully expect AMD to leapfrog Intel in a matter of six months to a year, and by then we will be comparing AMD's best of breed to Intel's best of breed. By then, Intel's technology will be six months to a year old (in terms of RTM time). Does this invalidate the comparison? Does this mean I should, as a customer, not compare both options and decide which is the best choice? Don't be foolish! You look at all the options and compare them, and based on your criteria make your decision.

Beware of ASUS + AM2 + Linux compatibility problems, discussed in another thread (how can I link there ). I am a victim too, stuck with ASUS M2N-SLI + AMD 64 X2 AM2, trying to install SuSE 10...

You have to have atleast 5 posts to post links. Its to keep spammers off of the boards.

... why not just go with an Opteron? price points are more on par.


... ya, i found out the hard way lastnight that i'm somewhat out of the techie-loops. my buddy called me asking a similar question to what was posed in this thread. he's an engineer with a data storage solutions company (that uses a lot of embedded processor gear for building large systems to support gobs and gobs of drives). I left the conversation feeling, "hmm, i should really do some reading".

in the end i went for a AMD x2 4600+

the big thing to point out here that hasent been discussed is that the AMD X2 is 64-bit where the Core2Duo is still 32bit only.
that was what swung it in the end

dasy2k1, good choice! I would of went AMD as well. Using 64 bit is nice, especially now that both AMD and Intel are going 64. A lot of programs and such are in the process of migration now seeing that the end is approaching for 32bit.

Then how is it that I am running Gentoo 64 Bit on my Core 2 Duo?

Yeah, the Conroe and the Merom are 64 Bit also. Someone lied to you. The older Core Duo is 32 bit only, but the Core 2 Duos are 64 bit.

wow someone visited to many anti-Intel sites. All currently available Intel CPUs unless otherwise stated in the specs (such as SOME Core Duos, not to be confused with Core2Duo) are all 64-bit. The Core2Duos ARE 64-bit.

My PC rocks!!