thing is... everyone says AMD for Gaming, Intel for Apps.... I switched from Intel to AMD about 5 years ago and havent looked back since, I do a lot of programming (web based Html, css (use notepad (no real processing power needed) and Visual Studio .Net) and I also do a hell of a lot of Graphics work using Photoshop CS and PSP 9.0 (all of this using an AMD Athlon XP1900+) without any problems... I have now just purchased an Athlon 64, compatible mobo and gfx card... I do not have to have the best system avail... so have gone for a 3200+ 64 and a 6600GT gfx card... and considering the only thing my current system has a problem with is games, I know I will be fine with my new set up... the fact that people say Intel are better at apps is irrelevant... as they run on even old systems (like mine)... so IMO go for a cheaper AMD system and you shall no probs with games or apps!!!