Sorry, not enough to read all the posts. But I've always used AMD chips. Always found the Intel too expensive and would rather put money into something else then computers.
Currently just finished building a XP2500 Barton AMD chip based system on a Epox board and running at 2800 with just fan cooling.
IMHO AMD just seems to be alot more bang for your buck. And unless your doing CAD or something graphic intensive, why waste money on current generation stuff, especially for AH or AH2.
...-Gixer
~Hells Angels~