Quote - Interesting, Kawecki,  as I'm contemplating building a new machine this Fall.  Is the difference because Intel does 64-bit better, or because AMD does 32-bit better?

It is very difficult to say which is better in 64 bits, Intel and AMD have taken a different approach, in some features one is better in other features the other is better and it also depend on the CPU version.

The problem is the competition, AMD and Intel refuse to follow the path of the other and who pay the fight are we. Intel introduced the MMX extensions in its Pentium and some time later AMD created its K6 with MMX and 3dNow  that would be very useful, but Intel refused to do what AMD did and never did the 3dNow extension. Some time later introduced with Pentium III the SSE instructions, that were nothing more than a better 3dNow instruction, but not compatible. Only later AMD introduced SSE with Athlon, then came SSE2, SSE3, SSE4 changed to SSSE3, SSE4a, SEE4,1 and all a mess. Today what is common to both is SSE, SSE2 and SSE3, the other are not compatible and so, a programmer cannot use them unless he want to make his software run only in Intel or make two versions of the software.

AMD was the first to introduce the 64 bit CPU and won the 64 bit battle, Intel was forced to use the AMD 64 bit instructions, but refused to do it in the same way as AMD did, the consequence was the poor performance running 32 bit code and the need to have two different versions of Windows, one for AMd64 and one for Intel64, probably your Windows CD have both Windows, if not you must have the right Window for your processor, if not it will not install. (My XP64 is only AMD)

AMD has a long tradition of making memories, processors, integrated circuits. Intel has a long CPU tradition. The problem with Intel is that always wanted to impose the standarts and be the one that set the rules. Intel ignored the PC. Intel always tried to dominate the microprocessor market dedicated to industrial applications and negelcted the PC that was the most important consumer of their products. Intel lost the war to Motorola and was forced to turn to the only market that had, the PC. Only then created the first decent CPU for the PC, the 386, before this the PC was a mess. For some time had the monopoly of the PC market until appeared competitors. Intel won the battle until entered the scenario AMD and all has changed.

Both AMD and Intel are making good CPUs, but are different and following a different path. AMD is now associated with ATI or ATI is making part of AMD so, the integration of CPU with GPU is very near, Intel seems to be fighting a lost war.

Stupidity also evolves!