Updating the 'puter for hardcore ownage

[kandrathe]

But the Black Edition AMD models are a LOT more expensive than the Intel E8400 I chose. Why should I care about a $20 per year savings on the electric bill when the processor is $100 more expensive?

I think this is a case of comparing apples to apples, and then looking at oranges against oranges. Did you read below where I had said, "The AMD Phenom 9850 BLACK EDITION 2.5GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HD985ZXAGHBOX - Retail sells for $235."? My scan of the Intel E8400 is that it costs about $195. I still think AMD measures up well on many benchmarks as well as the Intel Core 2 Extreme which retails for $1000 to $1600. So comparing the Phenom 9850 BE against similiar CPU Intel Core 2 Extreme shows AMD to be much cheaper, and comparing these Intel versus Phenom 9850/9900 BE in power consumption show that these newer BE lines are comparable to Intel to operate. On the high end of the market, Intel does have the edge, but the prices are too high for me to go there.

Here is an article testing the 9850BE, Sharky Extreme -- AMD Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition Review.