I started out using AMD parts as it was cheaper, they worked alright, but to me the are unstable, RMAed one Phenom II CPU as it went unstable and started failing stress tests. Then upgraded to a Phenom II x6 CPU and I was not impressed, again unstable. I went looking into what Intel had to offer and I saw Sandy Bridge. I am still currently running my Intel setup with no issues, and I definitely get better performance then with AMD. I do not plan to return to AMD even tho yes they are cheaper but you get what you pay for and Intel is def worth saving for! Remember, when looking at AMD Bulldozer, they are not "technically" true eight core CPUs. They have eight physically cores yes but they 2 cores share resources together (FPUs, ALUs etc) so really its one unit. 4 of these units then gives you a Quad Core CPU. This does apply to their 6 core and quad core CPUs as well.
Also, if you go Intel choose a motherboard from Asus. I have one issue with my P8P67 Evo mobo, and just one repair on a older mobo (AMD based mobo). Their support treated me well, and it was a painless fast repair. So their support is amazing!
Bottom Line, AMD is good and will get the job done, but Intel is better if you have the cash for it.
