AMD used to be inferior to Intel, but not so anymore. I would say that they're evenly matched these days. Of course, I don't overclock, so I can't help you there.

I have both a computer with intel and one with AMD. I like the AMD one better even though it is slower than the Intel one. It is more of a preference than who is better.

SCREW PENTIUM!!!! unless your pockets are bulging with money, those P4s are just way to overpriced. your paying for a name, not performance.

dont get me wrong, p4s do perform, and they have their benifits, but for the same price you can get a much better AMD...(not including the AMD 64s)

they are both good processors, but one just happens to cost way to much, and again im not to partial to intel (besides the one thats in my laptop...) :-D

Lets just say if you ruin your processor somehow...it's a lot easier to replace an AMD than it is a P4...and they both perform up to par.

AMD is hotter tho...but a nice heatsink never hurt anyone!

Which AMD processor? There are several completely different types. Which Pentium? Again there are several different types.

With the current 'best of' - the Athlon64 or Athlon FX, and the Pentium 4 or Pentium 4EE, the AMD beats the Pentium equivalents for both performace and heat related issues!

I love my AMD 64 3400+ like they said, a good HS never hurt anyone. And it performs great, all the benchmarks i've seen put it at gaming better than the pentiums that cost much more. So, bang for the buck, I'd say AMD all the way. This is the 5th AMD I've built in all.

I have a 3400+ and a Pentium 4 2.8GHz.
Out of the two, I find the 3400+ to be better in all respects, and not only because it is faster.
The 3400+ runs cooler and is much better for overclocking.
It responds well to low fsb/low latency ram, which means I can keep my ram timings running tight, as opposed to the Pentium which needs high fsb to get similar results.
Admittedly, my motherboard for the Pentium isn't great, but I got the setup for free so I couldn't complain.
Pricewise, the AMD wins everytime, which leaves me more money to spend on other important gear like quality ram, psu, and a decent motherboard.

Your performance comparison there is an unfair one, szukalski. The 3400+ is a competitor to the 3.4GHz Pentium, not the 2.8Ghz model.

Yeah, I wasn't intending to imply that I was comparing the two directly. The 3400+ is going to wipe the floor with the 2.8 every time. Sorry about the ambiguity, they're just the two machines I have that are relevant to this thread.
I work with mainly Pentiums at work, and find them to be adequate machines, but at the present time, AMD are ruling the cpu roost not only in performance, but also in price. They are cheaper, overclock in better ways, and run cooler than their Intel counterparts.
Another thing to consider is that Intel can support DDR2 ram, whereas AMD are still using DDR ram. Probably not an issue, but a thought nonetheless.
For me, the biggest selling point is that the AMD64's have an onboard memory controller which means that you can run very tight ram timings (2-2-2-5) and this will show up in performance, as well as the fact that the chipset doesn't need active cooling at high fsb.

Hey

i have never owned a Pentium before, and to be honest i dont think that i ever will unless something happens to AMD, all my PC systems have AMD inside from Sempron up to Athlon 64, like others have said its a fact that AMD are cheaper than Intel and i personally reckon that u get alot more for your money with an AMD.