AMD vs Intel Processors

I know this has the potential to turn into a flame war, but I'm not here to simply ask which is better.

I'm interested in building a new computer and considering trying different processors.  I'm pretty much an Intel person, but thinking about AMD.  My main question though is relating to the operating frequency (GHz)

Right now, I have an Intel Pentium 4 that is 3.0 GHz.  Looking at a comparable AMD chip is, for example, only like 1.8 - 2.+ GHz.  Now to me, this seems like a step back.  Isn't the higher frequency (GHz) more desireable?  How could an AMD possibly be faster?

You see, as >>2 mentionned between the lines, Gigahertz are only measuring cycles per second, and not OPERATIONS per second. That last factor is influenced by many more factors, relative to the quality of the processor chip itself, and not its frequency or frontside bus.

Let's analyze the difference between the two top-notch processors at the moment :

-AMD Athlon 64 FX-60, Dual Core, 2.6GHz, 2000MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache
-Intel Pentium EX 840, Dual Core, 3,2GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache

This means the AMD processor goes through 2,6 billion cycles every second, while the Intel processor can go through 3,2 billion cycles per second.

However, if you look at the Frontside Bus speeds, AMD's Frontside Bus is much, much faster. This means the AMD processor can communicate faster with other components in your computer, like RAM.

Quick conclusion : they say AMD is for gaming and Intel for workstations, and it's true. While a workstation doesn't need constant communication with the memory, as with games, it does need to go through as much cycles per second as possible, to do more work. On the other side, AMD processors have faster communication with other components, which is useful in games, but less so in workstations, since once your work application is loaded, it's loaded. There are fewer data exchanges with the system memory when working than when gaming.

There are other factors, but quickly considered, this is the result. I believe there are other internal factors which makes AMD processors a much more powerful alternative, but I'm getting a little lost, so I'll let someone else continue, or I'll continue later.

AMD for gaming, Intel for workstations, I believe.... Don't go thinking that Intel made its cash on gamers!