> If you do any compiling, I would recommend at least a Core 2 Quad. I would stick with > Intel for MAME at this time. If you can get an i7, I would go for that. I don't think > AMDs run super hot like they used to. Of course you will want good cooling on > whatever you get.
If you're doing compiling I recommend an AMD Phenom II x6. For compiling, the extra cores are perfectly utilized and you get a linear speedup with the number of cores. You can't compile faster for less money than you can with a 6 core processor like the Phenom II x6.
I would not be surprised if some Intel quad cores can match the AMD 6 cores in compiling, but the Intel quad core would not be in the same price bracket as the AMD. So once again, if you're compiling, you get your best bang-for-the-buck with a Phenom II x6.
For MAME runtime though, you'll do best with high IPC per core, and AMD can't touch Intel there at anything other than low end price ranges.
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