stormrider is correct, you just need to look at the performance specs for the individual programs you're looking to use. Generally the more cores you have the better, even if per core speed is slower, if you're going to do anything that maxes out how many cores are in use. AMD doesn't have locked versions of their modern cpus, so in this case either option will be overclockable. Speaking of overclocking, overclock.net has a community of ultra-nerds and many of them test the hell out of everything, especially cpus/gpus. Personally I'd go AMD, but it's your call and there are a lot of factors involved. Raw core speed's biggest advantage is usually when you're looking to get the most FPS possible in games.