Does processor brand matter?

To a great extent it is just brands. However, the build quality is, in my opinion, greater in a Intel processor. I've used both and this was my observations. Both were similar prices and both were made around the same time.

Intel is better. I really don't like AMD. XP should run fast with 1 GB of RAM, but on my moma's computer with an AMD processor, it really stunk. XD

Also, my friend got a new Windows 7 desktop computer a while back. Sometimes he'll go to sleep and leave it in sleep mode, with nothing running, and it will get random BSODs, and he had an AMD processor. He had an AMD processor, a sweet graphics card, and 4GB of RAM.

Now, as for me, I have a Windows 7 laptop with an Intel i5, 4GB of RAM, and an intel graphics processor (Intel Graphics overheat a lot, so the fan drives me crazy -_-) and the only times I EVER get BSOD's is when I overload the RAM or I completely crashed my computer (Which I've done like 2 or 3 times XD)

Since they are manufacturers with different technologies that share licenses with each other some people are under the impression they are the same, that the only differences are branding and pricing. In reality they are similar but still very different. In terms of compatibility both are rather equal. In terms of shear power the Intel cpus are far superior to the AMD cpus. In the pricing wars, AMD's lower pricing gives gives them a slight (shrinking) edge. In the end, you get what you can afford.

AMD has for most part been known as a budget brand for CPUs where Intel is more expensive but naturally the quality of the CPUs from them are of much higher. I have also found based on my own testing, that Intel CPUs to be more stable under load and under increased clocks than other AMD chips.

If you have the extra money I would go for an i5 or i7, based on your usage, which should give you plenty of power to suit general office use for a few years to come as well as plenty of headroom to play most of the more demanding games(coupled with a decent video card) currently out.

It all boils down to how you want to use your computer. Why would you get an i7 or a Phenom Quad Core if you only need your desktop for browsing the web, documents and stuff. I have used intels and AMDs before and I prefer the AMD brand. I never had any problems with it since the 486DX version came out :) There was the time when heat was an issue but Intel had a far worse heat problem when it was their time. So I guess, think about how you are going to use your computer and read the reviews. Then decide which to buy. :)