AMD hasn't even come CLOSE to matching Intel.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2570.html
Page 6:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2570-6.html
Where we start getting into the mid-range CPU's, we see the i5-750 as the clear pick. I like this quote:
Quote:
The new Core i5 brings top-of-the-line Nehalem-class performance at a $200 price point. We recently awarded it our Recommended Buy honor after seeing it stand up to more expensive CPUs in games and other demanding apps.
For those desiring the best possible performance, the Core i5-750 can be overclocked to great effect, performing similarly to the $1,000 Core i7-975 Extreme at its stock settings when pushed a bit.
There isn't an AMD CPU past that point in the review. Because they don't make anything that touches i7.
Their heirachy chart on page 7:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2570-7.html
Rounds it off nicely. The entire top segment is Intel CPU's:
Core i7-965, -975 Extreme
Core i7-860, -870, -920, -930, -940, -950
Core i5-750
Core 2 Extreme QX9775, QX9770, QX9650
Core 2 Quad Q9650
With no AMD CPU's that are comparable.
In the next segment down:
Core 2 Extreme QX6850, QX6800
Core 2 Quad Q9550, Q9450, Q9400
Core i5-650, -660, -661, -670
and two AMD CPU's: Phenom II X4 Black Edition 955, 965
AMD hasn't matched anything.
They have however, been doing a great job with ATI! I love my 5870!