Depends upon the user. Many of my Linux programs make full use of multiple cores. My current desktop flies. (I7)
I hope that AMD can keep up with, and even threaten Intel, because competition is what makes things better for all of us. Everyone benefits, regardless of what you end up using.
I agree, and AMD allowed me to make a HTPC for at least $200 dollars less, that was all I needed for HDMI output multimedia and light gaming.