AMD now makes quality stuff. Much better than the generation from your computers time. I am guessing that when you upgrade, you'll probably need to upgrade you ram and power supply, and possibly the case, regardless of AMD or Intel. Intel, makes quality stuff too, I think. At least that's what I've been told. I have never tried it so I don't really know. To help you decide, check out this news item and thread: Link.

A good place to get estimates of prices could be: www.pricewatch.com/.

Is your computer a name brand, white box, or build-it-yourselfer?