Budget Rigs for ARR - First Timer

[Aenarion]

It's not so much that nvidia are optimized for intel cpu (it doesn't really work that way), but rather that nvidia as a whole tends to have better driver support. Software optimization depends on each specific program, and there will be games that runs better on one or the other.

Personally, I place significant weight on power efficiency and thermal envelop when it comes to GPUs, so I was solidly in AMD's camp with the 5800 series when Nvidia was the powerhog, their position have since reversed, with Nvidia's 600 series being the efficient one.

Edit:

lol @ the obvious self-advertisement

An used Phenom II system with gtx460 for $900? {Thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass.}