I have run Cyrix, AMD, and Intel. The ONLY on I ever had trouble with was the AMD, and that was from (as you mentioned) excess heat. It became unstable as it heated up and my computer would go to the blue screen (NT's kiss of death). I used a pizo chiller WITH a fan to keep it stable. AMD passed Intel in chip sales sometime back so they are the leader, but Cyrix and Intel have done a good job for me. Intel in Laptop, Cyrix in Desktop now. Intel is still proud $$ of their chip. AMD most over clockable.

Is 400mghz the highest bus right now? And What type of memory is the best now? I am seeing a lot of new abbreviations. Plus it looks like I am destin to lose my scanner as I have an ISA SCSI card, none of the new MB's have ISA slots any more. AND what is a CNR and ANR slot? (little short slot)