[Zachery]

Xeons, with HT are _not_ dual core processors and will _not_ preform better than a 4 core system (dual dual core opterons).

A dual xeon system with HT has 2 real and 2 virtual processors. A dual dual opteron system will have 4 real processors.

4 real processors will almost always be better when compared to 2 real and 2 virtual processors.

do you want 4 horses pulling your wagon?

At the current time even dual dual core xeons are not quiet stacking up to their amd counterparts, however Intels new chip line may prove otherwise, however I expect to see new AMD chips in the near future as well.