Actually, Intel's architecture is still more efficient. And Intel's architecture is still more overclockable, with a Q6600 reaching 4GHz easily (it's REALLY easy. I guess... just not so many people dare try). And a Q6600 at 2.4GHz murders the same Phenom running at 2.8GHz in some cases.
I know there's an infraction of price over there in the UK, and I'm really sorry about it, but... there's just so many things we can do about prices. Here, I can get a Q9450 for the same price you get that 9850 BE, and I can guarantee you that there's no way in hell you can catch up to the Q9450 with a Phenom.
So... AMD is nowhere back in the CPU race... sorry about that.
__________________
cChip interpreter WIP - current status: Release Candidate
LRx Filter RC - current performance rating: 9/10