PC CPU vs. Workstation CPU

basically the only difference is the quality control checks they go through with the workstation chips being subjected to more stringent controls. this means that (hopefully) they will perform longer and with better reliability. That being said, they usually cost more because they are supposed to be more stable.

The main difference is in the chipsets on the boards that run said processors.

Of course a dual-core Opteron 100 series (s939 or s940) or Pentium D 900 series would be suitable for your needs.

The nForce Pro 2200 series is often used on AMD workstation/server class mainboards:
http://www.nvidia.com/page/nforce_pro.html

The Intel website lists common Intel Desktop chipsets, and further down the page, their workstation chipsets:
http://www.intel.com/products/chip [...] t_Chipsets

The processors are very similar, no real differences between them. (Socket, power usage, L2/L3 cache sizes, and number and speed of buses / links only). Same instruction sets, very similar cores across Intel and AMD desktop and server processors.

http://www.intel.com/products/proc [...] oduct_Proc

http://www.amdcompare.com/