Budget PC: Intel e5200 or AMD 5400+

both chips are similar in performance. However the e5200 is better at over clocking and has a higher l2 cache. Also the 5400 is still 65nm tech. so its older. It really depends the e5200 hundred in missing some features . it is missing visualization technology i dont know if you were looking at that and also it has like a limiter so that you can only over clock to around roughly 300 fsb regardless of MB or memory. However the e5200 is still a little bit better than the 5400+ overall.

Actually I think the E5200 has virtualization, unless Newegg got their specs wrong: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Anyhow, I'd agree with Sable, the E5200 is better, in terms of overall performance I'd say it'd be around 10 - 15% quicker, but the gap grows if you overclock.

the e5200 is a better choice if OCing, but newegg has a crazy combo deal with the 5400 BE...get an antec sonata with a 500w psu and get a 5400BE for free...pretty hard to beat...

It is a sweet combo.
I would get the combo and just sell the 5400BE on CraigsList or Ebay :>