I've always seen AMD generating lesser heat over its Intel equivalents. My desktop back home was an Intel 2.8GHz proc. It used to get so hot that fans would go off like a helicopter. Coupled with that the metal whining sound due to the flow of 5 fans in the system. It did help me drown other sounds during sleep though.

.. I use a AMD 64 bit proc. currently, and it has had no problems whatsover. It runs a lot cooler, and thus is silent.