AM2 or dual core
 

This is probably a little early to be asking this question since I'm still a few months away at the very least to be building a new computer but I thought I'd go ahead and ask it.

When I start really looking should I think about getting an amd am2 or a dual core processor?

Brand does not matter to me as I have both and can't really tell a difference between the two. Even though my amd is only 1.8ghz while my P4 is at 2.4ghz.

I do some light gaming (any of the need for speed series mainly) and then lot's photo editing (photoshop cs2).

Just looking for some support as why one would be better than the other.

Choose the 1 with 64-bit support if you plan to keep it for the next few years...

i've got a dual core extreme machine coming later this week, so I will let ya know!

I think I'll be going this route. Might be a faster cpu when the time comes though:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor - Retail