Like i mentioned Rendering is CPU dependant. Maybe out source to states and get it shipped??
Below you can see the differencebetween cores for 3DS Max i use Alias so might be slighty different and for Hypershot which is really load intensive the difference will be larger.
Another comparison table here may help you. You shouldn't discount AMD so quickly.
Charts, benchmarks Desktop CPU Charts Q3/2008, Cinema 4D Release 10