Both Intel and AMD are good for the EDA. I think that the performance of Intel core 2 dual is better than AMD. Choose SUSE or Red Hat Linux 64 bit version
WHich ever the EDA tool you want to use , open the datasheet of the tool , at the end of the datasheet will have these details to choose for the platform support. It depends on the need and the usage.
u can use debian linux 3.1 sarge for EDA tools Built in other wise u can go for the image aviable as i remembered i downloaded throgh google search use key word eda tools for linux