Leopard on an eMac - 1GHz or 1.25GHz?

I am in a dilemna at the moment. I just secured an eMac 1GHz for $200 with 512MB RAM, a SuperDrive and a 7500 Graphics Processor. However, I have a couple of gripes that I wanted to find out.

How will performance compare to the 1.25GHz model?

1) The Front Side Bus of the 1GHz is 33MHz slower than the 1.25GHz
2) There is half the cache on the 1GHz model c.f 1.25GHz
3) The 1.25 model has a Radeon 9200 which is faster I believe than the 7500
4) The 1.25 model uses DDR RAM and USB 2.0 (SD-RAM and USB 1 on 1GHZ)

So there are plenty of features which suggest I should go for the 1.25. HOWEVER, the 1.25 doesn't have a SuperDrive and neither does my MacBook. So...my question is..is the 1.25 worth the extra few bucks for the performance boost and sacrifice of the SuperDrive or will the performance boost not be noticable enough to stick to my original model choice.

(both have 40GB Hard Drive, probably 5200rpm)

Thanks

gr8tfly said:

I would think the 1.25 would have the edge. You can get an external SuperDrive, if necessary.

In either case, you will want more than 512MB RAM. Earlier today, I was working with a 1GHz iMac and there were some noticeable slowdowns (Page ins/outs were almost at 1:1). Can't say that it was any worse than Tiger though (it's a family member's machine in another town, so I haven't hat a lot of time on it).

Click to expand...

OK. So go for the 1.25 w/ 1.25GB RAM probs (as I think its 2x256 I can get 1GB stick and replace 1 of them)...

Any ideas about how the 7500/9200 fairs with Leopard. I know CoreImage isnt supported... so no ripple or translucent bars..