After looking closely... the dual core 27 requires $150 just to get the same card as the quad 27. Pricing the processors out shows that the i7 they chose is on parity with the 3.33 which cost $200 on the base model.
So the issue is..
C2D 3.33 cost 1699 + 150 (vc) + 200 (3.33) = 2049
i5 = 1999
or +150 more than max C2D system for i7
Annoying is what this is. I still get the feeling that E8600 (isn't that what the 3.33 is? is not up to part even with the i5)
Yet finding benchmarks that prove it isn't as easy I would hope
So the issue is..
C2D 3.33 cost 1699 + 150 (vc) + 200 (3.33) = 2049
i5 = 1999
or +150 more than max C2D system for i7
Annoying is what this is. I still get the feeling that E8600 (isn't that what the 3.33 is? is not up to part even with the i5)
Yet finding benchmarks that prove it isn't as easy I would hope