I've always considered those synthetic benchmarks a ripoff,
reducing a s*hitload of variables to a single number is , to simply put it, stupid (imho).
anyway, i'm the type that doesn't buy top end stuff, for two reasons,
- doesnt strike as useful to buy something 40% more expensive for 5% performance increase (or less, if any).
- limit of 250$ to any given hardware component. except monitors.
bling factor out the window.
anyway, I change hardware not based on the state of the art xpto game that came out (ex Doom3), but my ability to play it resonably (which, with my 3200+ with a 9700, i do). neither a new card each month to gain 10 or less fps on any given game. my cash flow has other priorities.
edit:
http://www.overclockers.com/tips00879/