I don't think it matters how fast a CPU is. it's not about megahertz any more(hasn't been for a while now), but about how much work can be accomplished in each clock cycle. AMD and macintosh processors are more efficient than intel, so get more work done per clock cycle. that's why a 1.5ghz AMD XP(1800+) does almost the same amount of work as a P4 2.0 Ghz. on CRT vs LCD, I would say CRT's are better on the wallet and on picture quality. I have two 17" CRTs and they both work great, as comapred to what I've seen for LCDs in stores. as for apps used, I use bryce for scene composition, and for most of my work, I use 3DS MAX for some modelling, and Photoshop mainly for converting from a bitmap to a jpeg(you get no artifacts this way).