I'm a tech head...
Paul, it's the kind of article I've often thought about writing. I've certainly been priveleged to see enough test results, read and seen enough info, and posted enough about it all on the net over the years. I've been in a lot of discussions about this topic also.
The more I see and the more I am involved with, the longer I think the article has to be to get everything across fairly. And ultimately it comes down to a personal preference because if the user can't make it perform the rest is worth jack
Trouble is to be able to back up everything that can/should be said it would take a big article, it would also require some resources to do a definitive benchmark/study.
I do think there are differences in set ups and systems with some having advantages over others... but I'm not convinced anything is more important than the 'nut at the butt'
... apart from consistency that is...
manike