I guess 25 buckaroos is more in your book than it is in mine--besides, I mentioned he could just stick with the one he picked out anyways.
And about the whole cache thing...yes, I know what it does...but why limit yourself anyways? If you can get a 32mb and fall within the price range, why wouldn't you.
You didn't really aid in answering any of the real questions I posed...but whatever, I guess. Just trying to help him get a little better performance for his money--that's what the forum's for.