I am planning on getting a new HP Pavilion dv9700 Notebook PC. Should I go for the 2.5GHz or upgrade to 2.6GHz for $300?!??!
I am not sure if I really need it, but I feel as if I am not getting the best possible in my budget. If I take the 2.5GHz, I can by about $300 worth of accessories that I really like and need.

Any advice? Thanks.

You have not provided enough information. According to HP here, the dv9700 comes with a 2.4GHz T7700 Core 2 Duo CPU - not a 2.5GHz or 2.6GHz something. What specific CPUs are you talking about?

Note that CPU processor speed is just one specification of a CPU that helps a user determine C:U and over all computer performance expectations. A faster clock speed alone is NOT an automatic indicator of better performance. Number of cores and cache sizes are also key factors for the CPU.

I also note that many upgrade options do not include just a higher clock speed CPU, but may also come with more or faster RAM, better graphics, etc. So it is necessary to know exactly what the differences include for the whole computer - not just the CPU - between the purchase options available.

Sorry about the deficiency of information. Arsenal of info away...

The full information about my customized computer is here:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...29_emailconfig

Or copy and paste:
shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/load_configuration.do?destination=review&email_id= 306397&jumpid=in_r329_emailconfig

The only change is that if I go for the 2.6GHz, some accessories are going to be dumped, not much in the computer itself. The current config is what I will get if I choose the 2.5. That is what I might go for if the 2.6 won't make much of a difference since the accessories are very nice and possibly important.

I just don't see that much extra money for so little gains as being worth it. It might be different if they used different architectures, but they don't.

Ok, thanks. Now I had the idea of getting one SSD drive for this computer for the core components and my speed-critical software and files on and use the included hard drive for my other not so speed critical data. Would this be easy to set up? And, if I buy a single hard drive, do you know if it will include a HDD caddy? I am going for the least amount of storage possible for Vista to run. Is 8GB enough for that?

SSD technology is still young, and expensive.

8Gb for what? To install Windows Vista? Google is your friend - enter vista hardware requirements

And, if I buy a single hard drive, do you know if it will include a HDD caddy?

Caddy for what? Caddies are for swapping drives in and out of a drive enclosure (if external) or a drive bay made for quick removal of drives in a PC. Most HDs come with 4 screws and that's it - maybe a data cable.