Where are you seeing the packet loss? Can you post a picture (or send it to me via email)?

I think, in general, that a 2.4 ghz machine will probably have at most a very small advantage in download speed if that's the only difference. It's likely that there are other variables, though - though; Similar RAM? Same operating system? Same network settings? Same Network card? Same network cable? Same router on the other end of the network cable? Same network subnet?

There are a huge number of variables here that I think have the opportunity to affect the download speed far more than processor speed. Note that my opinion here is antecdotal, though, and I haven't personally run tests to say what affects processor speed has on download speed.

I need more data before I feel comfortable speculating on issues at play here.

- Pete