Hardware, capacity and performance

I have just been given the last-minute task (ugh) of
getting some general information on how webservers perform
in high-traffic situations with a fair amount of
CGI and database interaction (we're tryin to pick hardware :)

If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could some of you
who handle high-traffic servers tell me how your hardware
and traffic effect your percentage of capacity?


i.e.
> WinNT, IIS, Quad Intel 500s, 1 Gig RAM
> SQL Server (separate box)
> 450,000 hits/day
> %40 Avg. Capacity
> Probable Weak Link = Network Speed (100Mb)


Or point me in the right direction to find 
this type of information?

I would be incredibly grateful,
_Ken Creason
webmaster(at)fcs.net

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