its always been like this. When the 386 was a 33 mhz, people were still running 8-12mhz 286s , and those were still being sold as starter systems. 8mhz is 1/4 the speed of 386 (and was effectively actually much slower). i.e. 1.2 ghz an 300mhz. And i'm sure people were running 5mhz XTs too for wordperfect back then.
I've got a 800mhz btw. Every once in a while i get this urge to buy a 1.2 ghz athlon, since its so cheap now, but I know i dont need it.