What's more important Ram or Processor for CS5?

Considering purchasing a new computer, maybe a laptop or a desktop, my question is if I was to choose between spending money on RAM or the processor where do I get the biggest bang for the buck? I'm presently thinking I should go with a minimum of 8GB of RAM but only spend $$ for an Intel i3 or i5 processor and not go with the expensive high performance i7's. I guess a related question is whether or not 4 GB of RAM is enough and anything more is $$ wasted.

Any feedback/guidance would be much appreciated.

Not long ago I built my dream photoshop machine. In the process I did a lot of research on the best ways to increase performance. From my research and my experience since, I would say 8 gigs of ram is the minimum I would use. I think it's better to get a decent processor and have enough money left over to get a good amount of ram and the hard drives you need.

I currently have 12 gigs of ram in my Mac Pro i7. This is the perfect amount for me, allowing me to work on multiple files at the same time, and run as many applications at once as I need without filling up my ram cache. The other thing I did that really boosted my computers performance was set up a striped raid with 3 internal hard drives. This setup is perfect for photoshop, and the performance is incredible. For me, the Ram and the hard drive setup is actually more important than the processor speed, although the processor is also important.

Here is a link to my favorite site for this kind of info, it's a Mac performance site, but the information is just as useful for PCs. http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

I know CS4 loves RAM, I don't know enough about CS5 to speak on it, but I would imagine CS5 would love more RAM as well. In my opinion, if I were in your position, I would go for a minimum of 8GB, BUT, if you cant afford top end on both, personally, I would get the i7 processor, and the maximum RAM I could afford. You can always add more memory later. I also think you'll get much more bang for you buck going with a desktop system. A desktop system will also allow for individual upgrades, i.e. video card, processor, RAM, etc.
And finally, I find I reserve all of my photo editing strictly for my desktop.
Hopes my opinion helps some

Thanks much Zack and Scott. I guess this feedback begs another question, where would I look (internet, etc.) to help me purchase the best bang for the buck CS5 desktop. I did look at the link you gave me Zack and great stuff but am keeping my options open between Apple or a Win 7PC. I can certainly afford a high end system but I always believe best value purchases leads to a higher net worth in the bank (Hey, I would love to go out and buy a D3x tomorrow but my D700 does a great job and I invested in the glass first). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

I'm in the process of upgrading my pc, and when I decide on all the components I'll post them. I do know that PS, esp CS5, loves CPU power first and Ram (all you can throw at it) second. I've already decided on the i7 and an x58 mobo for LGA 1336.

Thanks much Wayne! If anyone else has recently built a PC or MAC for Cs4/5 use would like to know the system configuration decided on. I'm getting motivated to take my hobby to the next level.

Okay, Glen. Here's what I ordered for my pc upgrade.
Gigabyte GA_X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 mobo
Intel Core i7-930 cpu
G.Skill 12GB Ram DDR3 1600
nVidia Fermi GTX 470 vid card

There are other vid cards out there, but the essential components here (I think) are the 1336 socket mobo and cpu and 3 channel Ram. You might's well future proof if at all possible, and when the hex core cpu's come out they'll work on the 1336 socket, or so it is claimed.

Here's a good forum for building http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/