XPS Gen3 System Replacement

I don't know if this is the right place but I have a question that I was hoping someone could assist me with.  For several months I have been having problems with my XPS Gen3.  After numerous emails to Dell and several service calls it still has the same problem.  Today, I was told that a system replacement would be the next step and they are currently setting it up.  I was told that the replacement would be equal or better to what I had.  At one point, the person that assisted me said that it might be replaced with a 410.  Has anybody ever had a system replaced and if so what should I expect?  I am worrying that certain features might be of lesser quality.  I have a 3.4Ghz Extreme Edition in my Gen3...  Is it possible that the CPU in a replacement could be slower or is more likely that it will be faster?  (given that this chip is almost 3 years old..)  Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.  I don't know if I should be relieved that the problems will finally be fixed or worried that I may get something that I am unhappy with.  They could not tell me what the exact specs would be and I just thought I would check to see if anybody else has had to go through one of these.  Thanks.