That's a handy cache size. A Sandy Bridge EP-8 has a cache of 20MB, so I think I'd be quite disturbed if I just bought a Core i7 power rig. :-/
The gent's model cannot boot 9.2.2. The last iMacs to boot OS 9 were the G4 800MHz 15 and 17" models (excluding the 800MHz OS X only model).you could always put os9.22 on it, she'll run gooooood!