External Hardware effects VS plugin RTAS effects

[boogiewoogie]

I'm running on WinXP, 1.8Ghz, Pent 4 with 512 DRAM and Protools LE 5.3.1 with a Digi 001. I only have the Audiosuite package of plugins that came with PT's, so my only reverb option is D-Verb. However my Lexicon MPX500 kicks a** over D-Verb and I'm really attached to my Lexicon just because.

So I'm wondering should I bother trying to add RTAS plugs for my reverbs, chorus and other effects I have in my Lexicon. I deal with Latency problems mixing in the Lexicon and have to record the Lexicon effect to a track before I do a final mix in order to not have a pre-delay effect.

Also in general I'm wondering about other types of plugin's and would enjoy hearing any comments about external devices compared to there plugin equivilant.
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