Slow machine vs. Fast machine - Advantage in Network games?

[Nightmare]

Hello,
sorry if this is the wrong forum
The main problem is this:
I now play Command & Conquer - Tiberium Wars.
The game runs perfectly.
But on some places, especially with much graphics, the game becomes slower.
And if you build something, which normally would take 10 sec, it takes more than 13.
My friend has this problem too, but much harder.
Maybe his delay is much bigger than mines.
This also must mean that the whole moving is slower.
I test another thing:
I built something (while I was in my base) and looked at the progress bar.
Then I scrolled to a place with less graphics.
The progress bar became faster!
And the building was quicker (as it should).
When I have some tanks/guys etc. their movement is faster.

The question is:
What if I would play versus/against my friend?
My machine handles everything faster than his machine.
Would I be always faster?
In the time, where he builds 10 tanks, I could build 15?!
We cannot answer this question... maybe some of you can it
(I know we could set the graphics settings lower, but think just about this situation).

P.S. Just move/rename this thread, if it is necessary.
And I can write it better if you want, because now I'm a little bit tired

Greets