[Matt Adams]

To answer this question, the moment of inertia is basically a number you can use to compare shapes' strengths relative to one another.

See attached 'secret spreadsheet' snapshot.

It shows that 1" x 1/8" box will be about 2.5 as strong as 3/4" x 1/8" box. This surprises most who aren't familiar with how this calculation is performed.

If your question is, "Is there really that big of a difference?" The answer is yes.

Also note, that 1" x 1/16" is about 50% stronger than 3/4" x 1/8".

Something to chew on.

Matt