My new Systemax with the Intel i7 CPU has made quite a significant difference. It looks like I will easily reach 1 million points per month, using my other "dual quad - not i7" computer along with it. I haven't had any cooling problems with the Intel i7 so far. It has been running 24/7. I did invest in a "gaming" computer because it's designed with a really good "cooling system". I also intend to run 64 bit Cakewalk (music program) in it in about 3 weeks. And I fully agree, with two i7 computers "one" could get out a great deal of work for the World Community Grid. It's amazing what can be done with "multiple cores".

Well, you all have a nice week.

Bob F.

Common consensus is that the Windows version of the science apps perform better than Linux. WinXP 64 being the best but I have not seen any charts on Win7 64 yet.

I intend to upgrade my Systemax 64 bit Vista to the new Windows 7 - 64 bit and then do a comparison and see if there is a speed increase in "crunching out" World Community Grid points. Microsoft will be releasing it in October 22nd of this year. I don't expect any significant increase in points at all but time will tell. I have enough data from my new Systemax to do a "fair" comparison but, so far, from what I have seen, it's the number of CPU "Cores", the number of "Threads" per CPU "Core" and a decent amount of RAM. The number of CPU "Cores" and the number of "Threads" per CPU "Core" I feel, takes much greater preference over the amount of RAM. As long as the "Operating System" and the "mother board" handles the CPU "Threads" and the CPU "Cores" I think that's what matters the most. Now is there anyone running a Computer with an Intel 3.06 GHz - i7? I went with the 2.66 GHz i7 CPU because the 3.06 GHz was expensive and it has the same amount of "Smart Cache" as the 2.66 MHz i7 CPU. I feel that the 2.66 MHz i7 is a really good buy. Again, is anyone using the 3.06 GHz i7? And if so, could you please tell me how many points per month you are getting from it?

Well, you all have a good night

Bob_F

Personally I use a small KVM box to share one display, one keyboard and one mouse between two desktops. To make this setup as simple as possible I have chosen a USB model and basic models of the keyboard and mouse: no fancy keys or functions, therefore no need for specific drivers. Jumps between both systems via a double press of the numlock key. Very cool and cheap. If you plan to have more systems later or if you want to be able to plug a laptop from time to time you can choose a bigger model able to control 4 systems.

Cheers. Jean.

Edit:
PS: If you have more questions and/or want to discuss this topic more deeply you should start your own thread (with an appropriate title) in the Chat Room section of the forum.