Hypernova - you could configure your existing i7's locally to use a set amount of CPU cores.
If you set Boinc to use 75% of the CPU then it will run 6 threads. You would still be able to use the system for work.
As Boinc threads run as low priority, when you use the system the Boinc threads will naturally pause running when you need to use the CPU.
You can also right click on Boinc and Snooze, should you need to.

Hello dkt,

Movieman has the i7 down pat! I suggest you post your query ATTN: Movieman in Chat.

Lawrence

Just create a new thread in Chat - "Ping Movieman - fast CPUs"

DKT, are you specifically looking for a Quad core system (an i7 with its 8 threads), or a Quad socket system with four CPUs on one Server system, or just general advice on getting a good system for crunching?

Any i7 will make a significant contribution here. It is down to what you can afford/want to pay.
You should note that you could build two i7-920 systems for the price of one i7-975 Extreme system! Although the i7-975 is faster with its higher clock and newer design, you could overclock an i7-920s to get the same performance as the i7-975, and save a substantial amount of money. That said, i7-975s overclock too and have an unlocked multiplier!

I would not reccomend getting a server class quad system, as they would not be i7 based. A top end dual socket i7 system (Skulltrail) will do about the same amount of work as the top quad skt Xeon system but would cost less.
Both are very expensive. I would prefer to have two i7s than one Skulltrail system.

Next year, 1st Quarter I think, the 6-core i9s will be released. So you might just want to wait, and save!
These will overclock too, but I would leave that to the Hexperts

dkt,

You can also find Movieman at XtremeSystems in the WCG forum.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=207