Maybe I should approach this differently. I have about $2000 to spend. My options are to either buy prebuilt or build myself as well as buy a single box or multiple boxes. If I build myself, I should be able to do it but I need a guarantee somewhere that the stuff I am building will work or 100% money back. I don't want to be eating more than 700watts.

So...does anyone have a recommendation? Know of a killer prebuilt single box system with multiple CPUs and/or GPUs that I can go click and buy in 15 minutes? Or, can someone supply an exact list of parts and I'll go buy them? Again, the Lenovo m710 Tiny has an i7-7700T, uses 65watts, is super tiny, and is $525. I could buy 4 of them...or if there is something much better out there for my $2k I am all ears.

My end goal is to contribute as much as I can to these cancer projects (and others if cancer is not available)...I have money in my hand and high confidence if I have to build. Who can help me?

Thanks very much in advance.

True but I didn't know there was that much of an effect...and Linux is free...saves me about $90 if I don't have to buy Windows so $90 deducted from a $400 (or cheaper) machine is worth it.

I'm not afraid of Linux...I can get it up and running and I would probably install Ubuntu. But actually installing and configuring BOINC/WCG I have never done and wouldn't have a clue if it came down to errors like me not having permission to install or do something. If Linux was just command line, I would need/want to know how to tell if BOINC is working ok and the networking was still working, etc. My preference would be a GUI Linux just because I really don't feel like learning command line for linux. :)

It's interesting that at pcpartpicker nobody has created any BOINC builds or even a generic "sub $400 fast CPU machine".

What is VINA? Google is of no help. :)

I do love the "thrill of the build". That moment when you sit quietly going over every step you took to put the system together, you have your OS and driver disk from the motherboard manufacturer in hand and you cross your fingers hit the power button and pray for POST.

OK, a little too much drama: but nothing like the feel when it all comes together.

this boinc wcg activity can never be a truly plug and play and forget activity. There is always something that will cause a glitch. If I wanted to set up the most trouble free low maintenance system, here's what I would dol

build a system with the latest Intel i7 or amd ryzen 8 core with an aftermarket air cooler with two fans; load ubuntu, connect to the internet with ethernet or powerline connection; don't overclock; load up prime 95 and a temp monitoring program, better yet TThrottle because it will slow down the cpu well before it overheats and let it brurn in for 3 -5 days. If no errors, load up the latest boinc from their web site, not wcg; select all projects (selecting only one is a risk unless you monitor frequently); add a quality ups that will run your system for at least 10 minutes and shut it down gracefully in case of power glitches or outages;
If you want to go headless (no keyboard monitor or mouse) load up TeamViewer on this and the computer or cell phone you want to monitor with. set the power management to everything always on, auto updates off,

Let it go. check on it every few days via teamviewer, check stats at least once per week to make sure its productive.

update os and virus checker once per month and restart. once every 6 months shut it down, take off the cover and blow out the dust well. turn it on with the cover off to make sure all the fans are working and not make unusual noises.

This system should last for 5-8 years and do a amazing amount of work.

Substitute a pre build if you want but all the rest needs to be done.

Not sure about the usb key slowing it down. But if you buy a machine with windows, just run that. It is still a little more trouble free in my opinion. I just spent 3 hours today trying to make the usb wi fi adapter work on ubuntu. there is some type of bug that made be have to copy a bunch of script in a command line to get it to work. t
then I wrestled with installing teamviewer. got it but cost time.
then I found that even though all my window machines run teamviewer happily without a monitor, ubuntu requires me to plug in a monitor emulator plug.

After all this when I finally pulled the plugs and went headless, nothing would work. another couple hours of research revealed that the secondhand motherboard I was using had a "halt" feature that stopped the boot if no keyboard was attached. trouble is, I couldn't see the warning because I was headless and the boot didn't get far enough to get teamviewer going.

I know, long winded and off point, and probably pushing you to just buy prebuilt. building computers is like growing your on tomatos, they taste good but cost your more that store bought if you account for your time and all the incidentals.