I didn't want allot of systems around the house so when I started with WCG, I decided to stick with multi core systems. Started with dual core, then quad, then octo. The dual socket mobo's aren't that expensive and used xeon's aren't either if you shop around. Nice thing about xeon's is they are work horses and made to run 24/7 so getting used ones are not risky. Either they work or they are dead when you get them. Not a fan on hyperthreading so will stick with true cores for now. But the new 6 core's coming out are so tempting but expensive.

8 real cores (16 threads) in the blade I have access to at work as well.

Two threads sharing a core with HT will always run slower than each thread having their own core. However, two threads with HT on one core are nearly always faster than two threads without HT on one core. So performance/watt is better. A few pages back someone posted some links to some comparisons of running BOINC with HT on vs HT off...

I have not had any problems running win 7 rc1 but don't plan on buying win7 when the RC1 runs out. Definately better than vista but its still windows and from what I have read so far about win7, its still has a big security hole the size of texas. I thought when windows jumped in bed with susi linux, microsoft would have transitioned to linux instead of propriatary software. When I was in class a few years ago getting my degree for computer science, my instructor pointed out that microsoft was working on a new OS but was keeping under wraps. I'll have to see if I can find that little blurb and post it for you guys. Don't think it was win vista/7 but could be wrong. Apple seems to be clinbing in the ranks while microsoft keeps dropping. With Cloud computing coming to fruitation, I think computing as we know it will change dramatically. Its going to suck to pay for just about everything we do when it comes to using the computer. Time will tell.

I was driving truck for around 5 years till I blew out my shoulder in 04. 2 surgeries within 4 years and allot of therapy. Got board and went back to school. Got my 2 year degree in computer science. Figured since I have been messing with computers since 1983, I would go get the degree while heeling up. Since no one wanted to hire an old fart like myself, I jumped on with MnDot. Guess the interviewers didn't like someone knowing more than they did. They were allot younger than me too so think that was an issue too. No big deal, I still like to drive truck. Should have went after the degree when I retired from the military in 95. I still look periodically at job postings but enjoy what i'm doing now. As for hair raising plowing snow, my a** does pucker when the cars get close but spin up the salt spinner to back em off. Been lucky so far.

edited for profanity - ErikaT

oops! sorry about that.