We are about to buy our new server. We have 25 clients and our goal is to run shockwave multimedia applications on as many simultaneous terminals as possible (Probably 10-15 max.) The main program in mind mostly has still pictures and when you mouse over graphics different mp3s play, it also highlights texts as it reads it. We will run Edubuntu and we are looking to maximize our performance on the budget we have. We can't afford a dedicated server with scsi so we narrowed our options down to these desktop computers with SATA. They seem to be the best value. AMD64 x2 6000 Intel Duo Quad 6600 It seems that the Intel would be better due to quad core and faster speed. Both systems would use 4 GB DDR2 800 RAM and 4 SATAII 16MBcache 7200rpm 320GB HDDs. (We were thinking Linux software RAID 10 or 01 would be best.) Is the quad core the best choice? Are there any special settings needed to get he maximum performance out of it? Are there any features that we should look for in the motherboard? I was thinking separate channels for the HDs or something like that to maximize HD performance, although with our budget there may not me much choice. Also what do you think the limiting factor for performance would be? LAN, HDD, RAM or CPU or something else? We have one 8 port unmanaged Gb switch that feeds an 8port 100Mb switch in each classroom. Thanks for the feedback. I've been contemplating an upgrade for a while and now we have signed a contract with some university students we are committed to do it within the next week or two. Regards, Krsnendu das