When my PC renders, it's not the processor that spikes, it's the Page File Usage. If your machine has the capacity (and with more than a Gig of RAM it probably does) you can increase the Page File Maximum. I don't know how, but someone will either add onto this post, or one of your "computer buddies" should know how. This conflicts with what was said above. Specifically, that "rendering is governed by processor speed". I'm sure that plays a part, but like I said, it's the Page File usage that rises dramatically while my processor speed tootles along at normal speed. Chloe