Quote - My setup is similar to Blackhearted's: 4 GB RAM, Dualcore AMD 64 bit CPU, etc. (soon to be replaced by Core 2-based Intel CPUs).

InverseSpline, I'm curious. Why are you going from the AMD 64 bit to the Core 2 Intel CPU?  Is the Intel CPU much better?  I too always have other programs open when I'm rendering--usually Photoshop or some other graphics editing program, and, of course, I'm always on the internet. 

Thanks,
Bobette