However, one may still want to keep the number of threads to 2 and not raise it to 3 if, like me, You want to do something else while You wait for the render (watch a movie, browse the web) without having the PC stagger too much.

Perhaps you may like to try Poser with Linux/Wine as I do (runs perfectly well out of the box with Ubuntu Hardy here if the latest Ubuntu-Updates are installed).
I'm able to construct new toys with my Cinema 4D while Poser renders large pictures.

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