I'm looking to buy/build a PC solely for running World Community Grid through BOINC.

Thus my requirements are that it must have a kick-ass CPU (ideally quad core, but would settle for dual), and er, not much else. Budget is <£400 ideally. No need for a gfx card (I'll settle for on-board), but if I must have one then budget goes to <£500.

I want this machine to have as low a power draw as is humanly possible, thus not too bothered about lack of discrete graphics card.

I'm either looking to buy or build so all suggestions welcomed.

EDIT: Of course if anyone wants to flog me a second-hand machine with decent CPU inside, please also get into touch - the more money I can save the better.

Final edit, I promise , I've posted this in the Meeting Place as I'm open to both PC and Mac suggestions, not just one or the other. Also, no OS required - I'll be bunging Linux on it so don't include OS in any costings.

OK, I've come up with this:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 4MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - Retail £137
Asus T3-P5G31 Intel Core 2 Duo/Core 2 Quad (LGA775) Barebones System - Black £100
Corsair XMS2 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX Dual Channel (TWIN2X4096-6400C5C) £34
Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (WD1600AAJS) £30
Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £17

Total inc. delivery = £330.

All from Overclockers, haven't shopped around for better prices yet. Comments/anyone got anything better/cheaper? Or perhaps a PC sitting around doing nothing?

For a distributed computing machine forget the CDROM drive. Borrow one from another OC for install.
That's 10-15 watts saved.
The q6600 or q6700 overclock better (for more points), you'll also need a better (silent) hsf.
The freebie psu will also be loud & not very efficient.
Scan or ebuyer will be cheaper than overclockers (with beter customer service as well).

Can't I tempt you with folding instead? That sore of money would get you a 15k+ ppd system

As far as I'm aware though, F@H doesn't specifically target certain diseases though does it? Whereas World Community Grid does.

I'm going to assume you're suggesting the SMP client?

EDIT: Also sas, I'll be at work 'til 9pm so if you could post the specs. of the machine you have in mind I can look it over when I get home.

http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop ... ID=B221545

There's the chip you mentioned LU for £7 or so cheaper (total), LU. Saw it earlier today... I appreciate you may wanna order everything from the same site...

I was thinking more of a multi gpu setup.

That's what I thought you meant initially, but isn't that going to eat through my 'leccy like there's no tomorrow?

Only if you turn it on

It'd consume a bit more power but you'd actually get better performance per watt than with using CPUs.