I don't see how a different set of hardware that's hobbled by the OS would help.

A 20 MHz Z80 (I still have a couple of those) running CP/M would do just fine. They can transfer data at a pretty good clip. If one uses the optimized version of the OS, written entirely in ASM, it's pretty fast, at least WAY faster than a 20 MHz '396 running Windows98 or XP.

So far, I'm leaning toward custom hardware transferring the data over a parallel cable, to an ISA-based PC. I can buy one of those, used, of course, but completely functional, at a thrift store for about $10 and can then give it away when I'm done with my demonstration. The code can even be written in Turbo C with low-level functions in ASM.

From what I've read, from users of such machines as the dual-core, hyperthreaded, processor types you suggest, there are other problems that often interfere with useful work, though they make gaming and surfing very convenient. They all seem to need to have one core and hyperthreading turned off before they function properly.

RE