Will it Run Vista?
Fast?

How fast is Windows compared to Linux on this one?

In the world of the Vole the user interface and the operating system are one and the same. Its an easy enough mistake to make if you work with PC type computers, but as you leave that world behind the role of the UI becomes less and less important. At that point the operating system becomes not at all important, it shrinks back to its original function, and you then look for something that 'just plain works'. This is why 'ix' systems have typically had the high performance market to themselves -- its not that you can't run Windows, its just pointless.

...will it run Crysis at full settings?

There's definitely a Windows Cluster server OS....maybe it's only for Itaniums? I'm not sure about its architecture.

So you can use the Linux OS to browse the web and do email. When you feel like fraggin some Strogg a quick reboot and your playing Q4. Then again maybe the Linux port of Q4 would work on this one without stuttering so maybe Far Cry II on windows. Wonder what the 3dmark score is?

Dual booting your HPC must really be a geeks dream. Personally I'd use 2 HPC's with a KVM switch but that's just me.

As text states wrongly Ume university is not in Stockholm but rather in the second most northern state of Sweden, called Western Bothnia. Just liked to let you know.