Currently the top-of-the-line consumer products seem to be quad core computers, and I've read about octo-core and up computers existing (Intel's products: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Xeon_microprocessors#.22Westmere-EX.22_.2832_nm.29)

I suppose one big problem on the software side is that most operating systems wouldn't be set up in a way to optimize performance gains from these CPUs, making them an expensive waste of money. I'm also curious as to what some of the hardware limitations are (floor planning and signal timing constraints perhaps?).

I'm thinking of pursuing research opportunities in systems programming for multi-core computers, so I wanted to try and get some insightful info and input if that's going to be (or already is) an important field.

Cheers.