Hi Joel,

> code compiled with gcc-4.0 (with -O2) turns out to be faster than msvc
> for some numerically intensive simulation code running as a ruby
> extension, whereas msvc was faster than gcc-3.x output code. YMMV.

Was this with MSVC 7.1 or 8.0?

Thanks,

Wayne Vucenic
No Bugs Software
"Ruby and C++ Agile Contract Programming in Silicon Valley"