I think one huge issue not being mentioned in this thread is also the programming issue of using multi core cpu's effectively.
SSE doesn't do this and it has been stated so in another thread by some of the Moderators that it's "harder than you think" to change the SSE engine to utilize a multi core environment effectively.
Something about the core engine being from another company that is under the same larger company that sells the game.
Vstep may have purchased a license to use a graphics/hydro dynamic software engine that they actually don't have alot of control over.
I think it's gonna take some time for the software programmers of many disciplines to "catch" up to the latest GPU API environments as well as creating super efficient programming tecniques for the 64bit multi core environment.
One thing that we all have seen in the gaming industry is the software studios with the deepest pockets are getting the best results with the newer technologies because they can hire the best talent (programmers and content creators) in the business.
To be honest with you I don't think the graphics/physics software engine that SSE uses is most efficient well written piece of code.;-(
No offense to VSTEP , just an observation and Lord knows I couldn't code an engine like that. I just want to buy one and I'll pay a good price for the right software.
SSE is just a game.
Craig