diff --git a/common/include/Utilities/Console.h b/common/include/Utilities/Console.h
index 346a6ed010..032e159157 100644
--- a/common/include/Utilities/Console.h
+++ b/common/include/Utilities/Console.h
@@ -81,6 +81,10 @@ struct IConsoleWriter
 	// SetColor implementation for internal use only.
 	void (__concall *DoSetColor)( ConsoleColors color );
 
+	// Special implementation of DoWrite that's pretty much for MSVC use only.
+	// All implementations should map to DoWrite, except Stdio which should map to Null.
+	void (__concall *DoWriteFromStdout)( const wxString& fmt );
+
 	void (__concall *Newline)();
 	void (__concall *SetTitle)( const wxString& title );
 
@@ -111,6 +115,9 @@ struct IConsoleWriter
 	bool Error( const wxChar* fmt, ... ) const;
 	bool Warning( const wxChar* fmt, ... ) const;
 
+	bool WriteFromStdout( const char* fmt, ... ) const;
+	bool WriteFromStdout( ConsoleColors color, const char* fmt, ... ) const;
+
 	// internal value for indentation of individual lines.  Use the Indent() member to invoke.
 	int _imm_indentation;
 	
@@ -209,7 +216,7 @@ extern void ConsoleBuffer_Clear();
 extern void ConsoleBuffer_FlushToFile( FILE *fp );
 
 extern const IConsoleWriter		ConsoleWriter_Null;
-extern const IConsoleWriter		ConsoleWriter_Stdio;
+extern const IConsoleWriter		ConsoleWriter_Stdout;
 extern const IConsoleWriter		ConsoleWriter_Assert;
 extern const IConsoleWriter		ConsoleWriter_Buffered;
 extern const IConsoleWriter		ConsoleWriter_wxError;
diff --git a/common/include/Utilities/Threading.h b/common/include/Utilities/Threading.h
index 3cb970ef3f..d0ce327de2 100644
--- a/common/include/Utilities/Threading.h
+++ b/common/include/Utilities/Threading.h
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 #undef Yield		// release th burden of windows.h global namespace spam.
 
-#define AllowFromMainThreadOnly() \
+#define AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain() \
 	pxAssertMsg( wxThread::IsMain(), "Thread affinity violation: Call allowed from main thread only." )
 
 class wxTimeSpan;
@@ -419,6 +419,9 @@ namespace Threading
 		
 		void FrankenMutex( Mutex& mutex );
 
+		bool AffinityAssert_AllowFromSelf() const;
+		bool AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf() const;
+
 		// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 		// Section of methods for internal use only.
 
diff --git a/common/src/Utilities/Console.cpp b/common/src/Utilities/Console.cpp
index fd2c2fa993..0cea1191e0 100644
--- a/common/src/Utilities/Console.cpp
+++ b/common/src/Utilities/Console.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@
 
 using namespace Threading;
 
+static wxString	m_buffer;		// used by ConsoleBuffer
+static Mutex	m_bufferlock;	// used by ConsoleBuffer
+
 // This function re-assigns the console log writer(s) to the specified target.  It makes sure
 // to flush any contents from the buffered console log (which typically accumulates due to
 // log suspension during log file/window re-init operations) into the new log.
@@ -34,8 +37,12 @@ void Console_SetActiveHandler( const IConsoleWriter& writer, FILE* flushfp )
 		"Invalid IConsoleWriter object!  All function pointer interfaces must be implemented."
 	);
 
-	if( !ConsoleBuffer_Get().IsEmpty() )
-		writer.DoWriteLn( ConsoleBuffer_Get() );
+	if( &writer != &ConsoleWriter_Buffered )
+	{
+		ScopedLock lock( m_bufferlock );
+		if( !ConsoleBuffer_Get().IsEmpty() )
+			writer.DoWriteLn( ConsoleBuffer_Get() );
+	}
 
 	Console	= writer;
 
@@ -64,6 +71,7 @@ const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_Null =
 	ConsoleNull_DoWriteLn,
 	ConsoleNull_DoSetColor,
 
+	ConsoleNull_DoWrite,
 	ConsoleNull_Newline,
 	ConsoleNull_SetTitle,
 
@@ -71,7 +79,7 @@ const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_Null =
 };
 
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-//  Console_Stdio
+//  Console_Stdout
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 #ifdef __LINUX__
@@ -117,23 +125,23 @@ static __forceinline const wxChar* GetLinuxConsoleColor(ConsoleColors color)
 #endif
 
 // One possible default write action at startup and shutdown is to use the stdout.
-static void __concall ConsoleStdio_DoWrite( const wxString& fmt )
+static void __concall ConsoleStdout_DoWrite( const wxString& fmt )
 {
 	wxPrintf( fmt );
 }
 
 // Default write action at startup and shutdown is to use the stdout.
-static void __concall ConsoleStdio_DoWriteLn( const wxString& fmt )
+static void __concall ConsoleStdout_DoWriteLn( const wxString& fmt )
 {
 	wxPrintf( fmt + L"\n" );
 }
 
-static void __concall ConsoleStdio_Newline()
+static void __concall ConsoleStdout_Newline()
 {
 	wxPrintf( L"\n" );
 }
 
-static void __concall ConsoleStdio_DoSetColor( ConsoleColors color )
+static void __concall ConsoleStdout_DoSetColor( ConsoleColors color )
 {
 #ifdef __LINUX__
 	wxPrintf(L"\033[0m");
@@ -141,21 +149,22 @@ static void __concall ConsoleStdio_DoSetColor( ConsoleColors color )
 #endif
 }
 
-static void __concall ConsoleStdio_SetTitle( const wxString& title )
+static void __concall ConsoleStdout_SetTitle( const wxString& title )
 {
 #ifdef __LINUX__
 	wxPrintf(L"\033]0;" + title + L"\007");
 #endif
 }
 
-const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_Stdio =
+const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_Stdout =
 {
-	ConsoleStdio_DoWrite,			// Writes without newlines go to buffer to avoid error log spam.
-	ConsoleStdio_DoWriteLn,
-	ConsoleStdio_DoSetColor,
+	ConsoleStdout_DoWrite,			// Writes without newlines go to buffer to avoid error log spam.
+	ConsoleStdout_DoWriteLn,
+	ConsoleStdout_DoSetColor,
 
-	ConsoleStdio_Newline,
-	ConsoleStdio_SetTitle,
+	ConsoleNull_DoWrite,			// writes from stdout are ignored here, lest we create infinite loop hell >_<
+	ConsoleStdout_Newline,
+	ConsoleStdout_SetTitle,
 
 	0,		// instance-level indentation (should always be 0)
 };
@@ -180,6 +189,7 @@ const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_Assert =
 	ConsoleAssert_DoWriteLn,
 	ConsoleNull_DoSetColor,
 
+	ConsoleNull_DoWrite,
 	ConsoleNull_Newline,
 	ConsoleNull_SetTitle,
 
@@ -190,8 +200,6 @@ const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_Assert =
 //  ConsoleBuffer
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-static wxString	m_buffer;
-
 const wxString& ConsoleBuffer_Get()
 {
 	return m_buffer;
@@ -199,6 +207,7 @@ const wxString& ConsoleBuffer_Get()
 
 void ConsoleBuffer_Clear()
 {
+	ScopedLock lock( m_bufferlock );
 	m_buffer.Clear();
 }
 
@@ -206,6 +215,7 @@ void ConsoleBuffer_Clear()
 // clears the buffer contents to 0.
 void ConsoleBuffer_FlushToFile( FILE *fp )
 {
+	ScopedLock lock( m_bufferlock );
 	if( fp == NULL || m_buffer.IsEmpty() ) return;
 	px_fputs( fp, m_buffer.ToUTF8() );
 	m_buffer.Clear();
@@ -213,11 +223,13 @@ void ConsoleBuffer_FlushToFile( FILE *fp )
 
 static void __concall ConsoleBuffer_DoWrite( const wxString& fmt )
 {
+	ScopedLock lock( m_bufferlock );
 	m_buffer += fmt;
 }
 
 static void __concall ConsoleBuffer_DoWriteLn( const wxString& fmt )
 {
+	ScopedLock lock( m_bufferlock );
 	m_buffer += fmt + L"\n";
 }
 
@@ -227,6 +239,7 @@ const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_Buffered =
 	ConsoleBuffer_DoWriteLn,
 	ConsoleNull_DoSetColor,
 
+	ConsoleBuffer_DoWrite,
 	ConsoleNull_Newline,
 	ConsoleNull_SetTitle,
 
@@ -253,6 +266,7 @@ const IConsoleWriter ConsoleWriter_wxError =
 	Console_wxLogError_DoWriteLn,
 	ConsoleNull_DoSetColor,
 
+	ConsoleBuffer_DoWrite,
 	ConsoleNull_Newline,
 	ConsoleNull_SetTitle,
 
@@ -616,6 +630,36 @@ bool IConsoleWriter::Warning( const wxChar* fmt, ... ) const
 	return false;
 }
 
+// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//  
+// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+bool IConsoleWriter::WriteFromStdout( const char* fmt, ... ) const
+{
+	if( DoWriteFromStdout == ConsoleNull_DoWrite ) return false;
+
+	va_list args;
+	va_start(args,fmt);
+	DoWrite( ascii_format_string(fmt, args) );
+	va_end(args);
+
+	return false;
+}
+
+bool IConsoleWriter::WriteFromStdout( ConsoleColors color, const char* fmt, ... ) const
+{
+	if( DoWriteFromStdout == ConsoleNull_DoWrite ) return false;
+
+	va_list args;
+	va_start(args,fmt);
+	ConsoleColorScope cs( color );
+	DoWrite( ascii_format_string(fmt, args) );
+	va_end(args);
+
+	return false;
+}
+
+
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 //  Default Writer for C++ init / startup:
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -627,7 +671,7 @@ bool IConsoleWriter::Warning( const wxChar* fmt, ... ) const
 #if wxUSE_GUI && defined(__WXMSW__)
 #	define _DefaultWriter_	ConsoleWriter_Assert
 #else
-#	define _DefaultWriter_	ConsoleWriter_Stdio
+#	define _DefaultWriter_	ConsoleWriter_Stdout
 #endif
 
 // Important!  Only Assert and Null console loggers are allowed for initial console targeting.
diff --git a/common/src/Utilities/ThreadTools.cpp b/common/src/Utilities/ThreadTools.cpp
index 642a7046e5..3854300fc3 100644
--- a/common/src/Utilities/ThreadTools.cpp
+++ b/common/src/Utilities/ThreadTools.cpp
@@ -67,12 +67,12 @@ void Threading::PersistentThread::_pt_callback_cleanup( void* handle )
 	((PersistentThread*)handle)->_ThreadCleanup();
 }
 
-Threading::PersistentThread::PersistentThread() :
-	m_name( L"PersistentThread" )
-,	m_thread()
-,	m_sem_event()
-,	m_lock_InThread()
-,	m_lock_start()
+Threading::PersistentThread::PersistentThread()
+	: m_name( L"PersistentThread" )
+	, m_thread()
+	, m_sem_event()
+	, m_lock_InThread()
+	, m_lock_start()
 {
 	m_detached	= true;		// start out with m_thread in detached/invalid state
 	m_running	= false;
@@ -116,6 +116,16 @@ Threading::PersistentThread::~PersistentThread() throw()
 	DESTRUCTOR_CATCHALL
 }
 
+bool Threading::PersistentThread::AffinityAssert_AllowFromSelf() const
+{
+	return pxAssertMsg( IsSelf(), wxsFormat( L"Thread affinity violation: Call allowed from '%s' thread only.", m_name ) );
+}
+
+bool Threading::PersistentThread::AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf() const
+{
+	return pxAssertMsg( !IsSelf(), wxsFormat( L"Thread affinity violation: Call is *not* allowed from '%s' thread.", m_name ) );
+}
+
 void Threading::PersistentThread::FrankenMutex( Mutex& mutex )
 {
 	if( mutex.RecreateIfLocked() )
@@ -155,7 +165,7 @@ void Threading::PersistentThread::Start()
 // This function should not be called from the owner thread.
 bool Threading::PersistentThread::Detach()
 {
-	pxAssertMsg( !IsSelf(), "Thread affinity error." );		// not allowed from our own thread.
+	AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf();
 
 	if( _InterlockedExchange( &m_detached, true ) ) return false;
 	pthread_detach( m_thread );
@@ -175,7 +185,7 @@ bool Threading::PersistentThread::Detach()
 //
 void Threading::PersistentThread::Cancel( bool isBlocking )
 {
-	pxAssertMsg( !IsSelf(), "Thread affinity error." );
+	AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf();
 
 	{
 		// Prevent simultaneous startup and cancel:
@@ -210,8 +220,7 @@ void Threading::PersistentThread::Cancel( bool isBlocking )
 //
 void Threading::PersistentThread::Block()
 {
-	pxAssertDev( !IsSelf(), "Thread deadlock detected; Block() should never be called by the owner thread." );
-
+	AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf();
 	m_lock_InThread.Wait();
 }
 
@@ -268,7 +277,7 @@ void Threading::PersistentThread::_selfRunningTest( const wxChar* name ) const
 //
 void Threading::PersistentThread::WaitOnSelf( Semaphore& sem ) const
 {
-	if( !pxAssertDev( !IsSelf(), "WaitOnSelf called from inside the blocking thread (invalid operation!)" ) ) return;
+	if( !AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf() ) return;
 
 	while( true )
 	{
@@ -292,7 +301,7 @@ void Threading::PersistentThread::WaitOnSelf( Semaphore& sem ) const
 //
 void Threading::PersistentThread::WaitOnSelf( Mutex& mutex ) const
 {
-	if( !pxAssertDev( !IsSelf(), "WaitOnSelf called from inside the blocking thread (invalid operation!)" ) ) return;
+	if( !AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf() ) return;
 
 	while( true )
 	{
@@ -305,7 +314,7 @@ static const wxTimeSpan SelfWaitInterval( 0,0,0,333 );
 
 bool Threading::PersistentThread::WaitOnSelf( Semaphore& sem, const wxTimeSpan& timeout ) const
 {
-	if( !pxAssertDev( !IsSelf(), "WaitOnSelf called from inside the blocking thread (invalid operation!)" ) ) return true;
+	if( !AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf() ) return true;
 
 	wxTimeSpan runningout( timeout );
 
@@ -321,7 +330,7 @@ bool Threading::PersistentThread::WaitOnSelf( Semaphore& sem, const wxTimeSpan&
 
 bool Threading::PersistentThread::WaitOnSelf( Mutex& mutex, const wxTimeSpan& timeout ) const
 {
-	if( !pxAssertDev( !IsSelf(), "WaitOnSelf called from inside the blocking thread (invalid operation!)" ) ) return true;
+	if( !AffinityAssert_DisallowFromSelf() ) return true;
 
 	wxTimeSpan runningout( timeout );
 
@@ -341,7 +350,7 @@ bool Threading::PersistentThread::WaitOnSelf( Mutex& mutex, const wxTimeSpan& ti
 // and cleanup, or use the DoThreadCleanup() override to perform resource cleanup).
 void Threading::PersistentThread::TestCancel() const
 {
-	pxAssert( IsSelf() );
+	AffinityAssert_AllowFromSelf();
 	pthread_testcancel();
 }
 
@@ -422,10 +431,8 @@ void Threading::PersistentThread::_try_virtual_invoke( void (PersistentThread::*
 // OnCleanupInThread() to extend cleanup functionality.
 void Threading::PersistentThread::_ThreadCleanup()
 {
-	pxAssertMsg( IsSelf(), "Thread affinity error." );	// only allowed from our own thread, thanks.
-
+	AffinityAssert_AllowFromSelf();
 	_try_virtual_invoke( &PersistentThread::OnCleanupInThread );
-
 	m_lock_InThread.Release();
 }
 
@@ -486,7 +493,7 @@ void Threading::PersistentThread::_DoSetThreadName( const wxString& name )
 
 void Threading::PersistentThread::_DoSetThreadName( const char* name )
 {
-	pxAssertMsg( IsSelf(), "Thread affinity error." );	// only allowed from our own thread, thanks.
+	if( !AffinityAssert_AllowFromSelf() ) return;
 
 	// This feature needs Windows headers and MSVC's SEH support:
 
diff --git a/common/src/x86emitter/LnxCpuDetect.cpp b/common/src/x86emitter/LnxCpuDetect.cpp
index 2c7d42bcf8..91ca200b85 100644
--- a/common/src/x86emitter/LnxCpuDetect.cpp
+++ b/common/src/x86emitter/LnxCpuDetect.cpp
@@ -17,13 +17,9 @@
 #include "PrecompiledHeader.h"
 #include "cpudetect_internal.h"
 
-s32 iCpuId( u32 cmd, u32 *regs )
+void iCpuId( u32 cmd, u32 *regs )
 {
-	// ecx should be zero for CPUID(4)
-	__asm__ __volatile__ ( "xor %ecx, %ecx" );
-
 	__cpuid( (int*)regs, cmd );
-	return 0;
 }
 
 // Note: Apparently this solution is Linux/Solaris only.
diff --git a/common/src/x86emitter/WinCpuDetect.cpp b/common/src/x86emitter/WinCpuDetect.cpp
index 039b12128b..6dd1fd7c99 100644
--- a/common/src/x86emitter/WinCpuDetect.cpp
+++ b/common/src/x86emitter/WinCpuDetect.cpp
@@ -17,12 +17,10 @@
 #include "PrecompiledHeader.h"
 #include "cpudetect_internal.h"
 
-s32 iCpuId( u32 cmd, u32 *regs )
+void iCpuId( u32 cmd, u32 *regs )
 {
 	// ecx should be zero for CPUID(4)
-	__asm xor ecx, ecx;
 	__cpuid( (int*)regs, cmd );
-	return 0;
 }
 
 void CountLogicalCores( int LogicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU, int PhysicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU )
@@ -54,7 +52,8 @@ void CountLogicalCores( int LogicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU, int PhysicalCoresPerPhys
 bool _test_instruction( void* pfnCall )
 {
 	__try {
-		((void (*)())pfnCall)();
+		u128 regsave;
+		((void (__fastcall *)(void*))pfnCall)( &regsave );
 	}
 	__except(EXCEPTION_EXECUTE_HANDLER) {
 		return false;
diff --git a/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect.cpp b/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect.cpp
index 6035d54c36..337a7d15fc 100644
--- a/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect.cpp
+++ b/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect.cpp
@@ -68,79 +68,72 @@ static s64 CPUSpeedHz( u64 time )
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 void cpudetectInit()
 {
-   u32 regs[ 4 ];
-   u32 cmds;
-   //AMD 64 STUFF
-   u32 x86_64_8BITBRANDID;
-   u32 x86_64_12BITBRANDID;
+	u32 regs[ 4 ];
+	u32 cmds;
+	//AMD 64 STUFF
+	u32 x86_64_8BITBRANDID;
+	u32 x86_64_12BITBRANDID;
 
-   memzero( x86caps.VendorName );
-   x86caps.FamilyID = 0;
-   x86caps.Model  = 0;
-   x86caps.TypeID  = 0;
-   x86caps.StepID = 0;
-   x86caps.Flags  = 0;
-   x86caps.EFlags = 0;
+	memzero( x86caps.VendorName );
+	x86caps.FamilyID	= 0;
+	x86caps.Model	= 0;
+	x86caps.TypeID	= 0;
+	x86caps.StepID	= 0;
+	x86caps.Flags	= 0;
+	x86caps.EFlags	= 0;
 
-   if ( iCpuId( 0, regs ) == -1 ) return;
+	//memzero( regs );
+	iCpuId( 0, regs );
 
-   cmds = regs[ 0 ];
-   ((u32*)x86caps.VendorName)[ 0 ] = regs[ 1 ];
-   ((u32*)x86caps.VendorName)[ 1 ] = regs[ 3 ];
-   ((u32*)x86caps.VendorName)[ 2 ] = regs[ 2 ];
+	cmds = regs[ 0 ];
+	((u32*)x86caps.VendorName)[ 0 ] = regs[ 1 ];
+	((u32*)x86caps.VendorName)[ 1 ] = regs[ 3 ];
+	((u32*)x86caps.VendorName)[ 2 ] = regs[ 2 ];
 
-   u32 LogicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU = 0;
-   u32 PhysicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU = 1;
+	u32 LogicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU = 0;
+	u32 PhysicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU = 1;
 
-   if ( cmds >= 0x00000001 )
-   {
-      if ( iCpuId( 0x00000001, regs ) != -1 )
-      {
-         x86caps.StepID =  regs[ 0 ]        & 0xf;
-         x86caps.Model  = (regs[ 0 ] >>  4) & 0xf;
-         x86caps.FamilyID = (regs[ 0 ] >>  8) & 0xf;
-         x86caps.TypeID  = (regs[ 0 ] >> 12) & 0x3;
-		 LogicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU = ( regs[1] >> 16 ) & 0xff;
-         x86_64_8BITBRANDID = regs[ 1 ] & 0xff;
-         x86caps.Flags  =  regs[ 3 ];
-         x86caps.Flags2 =  regs[ 2 ];
-      }
-   }
+	if ( cmds >= 0x00000001 )
+	{
+		iCpuId( 0x00000001, regs );
 
-   // detect multicore for Intel cpu
+		x86caps.StepID		=  regs[ 0 ]        & 0xf;
+		x86caps.Model		= (regs[ 0 ] >>  4) & 0xf;
+		x86caps.FamilyID	= (regs[ 0 ] >>  8) & 0xf;
+		x86caps.TypeID		= (regs[ 0 ] >> 12) & 0x3;
+		x86_64_8BITBRANDID	=  regs[ 1 ] & 0xff;
+		x86caps.Flags		=  regs[ 3 ];
+		x86caps.Flags2		=  regs[ 2 ];
 
-   if ((cmds >= 0x00000004) && !strcmp("GenuineIntel",x86caps.VendorName))
-   {
-      if ( iCpuId( 0x00000004, regs ) != -1 )
-      {
-         PhysicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU += ( regs[0] >> 26) & 0x3f;
-      }
-   }
+		LogicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU = ( regs[1] >> 16 ) & 0xff;
+	}
 
-   if ( iCpuId( 0x80000000, regs ) != -1 )
-   {
-      cmds = regs[ 0 ];
-      if ( cmds >= 0x80000001 )
-      {
-		 if ( iCpuId( 0x80000001, regs ) != -1 )
-         {
-			x86_64_12BITBRANDID = regs[1] & 0xfff;
-			x86caps.EFlags2 = regs[ 2 ];
-            x86caps.EFlags = regs[ 3 ];
+	// detect multicore for Intel cpu
 
-         }
-      }
-      
-      // detect multicore for AMD cpu
-      
-      if ((cmds >= 0x80000008) && !strcmp("AuthenticAMD",x86caps.VendorName))
-      {
-         if ( iCpuId( 0x80000008, regs ) != -1 )
-         {
-            PhysicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU += ( regs[2] ) & 0xff;
-         }
-      }
-   }
+	if ((cmds >= 0x00000004) && !strcmp("GenuineIntel",x86caps.VendorName))
+	{
+		iCpuId( 0x00000004, regs );
+		PhysicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU += ( regs[0] >> 26) & 0x3f;
+	}
+
+	iCpuId( 0x80000000, regs );
+	cmds = regs[ 0 ];
+	if ( cmds >= 0x80000001 )
+	{
+		iCpuId( 0x80000001, regs );
+
+		x86_64_12BITBRANDID = regs[1] & 0xfff;
+		x86caps.EFlags2 = regs[ 2 ];
+		x86caps.EFlags = regs[ 3 ];
+	}
+	  
+	// detect multicore for AMD cpu
+
+	if ((cmds >= 0x80000008) && !strcmp("AuthenticAMD",x86caps.VendorName))
+	{
+		iCpuId( 0x80000008, regs );
+		PhysicalCoresPerPhysicalCPU += ( regs[2] ) & 0xff;
+	}
 
 	switch(x86caps.TypeID)
 	{
@@ -245,15 +238,21 @@ void cpudetectInit()
 	if( CanTestInstructionSets() )
 	{
 		xSetPtr( recSSE );
+		xMOVDQU( ptr[ecx], xmm1 );
 		xMOVSLDUP( xmm1, xmm0 );
+		xMOVDQU( xmm1, ptr[ecx] );
 		xRET();
 
 		u8* funcSSSE3 = xGetPtr();
-		xPABS.W( xmm0, xmm1 );
+		xMOVDQU( ptr[ecx], xmm1 );
+		xPABS.W( xmm1, xmm0 );
+		xMOVDQU( xmm1, ptr[ecx] );
 		xRET();
 
 		u8* funcSSE41 = xGetPtr();
+		xMOVDQU( ptr[ecx], xmm1 );
 		xBLEND.VPD( xmm1, xmm0 );
+		xMOVDQU( xmm1, ptr[ecx] );
 		xRET();
 
 		bool sse3_result = _test_instruction( recSSE );  // sse3
diff --git a/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect_internal.h b/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect_internal.h
index 6dd14f7935..53831954bb 100644
--- a/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect_internal.h
+++ b/common/src/x86emitter/cpudetect_internal.h
@@ -53,4 +53,4 @@ public:
 
 extern bool CanTestInstructionSets();
 extern bool _test_instruction( void* pfnCall );
-extern s32 iCpuId( u32 cmd, u32 *regs );
+extern void iCpuId( u32 cmd, u32 *regs );
diff --git a/pcsx2/System.cpp b/pcsx2/System.cpp
index 8f4b9c523d..bacb59245d 100644
--- a/pcsx2/System.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2/System.cpp
@@ -37,21 +37,21 @@ const Pcsx2Config EmuConfig;
 Pcsx2Config::GSOptions& SetGSConfig()
 {
 	//DbgCon.WriteLn( "Direct modification of EmuConfig.GS detected" );
-	AllowFromMainThreadOnly();
+	AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain();
 	return const_cast<Pcsx2Config::GSOptions&>(EmuConfig.GS);
 }
 
 ConsoleLogFilters& SetConsoleConfig()
 {
 	//DbgCon.WriteLn( "Direct modification of EmuConfig.Log detected" );
-	AllowFromMainThreadOnly();
+	AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain();
 	return const_cast<ConsoleLogFilters&>(EmuConfig.Log);
 }
 
 TraceLogFilters& SetTraceConfig()
 {
 	//DbgCon.WriteLn( "Direct modification of EmuConfig.TraceLog detected" );
-	AllowFromMainThreadOnly();
+	AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain();
 	return const_cast<TraceLogFilters&>(EmuConfig.Trace);
 }
 
diff --git a/pcsx2/gui/AppCoreThread.cpp b/pcsx2/gui/AppCoreThread.cpp
index 4a031f721c..1eaab5a48a 100644
--- a/pcsx2/gui/AppCoreThread.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2/gui/AppCoreThread.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ static int resume_tries = 0;
 void AppCoreThread::Resume()
 {
 	// Thread control (suspend / resume) should only be performed from the main/gui thread.
-	if( !AllowFromMainThreadOnly() ) return;
+	if( !AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain() ) return;
 	if( m_ExecMode == ExecMode_Opened ) return;
 	if( m_ResumeProtection.IsLocked() ) return;
 
diff --git a/pcsx2/gui/AppMain.cpp b/pcsx2/gui/AppMain.cpp
index 13e277377f..1440b4cc68 100644
--- a/pcsx2/gui/AppMain.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2/gui/AppMain.cpp
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ void Pcsx2App::PostPadKey( wxKeyEvent& evt )
 
 int Pcsx2App::ThreadedModalDialog( DialogIdentifiers dialogId )
 {
-	AllowFromMainThreadOnly();
+	AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain();
 
 	MsgboxEventResult result;
 	wxCommandEvent joe( pxEVT_OpenModalDialog, dialogId );
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ GSFrame& Pcsx2App::GetGSFrame() const
 
 void AppApplySettings( const AppConfig* oldconf )
 {
-	AllowFromMainThreadOnly();
+	AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain();
 
 	g_Conf->Folders.ApplyDefaults();
 
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ AppIniLoader::AppIniLoader()
 
 void AppLoadSettings()
 {
-	if( !AllowFromMainThreadOnly() ) return;
+	if( !AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain() ) return;
 
 	AppIniLoader loader;
 	g_Conf->LoadSave( loader );
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ void AppLoadSettings()
 
 void AppSaveSettings()
 {
-	if( !AllowFromMainThreadOnly() ) return;
+	if( !AffinityAssert_AllowFromMain() ) return;
 
 	AppIniSaver saver;
 	g_Conf->LoadSave( saver );
diff --git a/pcsx2/gui/ConsoleLogger.cpp b/pcsx2/gui/ConsoleLogger.cpp
index 66cf9b5360..d49e14d87a 100644
--- a/pcsx2/gui/ConsoleLogger.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2/gui/ConsoleLogger.cpp
@@ -589,9 +589,12 @@ void ConsoleLogFrame::OnIdleEvent( wxIdleEvent& evt )
 void ConsoleLogFrame::OnFlushEvent( wxCommandEvent& evt )
 {
 	ScopedLock locker( m_QueueLock );
-
 	m_pendingFlushMsg = false;
-	//if( m_TextCtrl.HasWriteLock() ) return;
+
+	// recursion guard needed due to Mutex lock/acquire code below.
+	static int recursion_counter = 0;
+	RecursionGuard recguard( recursion_counter );
+	if( recguard.IsReentrant() ) return;
 
 	if( m_CurQueuePos != 0 )
 	{
@@ -609,7 +612,9 @@ void ConsoleLogFrame::OnFlushEvent( wxCommandEvent& evt )
 			locker.Acquire();
 		}
 
-		DoFlushQueue();
+		if( m_CurQueuePos != 0 )
+			DoFlushQueue();
+
 		//m_TextCtrl.Thaw();
 	}
 
@@ -618,9 +623,6 @@ void ConsoleLogFrame::OnFlushEvent( wxCommandEvent& evt )
 	// paperwork.  But wxEVT_IDLE doesn't work when you click menus or the title bar of a window,
 	// making it pretty well annoyingly useless for just about anything. >_<
 
-	// Workaround: I added a Sleep(1) to the DoWrite method to give the GUI some time to
-	// do its paperwork.
-
 	if( m_WaitingThreadsForFlush > 0 )
 	{
 		do {
@@ -702,7 +704,7 @@ void Pcsx2App::ProgramLog_PostEvent( wxEvent& evt )
 static void __concall ConsoleToFile_Newline()
 {
 #ifdef __LINUX__
-	if (g_Conf->EmuOptions.ConsoleToStdio) ConsoleWriter_Stdio.Newline();
+	if (g_Conf->EmuOptions.ConsoleToStdio) ConsoleWriter_Stdout.Newline();
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __LINUX__
@@ -715,7 +717,7 @@ static void __concall ConsoleToFile_Newline()
 static void __concall ConsoleToFile_DoWrite( const wxString& fmt )
 {
 #ifdef __LINUX__
-	if (g_Conf->EmuOptions.ConsoleToStdio) ConsoleWriter_Stdio.DoWrite(fmt);
+	if (g_Conf->EmuOptions.ConsoleToStdio) ConsoleWriter_Stdout.DoWrite(fmt);
 #endif
 
 	px_fputs( emuLog, fmt.ToUTF8() );
@@ -731,12 +733,12 @@ static void __concall ConsoleToFile_DoWriteLn( const wxString& fmt )
 
 static void __concall ConsoleToFile_SetTitle( const wxString& title )
 {
-    ConsoleWriter_Stdio.SetTitle(title);
+    ConsoleWriter_Stdout.SetTitle(title);
 }
 
 static void __concall ConsoleToFile_DoSetColor( ConsoleColors color )
 {
-    ConsoleWriter_Stdio.DoSetColor(color);
+    ConsoleWriter_Stdout.DoSetColor(color);
 }
 
 extern const IConsoleWriter	ConsoleWriter_File;
@@ -746,6 +748,7 @@ const IConsoleWriter    ConsoleWriter_File =
 	ConsoleToFile_DoWriteLn,
 	ConsoleToFile_DoSetColor,
 
+	ConsoleToFile_DoWrite,
 	ConsoleToFile_Newline,
 	ConsoleToFile_SetTitle,
 };
@@ -799,6 +802,7 @@ static const IConsoleWriter	ConsoleWriter_Window =
 	ConsoleToWindow_DoWriteLn<ConsoleWriter_Null>,
 	ConsoleToWindow_DoSetColor<ConsoleWriter_Null>,
 
+	ConsoleToWindow_DoWrite<ConsoleWriter_Null>,
 	ConsoleToWindow_Newline<ConsoleWriter_Null>,
 	ConsoleToWindow_SetTitle<ConsoleWriter_Null>,
 };	
@@ -809,6 +813,7 @@ static const IConsoleWriter	ConsoleWriter_WindowAndFile =
 	ConsoleToWindow_DoWriteLn<ConsoleWriter_File>,
 	ConsoleToWindow_DoSetColor<ConsoleWriter_File>,
 
+	ConsoleToWindow_DoWrite<ConsoleWriter_File>,
 	ConsoleToWindow_Newline<ConsoleWriter_File>,
 	ConsoleToWindow_SetTitle<ConsoleWriter_File>,
 };
@@ -818,14 +823,14 @@ void Pcsx2App::EnableAllLogging() const
 	if( emuLog )
 		Console_SetActiveHandler( (m_ProgramLogBox!=NULL) ? (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_WindowAndFile : (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_File );
 	else
-		Console_SetActiveHandler( (m_ProgramLogBox!=NULL) ? (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Window : (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Buffered );
+		Console_SetActiveHandler( (m_ProgramLogBox!=NULL) ? (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Window : (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Stdout );
 }
 
 // Used to disable the emuLog disk logger, typically used when disabling or re-initializing the
 // emuLog file handle.  Call SetConsoleLogging to re-enable the disk logger when finished.
 void Pcsx2App::DisableDiskLogging() const
 {
-	Console_SetActiveHandler( (m_ProgramLogBox!=NULL) ? (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Window : (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Buffered );
+	Console_SetActiveHandler( (m_ProgramLogBox!=NULL) ? (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Window : (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Stdout );
 
 	// Semi-hack: It's possible, however very unlikely, that a secondary thread could attempt
 	// to write to the logfile just before we disable logging, and would thus have a pending write
@@ -834,7 +839,7 @@ void Pcsx2App::DisableDiskLogging() const
 	// when changing settings, so the chance for problems is low.  We minimize it further here
 	// by sleeping off 5ms, which should allow any pending log-to-disk events to finish up.
 	//
-	// (the most ideal solution would be a mutex lock in the Disk logger itself, but for now I
+	// (the most correct solution would be a mutex lock in the Disk logger itself, but for now I
 	//  am going to try and keep the logger lock-free and use this semi-hack instead).
 
 	Threading::Sleep( 5 );
@@ -842,6 +847,6 @@ void Pcsx2App::DisableDiskLogging() const
 
 void Pcsx2App::DisableWindowLogging() const
 {
-	Console_SetActiveHandler( (emuLog!=NULL) ? (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_File : (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Buffered );
+	Console_SetActiveHandler( (emuLog!=NULL) ? (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_File : (IConsoleWriter&)ConsoleWriter_Stdout );
 	Threading::Sleep( 5 );
 }
diff --git a/pcsx2/windows/WinConsolePipe.cpp b/pcsx2/windows/WinConsolePipe.cpp
index ed4e904a0a..eecb18bb61 100644
--- a/pcsx2/windows/WinConsolePipe.cpp
+++ b/pcsx2/windows/WinConsolePipe.cpp
@@ -84,9 +84,9 @@ protected:
 	const ConsoleColors m_color;
 
 public:
-	WinPipeThread( const HANDLE& outpipe, ConsoleColors color ) :
-		m_outpipe( outpipe )
-	,	m_color( color )
+	WinPipeThread( const HANDLE& outpipe, ConsoleColors color )
+		: m_outpipe( outpipe )
+		, m_color( color )
 	{
 		m_name = (m_color == Color_Red) ? L"Redirect_Stderr" : L"Redirect_Stdout";
 	}
@@ -150,8 +150,7 @@ protected:
 
 				// ATTENTION: The Console always prints ANSI to the pipe independent if compiled as UNICODE or MBCS!
 				s8_Buf[u32_Read] = 0;
-				OemToCharA(s8_Buf, s8_Buf);			// convert DOS codepage -> ANSI
-				Console.Write( m_color, s8_Buf );
+				Console.WriteFromStdout( m_color, s8_Buf );
 				
 				TestCancel();
 			}
@@ -187,12 +186,12 @@ public:
 	void Cleanup() throw();
 };
 
-WinPipeRedirection::WinPipeRedirection( FILE* stdstream ) :
-	m_readpipe(INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
-,	m_writepipe(INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
-,	m_crtFile(-1)
-,	m_fp(NULL)
-,	m_Thread( m_readpipe, (stdstream == stderr) ? Color_Red : Color_Black )
+WinPipeRedirection::WinPipeRedirection( FILE* stdstream )
+	: m_readpipe(INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
+	, m_writepipe(INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
+	, m_crtFile(-1)
+	, m_fp(NULL)
+	, m_Thread( m_readpipe, (stdstream == stderr) ? Color_Red : Color_Black )
 {
 	try
 	{
@@ -236,6 +235,7 @@ WinPipeRedirection::WinPipeRedirection( FILE* stdstream ) :
 	}
 	catch( ... )
 	{
+		Cleanup();
 		throw;
 	}
 }