I've booted a 64 bit 2.6.32 kernel on dual processor, quad core Xeon 
E5440 machine. The load average when the machine is idle varies between 
2 and 3.

When using a 2.6.31 kernel on the same machine, the load average when 
idle is nearly 0

The kernel doesn't use modules - all that is needed is compiled in. The 
machine uses NFS-root

Strangely, when I run 'iftop' (from http://www.ex-parrot.com/pdw/iftop/) 
using the 2.6.32 kernel, the load average drops to below 0.5  - stop 
running iftop, and the load average climbs again ...

Any idea what might be causing this?

I've attached the .config used

Thanks

James Pearson