Good answer caligraphics!
Also, with this Particle-Instancer-Replacement method, you can also Software Render your scene as well
Good luck!
Don't forget to check out my video tutorials on Dynamic Explosions, as I cover Particle Instancing, as well as a Ridid Body technique as well
Israel "Izzy" Long
Motion and Title Design for Broadcast-Film-DS
izzylong.com