diff --git a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/core/InternalBuildRunner.java b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/core/InternalBuildRunner.java
index 8c2cf096a4f..f50ce9993aa 100644
--- a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/core/InternalBuildRunner.java
+++ b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/core/InternalBuildRunner.java
@@ -173,8 +173,7 @@ public class InternalBuildRunner extends AbstractBuildRunner {
 					break;
 				case IBuildModelBuilder.STATUS_ERROR_LAUNCH:
 				default:
-					buf.append(ManagedMakeMessages
-							.getResourceString(BUILD_FAILED_ERR));
+					buf.append(ManagedMakeMessages.getResourceString(BUILD_FAILED_ERR));
 					break;
 				}
 				buf.append(System.getProperty("line.separator", "\n")); //$NON-NLS-1$//$NON-NLS-2$
@@ -194,8 +193,7 @@ public class InternalBuildRunner extends AbstractBuildRunner {
 				epmOutputStream.close();
 				epmOutputStream = null;
 				// Generate any error markers that the build has discovered
-				monitor.subTask(ManagedMakeMessages
-						.getResourceString(MARKERS));
+				monitor.subTask(ManagedMakeMessages.getResourceString(MARKERS));
 
 				bsMngr.setProjectBuildState(project, pBS);
 			} else {
diff --git a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/BuildProcessManager.java b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/BuildProcessManager.java
index ac5dfc450de..5525b20774b 100644
--- a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/BuildProcessManager.java
+++ b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/BuildProcessManager.java
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Map.Entry;
 import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.Vector;
 
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.buildmodel.IBuildCommand;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.IPath;
@@ -24,16 +25,13 @@ import org.eclipse.core.runtime.IProgressMonitor;
 
 /**
  * This class implements process pool management for internal builder 
- *
- * NOTE: This class is subject to change and discuss, 
- * and is currently available in experimental mode only
  */
 public class BuildProcessManager {
 	protected OutputStream out;
 	protected OutputStream err;
 	protected boolean show;
-	protected ProcessLauncher[] processes;
-	protected int maxProcesses;  
+	protected Vector<ProcessLauncher> processes;
+	protected int maxProcesses;
 	
 	/**
 	 * Initializes process manager
@@ -47,7 +45,7 @@ public class BuildProcessManager {
 		err = _err;
 		show = _show;
 		maxProcesses = _procNumber;
-		processes = new ProcessLauncher[maxProcesses];
+		processes = new Vector<ProcessLauncher>(Math.min(10, maxProcesses), 10);
 	}
 	
 	/**
@@ -67,18 +65,19 @@ public class BuildProcessManager {
 	 * @param monitor Progress monitor for this task 
 	 */
 	public ProcessLauncher launchProcess(IBuildCommand cmd, IPath cwd, IProgressMonitor monitor) {
-		if (hasEmpty()) {
-			int i = 0;
-			for (; i < maxProcesses; i++) {
-				if (processes[i] == null || processes[i].queryState() == ProcessLauncher.STATE_DONE) {
-					break;
-				}
+		for (int i = 0; i < maxProcesses; i++) {
+			if (i >= processes.size()) {
+				ProcessLauncher process = new ProcessLauncher(cmd.getCommand(), cmd.getArgs(), mapToStringArray(cmd.getEnvironment()), cwd, out, err, monitor, show);
+				processes.add(process);
+				process.launch();
+				return process;
+				
 			}
-			
-			if (i < maxProcesses) {
-				processes[i] = new ProcessLauncher(cmd.getCommand(), cmd.getArgs(), mapToStringArray(cmd.getEnvironment()), cwd, out, err, monitor, show);
-				processes[i].launch();
-				return processes[i];
+			if (processes.get(i).queryState() == ProcessLauncher.STATE_DONE) {
+				ProcessLauncher process = new ProcessLauncher(cmd.getCommand(), cmd.getArgs(), mapToStringArray(cmd.getEnvironment()), cwd, out, err, monitor, show);
+				processes.set(i, process);
+				process.launch();
+				return process;
 			}
 		}
 		return null;
@@ -90,36 +89,37 @@ public class BuildProcessManager {
 	 * returned as a result. Otherwise this method returns null.
 	 */
 	public ProcessLauncher queryStates() {
-		ProcessLauncher result = null;
-		
-		for (int i = 0; i < maxProcesses; i++) {
-			if (processes[i] != null) {
-				int state = processes[i].queryState();
-				if (state != ProcessLauncher.STATE_RUNNING) {
-					if (state != ProcessLauncher.STATE_DONE && result == null)
-						result = processes[i];
-				}
-			}
+		for (ProcessLauncher process : processes) {
+			int state = process.queryState();
+			if (state != ProcessLauncher.STATE_RUNNING && state != ProcessLauncher.STATE_DONE)
+				return process;
 		}
 		
-		return result;
+		return null;
 	}
 
 	/**
 	 * Checks states of all currently running processes. 
 	 */
 	public boolean hasEmpty() {
-		for (int i = 0; i < maxProcesses; i++) {
-			if (processes[i] == null) 
+		if (processes.size() < maxProcesses)
+			return true;
+		
+		for (ProcessLauncher process : processes) {
+			if (process.queryState() != ProcessLauncher.STATE_RUNNING) 
 				return true;
-			else {
-				if (processes[i].queryState() != ProcessLauncher.STATE_RUNNING) 
-					return true;
-			}
 		}
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Returns maximum threads used up to that point
+	 */
+	public int getThreadsUsed() {
+		return processes.size();
+	}
+	
+
 	
 	/**
 	 * Converts map to strings array
diff --git a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/ParallelBuilder.java b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/ParallelBuilder.java
index 814e0310bf8..b6e41fd3345 100644
--- a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/ParallelBuilder.java
+++ b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/buildmodel/ParallelBuilder.java
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.Iterator;
 import java.util.LinkedList;
+import java.util.Vector;
 
 import org.eclipse.cdt.core.CCorePlugin;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.buildmodel.IBuildCommand;
@@ -212,9 +213,10 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 		builder.enqueueAll(des);
 		builder.sortQueue();
 		monitor.beginTask("", builder.queue.size()); //$NON-NLS-1$
-		builder.dispatch(new BuildProcessManager(out, err, true, threads));
+		BuildProcessManager buildProcessManager = new BuildProcessManager(out, err, true, threads);
+		builder.dispatch(buildProcessManager);
+		lastThreadsUsed = buildProcessManager.getThreadsUsed();
 		monitor.done();
-		lastThreadsUsed = threads;
 		return IBuildModelBuilder.STATUS_OK;
 	}
 	
@@ -293,10 +295,8 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 	 * Dispatches the build queue and returns build status
 	 */
 	protected int dispatch(BuildProcessManager mgr) {
-		ActiveBuildStep[] active = new ActiveBuildStep[mgr.getMaxProcesses()];
-		for (int i = 0; i < active.length; i++) {
-			active[i] = null; // new ActiveBuildStep();
-		}
+		int maxProcesses = mgr.getMaxProcesses();
+		Vector<ActiveBuildStep> active = new Vector<ActiveBuildStep>(Math.min(maxProcesses, 10), 10);
 		
 		int activeCount = 0;
 		int maxLevel = 0;
@@ -330,9 +330,8 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 				proceed = false;
 			} else {
 				// Check "active steps" list for completed ones
-				for (int i = 0; i < active.length; i++) {
-					if (active[i] == null) continue;
-					ProcessLauncher pl = active[i].getLauncher();
+				for (ActiveBuildStep buildStep : active) {
+					ProcessLauncher pl = buildStep.getLauncher();
 					if (pl == null) continue; 
 					if (pl.queryState() == ProcessLauncher.STATE_DONE) {
 						// If process has terminated with error, break loop
@@ -343,8 +342,8 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 							break main_loop;
 						}
 						// Try to launch next command for the current active step
-						if (active[i].isDone()) continue;
-						if (active[i].launchNextCmd(mgr)) {
+						if (buildStep.isDone()) continue;
+						if (buildStep.launchNextCmd(mgr)) {
 							// Command has been launched. Check if process pool is not maximized yet
 							if (!mgr.hasEmpty()) {
 								proceed = false;
@@ -352,7 +351,7 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 							}
 						} else {
 							// Command has not been launched: step complete
-							refreshOutputs(active[i].getStep());
+							refreshOutputs(buildStep.getStep());
 							activeCount--;
 							monitor.worked(1);
 						}
@@ -371,7 +370,7 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 			}
 			
 			// Check if we need to schedule another process
-			if (queue.size() != 0 && activeCount < active.length) {
+			if (queue.size() != 0 && activeCount < maxProcesses) {
 				// Need to schedule another process 
 				Iterator<BuildQueueElement> iter = queue.iterator();
 
@@ -379,8 +378,8 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 				while (iter.hasNext()) {
 					BuildQueueElement elem = iter.next();
 					
-					// If "active steps" list is full, then break loop
-					if (activeCount == active.length)
+					// If "active steps" list reaches maximum, then break loop
+					if (activeCount == maxProcesses)
 						break;
 					
 					// If current element's level exceeds maximum level of currently built
@@ -389,14 +388,13 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 						break;
 
 					//Check if all prerequisites are built
-					IBuildResource[] res = elem.getStep().getInputResources();
 					boolean prereqBuilt = true;
-					for (int j = 0; j < res.length; j++) {
-						IBuildStep stp = res[j].getProducerStep(); // step which produces input for curr
+					for (IBuildResource bldRes : elem.getStep().getInputResources()) {
+						IBuildStep step = bldRes.getProducerStep(); // step which produces input for curr
 						boolean built = true;
-						if (stp != stp.getBuildDescription().getInputStep()) {
-							for (int k = 0; k < active.length; k++) {
-								if (active[k] != null && active[k].getStep().equals(stp) && !active[k].isDone()) {
+						if (step != step.getBuildDescription().getInputStep()) {
+							for (ActiveBuildStep buildStep : active) {
+								if (buildStep != null && buildStep.getStep().equals(step) && !buildStep.isDone()) {
 									built = false;
 									break;
 								}
@@ -415,10 +413,21 @@ public class ParallelBuilder {
 						// Remove element from the build queue and add it to the
 						// "active steps" list.
 						iter.remove();
-						for (int i = 0; i < active.length; i++) {
-							if (active[i] == null || active[i].isDone()) {
-								active[i] = new ActiveBuildStep(step);
-								if (active[i].launchNextCmd(mgr)) activeCount++;
+						for (int i = 0; i < maxProcesses; i++) {
+							if (i >= active.size()) {
+								// add new item
+								ActiveBuildStep buildStep = new ActiveBuildStep(step);
+								active.add(buildStep);
+								if (buildStep.launchNextCmd(mgr))
+									activeCount++;
+								break;
+							}
+							if (active.get(i).isDone()) {
+								// replace old item
+								ActiveBuildStep buildStep = new ActiveBuildStep(step);
+								active.set(i, buildStep);
+								if (buildStep.launchNextCmd(mgr))
+									activeCount++;
 								break;
 							}
 						}
diff --git a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Builder.java b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Builder.java
index b9e27e02f97..e5e7d187eb0 100644
--- a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Builder.java
+++ b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Builder.java
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.macros.IReservedMacroNameSupplier;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.makegen.IManagedBuilderMakefileGenerator;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.makegen.IManagedBuilderMakefileGenerator2;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.makegen.gnu.GnuMakefileGenerator;
-import org.eclipse.cdt.newmake.core.IMakeCommonBuildInfo;
 import org.eclipse.core.resources.IProject;
 import org.eclipse.core.resources.IncrementalProjectBuilder;
 import org.eclipse.core.runtime.Assert;
@@ -81,6 +80,7 @@ import org.eclipse.core.variables.VariablesPlugin;
 import org.osgi.framework.Version;
 
 public class Builder extends HoldsOptions implements IBuilder, IMatchKeyProvider<Builder>, IRealBuildObjectAssociation  {
+	public static final int UNLIMITED_JOBS = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
 	private static final String EMPTY_STRING = ""; //$NON-NLS-1$
 
 	//  Superclass
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@ public class Builder extends HoldsOptions implements IBuilder, IMatchKeyProvider
 		if (jobsNumber <= 0)
 			return VALUE_OPTIMAL;
 		
-		if (jobsNumber.equals(Integer.MAX_VALUE))
+		if (jobsNumber.equals(UNLIMITED_JOBS))
 			return VALUE_UNLIMITED;
 		
 		return jobsNumber.toString();
@@ -634,12 +634,7 @@ public class Builder extends HoldsOptions implements IBuilder, IMatchKeyProvider
 		if (VALUE_OPTIMAL.equals(value)) {
 			parallelNumberAttribute = -getOptimalParallelJobNum();
 		} else if (VALUE_UNLIMITED.equals(value)) {
-			if (!isInternalBuilder()) {
-				parallelNumberAttribute = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
-			} else {
-				ManagedBuilderCorePlugin.error("'unlimited' number of jobs is not allowed for Internal Builder, switching to 'optimal'");
-				parallelNumberAttribute = -getOptimalParallelJobNum();
-			}
+			parallelNumberAttribute = UNLIMITED_JOBS;
 		} else {
 			try {
 				parallelNumberAttribute = Integer.decode(value);
@@ -654,7 +649,7 @@ public class Builder extends HoldsOptions implements IBuilder, IMatchKeyProvider
 					parallelNumberAttribute = -getOptimalParallelJobNum();
 				} else {
 					// unlimited for External Builder
-					parallelNumberAttribute = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
+					parallelNumberAttribute = UNLIMITED_JOBS;
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -1176,7 +1171,7 @@ public class Builder extends HoldsOptions implements IBuilder, IMatchKeyProvider
 		}
 		// "unlimited" number of jobs results in not adding the number to parallelization cmd
 		// that behavior corresponds that of "make" flag "-j".
-		return processParallelPattern(pattern, num == Integer.MAX_VALUE, num);
+		return processParallelPattern(pattern, num == UNLIMITED_JOBS, num);
 	}
 	
 	/**
@@ -2537,9 +2532,9 @@ public class Builder extends HoldsOptions implements IBuilder, IMatchKeyProvider
 	 * <pre>
 	 *  Status       Returns
 	 * No parallel      1       
-	 * Optimal       -CPU#       (negative number of processors) 
-	 * Specific        >0        (positive number)
-	 * Unlimited    Integer.MAX  (N/A for Internal Builder)
+	 * Optimal       -CPU# (negative number of processors) 
+	 * Specific        >0  (positive number)
+	 * Unlimited    Builder.UNLIMITED_JOBS
 	 * </pre>
 	 */
 	public int getParallelizationNumAttribute() {
@@ -2570,10 +2565,6 @@ public class Builder extends HoldsOptions implements IBuilder, IMatchKeyProvider
 				setArgumentsAttribute(updatedArgs);
 			}
 
-			if (jobs == Integer.MAX_VALUE && isInternalBuilder()) {
-				// Internal Builder does not support "unlimited" jobs, switching to "optimal"
-				jobs = -1;
-			}
 			if (jobs > 0) {
 				parallelNumberAttribute = jobs;
 			} else {
diff --git a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Configuration.java b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Configuration.java
index 5d552fc9594..4ac53e132a9 100644
--- a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Configuration.java
+++ b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.core/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/internal/core/Configuration.java
@@ -81,7 +81,6 @@ import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.internal.macros.OptionContextData;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.macros.BuildMacroException;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.macros.IBuildMacroProvider;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.macros.IConfigurationBuildMacroSupplier;
-import org.eclipse.cdt.newmake.core.IMakeCommonBuildInfo;
 import org.eclipse.core.resources.IFile;
 import org.eclipse.core.resources.IResource;
 import org.eclipse.core.resources.IResourceDelta;
diff --git a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/ui/properties/BuildBehaviourTab.java b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/ui/properties/BuildBehaviourTab.java
index 543259ae733..02b45c20994 100644
--- a/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/ui/properties/BuildBehaviourTab.java
+++ b/build/org.eclipse.cdt.managedbuilder.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/managedbuilder/ui/properties/BuildBehaviourTab.java
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ public class BuildBehaviourTab extends AbstractCBuildPropertyTab {
 			public void widgetSelected(SelectionEvent event) {
 				if (b_parallelUnlimited.getSelection()) {
 					setParallelDef(true);
-					setParallelNumber(Integer.MAX_VALUE);
+					setParallelNumber(Builder.UNLIMITED_JOBS);
 					updateButtons();
 				}
 		 }});
@@ -347,9 +347,6 @@ public class BuildBehaviourTab extends AbstractCBuildPropertyTab {
 	private void updateParallelBlock() {
 		// note: for multi-config selection bldr is from Active cfg
 
-		boolean isAnyInternalBuilder = bldr.isInternalBuilder();
-		boolean isAnyExternalBuilder = ! bldr.isInternalBuilder();
-
 		boolean isParallelSupported = bldr.supportsParallelBuild();
 		boolean isParallelOn = bldr.isParallelBuildOn();
 		int triSelection = isParallelOn ? TRI_YES : TRI_NO;
@@ -357,7 +354,6 @@ public class BuildBehaviourTab extends AbstractCBuildPropertyTab {
 		int parallelizationNumInternal = bldr.getParallelizationNumAttribute();
 		int optimalParallelNumber = bldr.getOptimalParallelJobNum();
 		int parallelNumber = bldr.getParallelizationNum();
-		boolean isUnlimited = parallelizationNumInternal == Integer.MAX_VALUE;
 
 		if (icfg instanceof ICMultiItemsHolder) { 
 			IConfiguration[] cfgs = (IConfiguration[])((ICMultiItemsHolder)icfg).getItems();
@@ -372,19 +368,15 @@ public class BuildBehaviourTab extends AbstractCBuildPropertyTab {
 				
 				isAnyParallelOn = isAnyParallelOn || builder.isParallelBuildOn();
 				isAnyParallelSupported = isAnyParallelSupported || builder.supportsParallelBuild();
-				isAnyInternalBuilder = isAnyInternalBuilder || builder.isInternalBuilder();
-				isAnyExternalBuilder = isAnyExternalBuilder || !builder.isInternalBuilder();
 			}
 
 			// reset initial display to "optimal" to enhance user experience:
 			if ((!isParallelSupported && isAnyParallelSupported) // parallel is supported by other than Active cfg
-				|| (!isParallelOn && isAnyParallelOn) // prevent showing the 1 job as parallel in the spinner
-				|| (isUnlimited && isAnyInternalBuilder) // can't show "unlimited" as it won't be selectable if Internal Builder present
+					|| (!isParallelOn && isAnyParallelOn) // prevent showing the 1 job as parallel in the spinner
 				) {
 				isParallelSupported = true;
 				parallelizationNumInternal = -optimalParallelNumber;
 				parallelNumber = optimalParallelNumber;
-				isUnlimited = false;
 			}
 			if (isParallelSupported && isParallelDiffers) {
 				triSelection = TRI_UNKNOWN;
@@ -394,7 +386,7 @@ public class BuildBehaviourTab extends AbstractCBuildPropertyTab {
 		b_parallel.setVisible(isParallelSupported);
 		b_parallelOptimal.setVisible(isParallelSupported);
 		b_parallelSpecific.setVisible(isParallelSupported);
-		b_parallelUnlimited.setVisible(isParallelSupported && isAnyExternalBuilder);
+		b_parallelUnlimited.setVisible(isParallelSupported);
 		s_parallelNumber.setVisible(isParallelSupported);
 
 		if (isParallelSupported) {
@@ -404,10 +396,11 @@ public class BuildBehaviourTab extends AbstractCBuildPropertyTab {
 			b_parallelOptimal.setText(MessageFormat.format(Messages.BuilderSettingsTab_UseOptimalJobs, optimalParallelNumber));
 			b_parallelOptimal.setEnabled(isParallelSelected);
 			b_parallelSpecific.setEnabled(isParallelSelected);
-			b_parallelUnlimited.setEnabled(isParallelSelected && !isAnyInternalBuilder);
+			b_parallelUnlimited.setEnabled(isParallelSelected);
 	
 			if (isParallelSelected) {
 				boolean isOptimal = parallelizationNumInternal <= 0;
+				boolean isUnlimited = parallelizationNumInternal == Builder.UNLIMITED_JOBS;
 				
 				b_parallelOptimal.setSelection(isOptimal);
 				b_parallelSpecific.setSelection(!isOptimal && !isUnlimited);