diff --git a/api/boinc_api.cpp b/api/boinc_api.cpp
index fbdc18a432..d81fbb5396 100644
--- a/api/boinc_api.cpp
+++ b/api/boinc_api.cpp
@@ -989,9 +989,11 @@ int start_timer_thread() {
         return errno;
     }
     
-    // lower our (worker thread) priority
-    //
-    SetThreadPriority(worker_thread_handle, THREAD_PRIORITY_IDLE);
+    if (!options.normal_thread_priority) {
+        // lower our (worker thread) priority
+        //
+        SetThreadPriority(worker_thread_handle, THREAD_PRIORITY_IDLE);
+    }
 #else
     pthread_attr_t thread_attrs;
     pthread_attr_init(&thread_attrs);
diff --git a/api/boinc_api.h b/api/boinc_api.h
index 31f57d1768..6f23021a65 100644
--- a/api/boinc_api.h
+++ b/api/boinc_api.h
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ typedef struct BOINC_OPTIONS {
     int backwards_compatible_graphics;
         // V6 apps should set this so that "Show Graphics" will work
         // with pre-V6 clients
+    int normal_thread_priority;
+        // run app at normal thread priority on Win.
+        // (default is idle priority)
 } BOINC_OPTIONS;
 
 typedef struct BOINC_STATUS {
@@ -145,6 +148,7 @@ inline void boinc_options_defaults(BOINC_OPTIONS& b) {
     b.direct_process_action = 1;
     b.worker_thread_stack_size = 0;
     b.backwards_compatible_graphics = 1;
+    b.normal_thread_priority = 0;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/checkin_notes b/checkin_notes
index efb249d9c3..d12fe41890 100644
--- a/checkin_notes
+++ b/checkin_notes
@@ -10180,3 +10180,11 @@ David  16 Dec 2008
             db_conn.inc
         ops/
             autolock.php
+
+David  16 Dec 2008
+    - API: add "normal_thread_priority" to BOINC_OPTIONS.
+        If set, the worker thread runs at normal priority on Win.
+        May be useful for CUDA apps.
+
+    api/
+        boinc_api.cpp,h