New Pc build, but what cpu is the best for intensive plugin (vst3) use?

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#1

Hi there,

I’m planning to build a new pc for live use. I’m using a lot of vst3 plugins but i’m always struggling with loading time of some samples and latency. I’m using a RME Babyface Pro fs as audio device. The current latency is 512 with 48 khz. when i go to 256 i can get sometimes hiccups or spikes. I’m using a i7 8700 with 32gb ram.

I’m planning to buy a AMD 7950X3D but IT-specialist try to convince me that a AMD 7800x3D is a better option.
Is there someone who has any experience with one of these cpu’s ?

Gr David

#2

I can’t answer the actual question, but do you still get the occasional glitches after applying the principles of Brad’s “Glitch Free” book?

Also, is ASIO4ALL an option? Maybe the provided drivers are at fault.

#3

Yes, I’m convinced that I have tried everything to get the best results. I can play 2 or 3 VSTI with 64 samples and with 48 kHz. But I am a heavy user of VSTI, and I have a live set of 15 to 20 songs per set. It’s safer with this hardware to keep it in 512 samples.

#4

I haven’t tried those particular processors, but my experience is similar to OP’s (I’ve tried everything to reduce glitches and can’t get below 512 samples safely on my high-end laptop). On paper, the AMD 7950X3D option seems superior in every respect (faster clock, more cores, larger caches), so I would expect it to do best.

A few tips that I haven’t found in any guide, but that have worked wonders for me:

  • Launching multiple copies of a VST and spreading notes between them using SpreadVST has changed my life. It often halves my Time Load in Cantabile’s Performance Profiler with no discernible sacrifice in sound quality.
  • Thunderbolt 3 & 4 audio interfaces are faster than USB because the Windows 10/11 Thunderbolt software stack is more performant than its USB stack.
  • If playing many sampled instruments, having huge amounts of ram is important. I need at least 64GB to keep all samples in memory for 15 songs.
#5

FWIW, I’m using a gaming laptop with an i5 9300h, 16 gigs of RAM. Running this as a live mixer/recorder with about 14 audio inputs, each with a good 2 to 4 VSTs each (filtering, EQ, compression, gating, the usual), plus 4 outputs, each with a graphic EQ and compressor/limiter, plus a basic reverb for in-ear monitors.

Using a Behringer UMC1820.

I’m also experimenting using Sampletank to trigger pads for a song or two. All of this running at the same time live.

48khz and a buffer set to 256. No glitches.

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#6

Sometimes having the latest powerful i9 is useless. The graphics card (or its driver) can generate DPC events, that wipe out the processor’s performance.
I can say this because it has happened to me several times. That’s why I prefer processors with integrated graphics.
It makes no sense to use an RTX3080 or 4080 for a system that does not use graphics, but needs to produce music.

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#7

One thing is sure DON’T use Asio4all with an RME card wich provides the absolute best driver for their card.
I use a Ryzen 7700X with 32gb RAM, RME RayDat and I’m very pleased with the results. ASIO driver if of paramount importance. RME is usually rock solid. As suggested, make sure to read the documentation that Brad wrote “glitch free…”

I use 128 buffer to stay on the very safe side but it runs well at 64

#8

Demand is the factor.
A system which can run well at 64 will certainly not run well at that buffer when demanding plugins are being run hard. We all know that some plugin synths can break a well spec’d desktop machine into a sweat.
Optimizing demand is as crucial as optimizing spec.

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#9

Same here, the UMC202HD at 48khz and buffers at 256 runs great, I do try to avoid big sample based instruments but it never has a problem with huge drumkits in Superior Drummer

#10

that’s the key - I’m running a pretty complex setup with dozens of active plugins per song and >170 pre-loaded on a boring old Core i5 at 128 samples buffer. I’ve optimized my arsenal of plugins over the years and eliminated all CPU and memory hogs.

And I’ve moved completely away from laptops or NUCs - using mini desktops helps eliminate most of the the tricky power management hiccups

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#11

And even memory hogs can be great if given room to operate and used ‘sensibly’. My laptops are also i5s
Cantabile’s ability to direct power where and when it’s needed allows these machines to punch way above their weight.

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