VST e-drumming stress test: achieving the lowest possible latencies (such as 5 ms total latency) on the most affordable hardware (computer and audio interface) 👉

Regarding the frequently made claim that such a “lowest buffer size configuration” can only be used without issues on high-end CPUs (which are, of course, expensive):

One of my stress test runs was conducted on a Windows computer with an i7 CPU (with a default clock speed of 4.0 GHz) from 2014 (on which, by the way, Windows 10 runs without any issues, ensuring compatibility with current audio hardware and software), and one took place on a six-year-old i5 CPU (with a default clock speed of 3.7 GHz, also a Windows machine). By the way, I’m referring to this latency measurement thread.
The stress test involves using an SD3 instance in Reaper with the smallest buffer sizes for the specified and tested audio interfaces. It has Reaper-internal routing of 9 SD3 output channels, and a large number of SD3 audio effects are inserted (number: approx. 150–200), which drives up the real-time CPU load (in idle state, i.e., when not playing, to approx. 60–85% RT CPU usage in Reaper). Then I play and try to further load the real-time CPU by drumming rapidly on many different kit pieces, including numerous simultaneous strikes with all limbs, while monitoring and examining the audio output for glitches.


Result: Well, what can I say? These old machines (which you can pick up for flea market prices these days) are surprisingly “glitch-free,” proving wrong the claim that the absolute lowest possible software drumming latencies can only be achieved with expensive computer and audio interface equipment. 😊
Let's look at the lowest price range: $200-300 for the comuter and the audio interface (The average used price for a Motu M2 is $100–150 in the United States)

What matters when it comes to the CPU and the computer? : As high a default clock speed as possible and audio-optimized OS and BIOS settings.