We've both got good points, Bill!

I might disagree with the premise that it takes a CPU new generation before the bugs are ironed out of a major VSTi, though. Usually, most of the best ones are relatively ready to go at launch, and seldom do you have to wait more than a few months to get a smoothly running patch. They simply wouldn't sell if that were the case!

It is a year or more (often much more!) before major CPU architecture changes. If you had to wait that long, no-one would buy the initial release! Just out of curiosity, how often have you upgraded your CPU and MOBO on your Wersi? And how long have you have the Wersi?

Studio actually stresses the computer a bit LESS than live, because you always have the option to render and turn off one VSTi if it chokes your CPU. No such luck with live!