Cactus Music
Actually Focurite Scarletts are not good performers compared to Motu or RME. 
From every long winded thread I've ever read on this forum it would seem you buy an RME if you want all interface issues to go away.

I agree with this, but he did say least expensive and RME and MOTU don't quite fall into that category for most people.

But he wants top latency performance which will then mean the least expensive units from RME. I'd say Motu as well but lately there's been reported driver issues. I'm hoping they have it resolved by the time I buy a new interface as I like the idea behind the Ultra lite MKII. 

glennstanton
here's Jim's testing: http://forum.cakewalk.com/i76850k-vs-i77700k-vs-Ryzen-1800x-m3578609.aspx

In all honesty, exactly like I expected. So the only thing that's been correct here is that Jim is not to blame.
You (not Jim) have made the mistake everyone makes with Ryzen: It came out as "the worst" in comparison of these 3 top chips in one category, most likely because it's single core performance is worse than it's competitors. The conclusion that "it's a bad chip for audio" is false. Compare it to other CPUs commonly used around here, in Apples etc. and you'll find it's a great chip again. Just a side note: This test was done in March, since then couple of Microcode updates have been released which have also speed up DRAM and that way most applications and benchmarks.
 
Thanks to everyone for suggesting the right hardware, I'll check em out for sure! 

Vilovilo
Then ,your soundcard seems to be pci based and you should have better results with a pcie based card.
Rme hdspe aio is good bargain here in Europa on the second hand market

 
Yes it helps a lot. Funny, I came to look up exactly this card on Ebay a while ago. But to be honest, this is still too expensive for me.
 
I should have clarified the price range: As cheap as possible, 200€ max.

Cactus Music
But he wants top latency performance which will then mean the least expensive units from RME. I'd say Motu as well but lately there's been reported driver issues. I'm hoping they have it resolved by the time I buy a new interface as I like the idea behind the Ultra lite MKII. 

Not to highjack the thread, but I *think* the Motu issues are behind them (the driver issues were from last year.)  I have been watching this issue as I really want to buy at Motu Ultralite AVB.

MOTU is or has issued new drivers for some devices but not others.  One of the thing the new drivers do is add USB 3.0 support.  Many devices either did not work at all with USB 3.0 or were intermittent (drop outs).  Not sure what else the newer drivers do.  Sadly, my MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid is not included in the new drivers and I can't use USB 3.0, which is what the USB ports on the rear I/O panel are on my new PC (USB 3.0 and USB 3.1). 
 
I also have a Focusrite 6i6 2nd gen.  The lowest (reliable) latency I can get with it is about 2ms greater than the MOTU.

fireberd
Sadly, my MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid is not included in the new drivers and I can't use USB 3.0, which is what the USB ports on the rear I/O panel are on my new PC (USB 3.0 and USB 3.1). 

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Female-Plate-Adapter-USBPLATE4/dp/B00015Y0FK

So what about the cheaper USB interfaces, like from RME. Will they improve anything regarding latency or dropouts over my old M-Audio?
Seems like nothing from RME is exactly cheap.
 

occide

glennstanton
here's Jim's testing: http://forum.cakewalk.com/i76850k-vs-i77700k-vs-Ryzen-1800x-m3578609.aspx

You (not Jim) have made the mistake everyone makes with Ryzen: 

not me :-) i only provided my insight on Delta cards...

Can't say for Ryzen but my ancient Delta 66 is rock solid under Windows 10 on an Intel box. Super low latency under load and no pops or clicks running at 44.1k 64 samples using Vsti like Ivory or kontakt etc.
 
That being said, I upgraded last year to a MOTU Ultralite AVB and the difference in the sound of the converters is easily noticeable.  With the latest drivers I'm running the MOTU at 44.1k, 64 samples and a 16 safety buffer for a RTL of about 3.6ms and I can easily track complex piano parts in Ivory or Ravenscroft, balls out on polyphony, mics etc without a click or a pop. This is with Reaper, Samplitude ProX3 or Studio One 3.5. I'm pretty sure it would be the same under Sonar.
 
If stability, long term support and performance of drivers delivering true low latency is at the top of your list, I would say save your pennies for RME, MOTU or LynX but again I don't know how the Ryzen will figure into this.