Hi guys,
 
In need of an upgrade but my budget dictates a choice to be made.  Either a new MBD/CPU/RAM combo or an RME sound card.  I can't quite stretch to both at the moment but trying to establish just what would bring me the best improvement regarding plugs/vsti load and latency performance.
 
Currently I'm still using a very reliable EMU0404 PCIe and can run at 2-5ms Latency on small projects.  Quickly, I have to pull back and on larger projects, start freezing soon enough.  I see some comments on RME's having superb drivers and can help with performance but I'm not sure just how much of a difference such an upgrade would make to my current system and if I'd be better off going with CPU etc...
 
Intel DualCore 2.8ghz / 8gb ram / Win 7 64bit 
 
Much appreciate your experience/advice on the matter.

If you're happy with your existing interface, the answer seems to be a bit of a no brainer.
 
You'll notice a HUGE difference if you upgrade your core elements of Mobo/CPU/RAM
 
You might also be able to save a bit of cash if you can source identical RAM to your existing chip(s), this will of course depend on Mobo compatibility and how many slots/sticks are in the equation

^ Jonesey is spot on with this, A PC hardware upgrade will have a far better result than an RME if you are after raw power. You will be able to keep latencies lower for longer with a better cpu and although ram is another performance avenue, 8 gig is possibly enough if ££ is an issue for now unless you are using a lot of orchestral templates for instance

Spot on Rob  

There are definitely situations where an interface upgrade will improve your latency figures significantly, but I think the E-MU already scores well, having some DSP on board to handle audio routing, and using a PCI slot as opposed to a USB connection.
 
You'd probably gain most improvement from upgrading the system around it. Eventually you may want a new card simply because the E-MU card is getting old and on  the edge of being supported (both on the hardware and software side of things).

Thanks guys.  Makes my decision pretty clear  ;>

 I'd go with the RME.   It's like going from a Yugo to a Mercedes.  I don't know what happened to EMU but they seem non existent.   Your current system really can't be upgraded.  You would have to replaced the board and RAM since the socket 775 is no longer around. I assume you are also using DDR2 RAM. 
 
 Go all out. New hardware on both ends and enjoy.

A real quandary.  A new computer is probably the cheapest way to improve your ... software.  Makes sense - more memory, more speed, yada yada yada.
 
On the other hand, RME has some of the best drivers in the business, which means less strain on your system, less latency, etc.
 
If I had to make a choice it would be a computer.  One can't be sure until you switch everything out, but you are likely to get much better performance from a new CPU etc.  while latency probably won't be more than w/ the RME, everything else will in the virtual world will - effects, soft synths, not glitching at making changes while playing back, etc.
 
As far as sound - converters are one of the last things that make a difference after source, room, mic, preamp.  Don't discount it, but you are talking about the last couple of percentage of quality much easier achieved w/ proper recording/mixing techniques and arrangement.  Hugh or one of the SOS testers used the emu as his benchmark since he found it top in the class of what might be called prosumer interfaces.  this was a few years ago, but converter tech has been good for a while and hasn't got that much better for the price range.  RME would be better, I imagine, but not night and day.  Instead, you get a computer that makes engineering easier, and fun.  Which will help your sound more than a few extra dBs of headroom.
 
@

Good stuff AT.  Thanks!