Since the Cubase 8.5.10 update I have been using AG2 (previously VEP was set Inactive) on Medium at 256 samples, 32bit float at 44.1, but after around 10 fully loaded vsti and EQs etc., it is beginning to look like a bit of a load for Cubase= around 70%, although the same vsti, without VEP, has to start being Rendered, after this point, especially if MIR is on in Cubase and not integrated into VEP.
I may try a Low AG2 setting on a larger project: it is no good me making things happen (test project); I prefer a real scenario approach and see how far this can go. Will post outcome, if there is any difference in AG2 being Off, Low or Medium. Also, it is possible to work with 512 samples most of the time, in fact some other programs seem to prefer this, so that would be less strain on Cubase; this is sometimes preferable in Mixdown.
NB: I have a slave (Lenovo M92 i5 16GB) with VEP/samplers... loaded, which I have had to use for a super large project: Cubase meter= around 20-30%.
see: http://www.steinberg.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=226&t=70905&sid=de71e1b0a0c081b719fa454a2a6039d8&start=25
& https://www.steinberg.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=226&t=70905&sid=2796aed16c9e002d705d3d6ba94261dd
Been working on large project with VEP(2xBuffers) with AG2 Enabled, which was set to Highest and using 256 samples: worked great until I reached a certain number of tracks (12+) and either or both programs began to freeze or dysfunction in very irritating ways, plus the muting seemed to give me enough time to write several emails..., between track selection. Spent an hour or two fiddling and trying to cope, whilst adding various components to my composition, but alas, all to no avail. So turned VEP's AG2 Off (still on Highest for other VST), within C8.5 and CPU freezing, Disk Overload etc., deceased. I may use 128 samples, but still have a few useful 32bit VST, which, even though JBridged, prefer 256 samples. Hope this helps the debate. p