Technical processing question(s)

Hi all,

I have a question about processing.

The set up:

Lets say that i created a patch using bach score that allows me to generate notes on a staff. After choosing what notes to use and durations, i can start generating notes on the score. This process will run (or should be able to) run to infinity.

Systems that were compared:

1. Macbook pro 15" late 2011 . 16gb ram, 2.2GHz i7 quad core processor. 500GB SSD.

2. Macbook pro 13" late 2016 (touch bar) 8gb ram 2.9GHz i5 dual core processor, 500GB SSD.

Results:

I input the exact same parameters into each machine, hit space bar to start the process at exactly the same time and let the process run, generating continuous 16th notes on the score. After 1000 notes into the process, the 13" 2016 was behind the 2011 by almost 100 notes. By 1200 into the process the 15" 2011 started getting stuck - i.e. the numbers stopped changing while the 2016 smoothly chugged along, although still behind. Eventually the 2011 got 'unstuck' , jumped ahead 100 numbers (which means it WAS processing, just not showing on the screen) and started processing again. But by around 1900 notes it finally stopped processing completely and gave a spinning wheel. The 2016 however kept going, slowing down but finally passing up the 2011 and continuing towards infinity.

Question(s):

Why did the 2011 start out faster than the 2016 but eventually fail while the 2016 kept on going? Is this type of experiment dealing with processor, or RAM or HD speed, or mixed... (graphics- because it was process in the background)? If it is just processor then the newly released MBP 15" Kaby Lake 3,1GHz should show dramatic improvement over my 2011? If it is just ram, then I should wait until fall or spring and a possible upgrade to 32 GB ram in MBP machines? If it is mixed then I should wait?

Any thoughts?