Audio interface cracks and pops

Hi there,
 
I've recently bought and set up a home studio with a pair of Yamaha's HS8, Novation Audiohub 2x4 and Rean connectors.
At first I was experiencing constant cracks, pops and slowed audio playback.
I researched the internet thoroughly and found similar issues but not with this Audiohub in particular, but with other interface brands as well (e.g. Focusrite, to which Novation is the same inside, yeah).
I mingled with the Windows 10 options and settings in accordance to what I researched on the internet about this problem, and I finally made it go away when I connected my Audiohub to a 3.0 port on my motherboard which was weird to say the least.
Now, I'm having other issues. For instance, whenever I restart my PC, get back into Windows and start playing something, I only hear some absolutely horrible high-pitched noise through my monitors and it doesn't go away until I either switch between audio sources (within windows playback devices) or I switch through the Audiohub's driver presets regarding latency/bitrate.
Second issue is that after a little while the Audiohub gets disconnected from Windows and I get an error something like ''stopped working, malfunctioned, bla bla''. I need to unplug and plub back in the interface USB. And yes, the Power management for the USB hubs are not set to power savings.
3rd and last issue is that with all good and dandy, I still hear some subtle cracks and pops from time to time during music playback, and it makes me think this Audiohub is the issue again.
 
I still have a few days if I am to return this interface, so please, anyone with some helpful insight on this, I would immensely appreciate any help in fixing this.
Otherwise, please recommend me something within similar budget if I am to have absolutely no luck with Novation.
 
I'm on the AMD platform, by the way.
 
I'll be around to help with further info if need be.
 
Thank you

I turned USB power saving to OFF, and verified that individually in Device Manager too. As far as latency goes, I got DPC yesterday to check it and it's sitting at 550-650.
How can I access my ASIO buffer settings? My Audiohub driver only installed me a small single page Control Panel which lets me choose between Recording, Balanced and Mixing; and I've had these problems with all 3, even though Recording claims to have the lowest latency profile. Latency within DPC remains the same when I shuffle through these 3.
 
Thanks for the link by the way!

As far as ASIO goes, I installed ASIO4All and checked there. It's sitting at 44.1-96kHz, 32Bits, 512 Samples.
My Novation driver only gives me 3 of their presets and I can't change anything else there individually.
I don't have Sonar.
By the way, what would cause the interface to just disconnect itself every 1-2hours? Windows says it's malfunctioning and whatnot, and I have to replug the USB cable.

Just found out that the Audient ID4 is probably what I'm looking for since there are so many positive reviews especially from people who previously tried focusrite/novation and had a hard time with cracks/pops/driver issues all around. This one just seems to work as it's meant to, and seems to have a high reputation of solid drivers.
 
Thinking about trying it out.
Anyone have any other recommendations in a $200 budget?
 
Thank you.

I did, and it consists of only a small control panel that controls the buffer/latency only through 3 available presets, none of which resolve my issues. There's nothing else.
I just read from certain reviews/forums where focusrite and presonus were mentioned to have driver issues; of course, these problems are not experienced by the vast majority as there are too many factors in mind (amd/intel, interferences, whatnot).
I did read on sweetwater quite a lot and found out that the Audient are quite above focusrite and others in that price range, both hardware and software; and there are also reviews on the ID4 where people mentioned having driver crashes with focusrite but none with the Audient (hence my gut telling me this would be what I'm looking for?)
 
Also heard that Audient gives a more natural detailed sound compared to focusrites where it's a tad colored.
 
I don't know anymore, lol, but I can't find disappointed people with the ID4...so I guess they're both viable choices?

Thank you for the insight. I'll take that into account.
I haven't tried any software yet as I find no point in it since my interface craps out during basic music playback...
 
I'll research further.