Again, ASIO4ALL has caused problems for me just by virtue of being installed, without even using it. It's worth trying to uninstall and seeing if it makes a diff.
I still use it sometimes, but since I'm now aware of the issues I simply uninstall it after I'm done. I keep the installer on my hd for when I need it again. Takes all of 20 seconds to install or remove it.

Just reading in and noticing ASUS Sabertooth 990-FX board..using SSD drive...what is the controller for hard drives being used on the Motherboard?...MLC?..As I was using A similar model x58 Sabertooth with similar issues , clicking and popping, cpu issues, and bad performance with all attached....Just keep looking, but keep the idea in mind, that it could be the controller chip on the motherboard for the Drives you are using...Might be, might not...but for me tweaking everything to hell and back, has not solved for my issues with the Asus Sabertooth brand....So I suspect it may be faulty...
 
If you cannot solve for the issues no matter how much you tweak the settings...and driver updates and such do not resolve...then it has to be Something ...tying  sort of common things together may help route out the culprit. 
 
Luck and blessings!
 
Sir Les

thanks Les.
 
I haven't updated the mobo drivers in a while. I would also like to state that 8.5 is rock solid. I know more CPU sucking features are present in the 'X' series, but this is a very quick and stable system otherwise. The win7 rating is 7.7 out of 7.9.
 
here is the chipset for the drives:
JMicron® JMB362 controller :
2 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), black
1 x Power eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), green
1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port(s), red
 
Not using any eSATA ports.

No, I do not have anyone nearby that can let me borrow an interface. In order to resolve my issue, I would need to borrow a UFX and see if that is the issue. I would not want to have another interface that was not the standard to which I have spent all this money for.
 
There is a BIOS update and chipset update for my mobo. I am going to try an update to these and see if that helps or not.

I was told early into my Build for PT 9.0 to turn off the JMB controllers, by Sweetwater sound tech,..and use the MLC one...as there were problems with JMB back then......Seems I have issues with the MLC controller as well, and USB 3, I was then forced to use MLC for SATA because the AHCI worked better for win 7, and when used had less issues,...
 
Not saying you are having this type of issue at all......but look into it...google the controller and see if any issues have been noted...setting up the ssd correctly on a controller that is smooth was sweetwaters intentions for me and this board....well it was told with good intentions....But "I" suspect the older controller chips being used By Asus on their Sabertooth line, kinda problematic...
 
Something to read up on..?
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JMicron

So back to the general advice now...
 
* Run windows update
* Run http://forum.cakewalk.com/Driver-Boost-m2928792.aspx and double check all your drivers are up to date.
* Run chkdsk
* Defrag
 
Cheers...

Wow, that Boost utility is sweet. I had 12 drivers out of date. The ASUS utility said all of my drivers were up to date. Now I am going to restart the puter. I might be back... ;)

man, I almost had a meltdown. Evidently one of the drivers for the USB port was not the correct one. After updating the drivers, I restarted and the RME would not initialize or install. I also noticed that all of my restore points were gone. I almost had a heart attack.

After rolling back the drivers for the controllers and restarting, I was able to reinstall the RME and I am back in business. No real X3 performance issues yet other than pops when I press the stop button. I have only had a few minutes on it though. I need to make sure everything else is working fine and I don't have to reauthorize all my plugins and such.  Then I will set a restore point. I don't have a clue why they are not there. I know that some viruses will delete all restore points.
 
Thanks for the help so far guys I will report back later with my progress.
 

Psssst...don't tell Alex, but that Driver Boost program screwed my system, made mistakes in reporting that some of my drivers were out of date, and generally acted like a virus on my system.  Once I got rid of it, all functions works properly.  Beware of any  free program that tells you your system is screwed up because, often/usually they're just trying to get you to pay for their "professional" version.

To be fair, the Driver Boost program did give me a usable list of drivers that I often forget about.  I copied that list for future reference, but as Alex has suggested in the past, I go to the manufacturer's site to get the latest patches and download them myself.  My experience with Driver Boost may have been an anomaly to my system.  No disrespect, Alex.  You're still the sheriff.

Lynn
Psssst...don't tell Alex, but that Driver Boost program screwed my system, made mistakes in reporting that some of my drivers were out of date, and generally acted like a virus on my system.  Once I got rid of it, all functions works properly.  Beware of any  free program that tells you your system is screwed up because, often/usually they're just trying to get you to pay for their "professional" version.

+100 MILLION!
 
NEVER EVER use "utilities" like "driver boost"

I can tell you RIGHT NOW that they are laughed at in the IT world and we wouldnt dream of using a third party application like that to have access to scan our systems and pull down the drivers for us.

Manually learn how to do this if Windows or your hardware isnt taking care of it or go and see a professional.

CakeAlexS
Well my degree is in computer science and I still do stuff for Silicon valley even though I'm based in the UK, I regard myself as a professional in this field... anyway sorry it didn't work, you can definitely blame me ...

I shall refrain from Degrees in Computer Science jokes.....(18 years in the field here)

But, Driver Boost programmes and such are not only a security risk but they are a serious risk to your system as they are unverified, use them at your peril.

CakeAlexS
I beat you by five years ;). Anyway all I can say is it's always worked for me and I have checked it, if installed correctly it does not behave anything like what has been suggested. Generally I would agree with your advice though and yes maybe use with caution after what as happen here. And always very happy to say everything is all my fault again just so people don't get the wrong idea....

Yada Yada , I dont care how much experience one has - I really dont, (its no competition here, just good advice) and as such there is no OS in the world that would advise using Driver Boost or its lowly counterparts... Nor would any DAW company or major software house advise such things.

your first version was better...

CakeAlexS
OK then you win. I guess what you are actually saying is that I don't know what I'm talking about ;)... fair enough.. The results are on your side anyway. Blame me. Seriously do blame me, no need to respond, there is no sarcasm here it's truly fine and dandy here. What would I know about such things...

Come on Alex, dont get all self depreciating (especially with your edit of post)...you do an amazing job here....My quibble was about driver boost, nothing personal, the only win here is to help fellow Sonar users make the most out of their software.