I found this similar on the Avid Forums.
Seems this person went to extremes with remote help, and they found nothing wrong.
 
http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=348836
 
 
I will keep looking into this, as it seems to be a hardware issue...possible a bad batch of cpu or the like...?
 
Just trying to solve for, so others who have issues with DAWs overcome..and with out going in circles...resolve.
 
Thanks to all who tried to help, and continue to do so...
 
Sir Les

I recall the Atari Falcon 68060/ Motorola single cpu...GEM OS or TOS X..one of my dream machines way back in the hay day...working with 8megs, doing 8 tracks of audio, and 16 midi tracks, with old 8meg ide drives...Today we toss 16megs or more, multi cores cpu, and fast SSD's GB and HDD TB, and WIN xp, win7, and now 8.1 into the fray...With sometimes less , Sometimes with more Problems than its predecessors....funny how that is...also noted here....sometimes more is less, and less is more...problematic....Just saying...;)

Alex...I wiped out my drive in this thread, with your word attached..and installed with no tweaks to the os , as you asked, and installed the drivers of the system, and then the audio driver ..and installed very little there after, with Bugs just installing drivers for the audio/ in conflict with the onboard nic...and you want me to back that up?....right from the get go, and install onto, We seemed to go through problems...and the cpu problem still there.
 
Now that advise to back up is moot ..in this regard....Back ups when all is working would be a thought of merit...but it seems I have not had that grace bestowed upon me YET with this system....and when it is all working, that would be the time to do that...As I am still troubleshooting and wiping out the OS and all installed, waiting on parts RMA ...In this thread...Your comment is ignorance of that state I make pointed.
 
And if everything is constantly being updated/fixed/upgraded...then perhaps one should just wait before Buying into anything PC and or software and hardware...and save save save those big big bucks till they work out the bugs in a final rendition?...never gona happen any time soon, as this has been going on for years!!!!!...cause backing up Bugs and bad code is pointless...I could/SHould Bunt back at yah.  </;-)

So in breaking the circle of Moot...Thanks Alex for your input so far, and all the other posters...I would like to apologize for my worded babble of interest to some...And move forward in seeking the solutions...(told there are none in this case = Probably a bad motherboard)
 
Allen and Heath technician called me earlier on, and told me to take the system out of the mix...and build something newer, that would support the SSD drives better....
We went over the issues...and they could not help, as this R16 mixing desk is no longer being R&D in their establishment.
And most of their techs are now trained on the newer Thunder bolt technologies coming into play and their new Mixing desks.
 
My move now is...?....I have purchased New Asus Motherboards z87, Pro, Deluxe quad, with this Thunderbolt on two, and one without...32gb of corsair vengeance ram, cpu 4770k...and a new PSU from corsair  AX850  ...the PSU from corsair, seems to burn out the two Boards I connected to it...SO RMA in now being sought with Corsair...if They find their PSU product defective, and causing my issues with the new stuff..cpu 4770k and memory...if burnt out...I will be compensated for the cost their of, or replacement parts at their expense.
 
So...buying parts..when doing so...always be mindful of ...The Cash Cow Principle and Murphies Law....cause these two things apply to everything!....
 
Right Alex?...sorry for the bunting

Found this tidbit:
 
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/815841-sonar-x2-keep-spiking-my-cpu-meters.html
 
Seems more may have this cpu spiking problem then let on by CW.
 
At the end of the thread of that link..the OP mentions, he turned off Multi threading, and Sonar worked for him.

It is interesting that Plug ins of old, and some new do not seem to work right with Sonar as well.
 
Perhaps something is not working on the hardware side of things...like sata controller, or something else where the cpu reports to the os...causing a spike to occur?...any way just saying there are others who have cpu spiking, and it is not unknown to CW, as this has been reported ....and I also have reported it...along with all the other stuff...might have made a muddle, but it was reported...So ...no matter what you have Alex working nice and dandy...other people are having issues...not saying it is Sonar's fault , not saying it is pilot error...could be MS...or hardware, or the ASIO using certain other devices and certain other hardware...finding the comb and routing out the problem may be a bit of a long haul...and to stay focused and attentive to the issues being found...may uncover and solve for in time.
 
I had a UAD solo..perhaps it did some damage to something else, like the cpu when trying it in sonar?

Well Building My monster PC machines, with supposedly Quality Parts...doesn't seem to address the Plug in problems in any way (Bad code is bad code)...if plug ins use a standard (linking system = X) and if the code uses the hardware correctly (mandates these confines be used =driver or machine codes, with code to call on or do Z function of) Then all of the software DAWs if as you say do not function correctly with other code made to work with...means Code is buggy...if all things are working on the hardware side of things as they should be.
 
Yes hunting down the root or cause for, when all seems right, or was before installing X software...seems kind of pointed towards Bad Code.
 
But that could be the final outcome....UAD made bad code, which damaged something else, even though the UAD is removed and the driver is uninstalled, and all plugins...it or the software trying to use it in the wrong way caused some of the hardware to be damaged.
 
Not sayin it is this or that yet...but look at all the complaints for UAD...that may be my next forum search  for more similar cpu spiking problems...If they are responsible enough to admit a issue like this... if enough people complain...what compensation would there be for those who now have defective CPUs?
 
Alex no matter how much your machine runs 8 tracks of inputs and outputs...You have to tweak some settings in windows...to do DAW work...I do not care what you say about that.
And when problems arise like I have had over the years...one has to tweak more, to route out what is causing it...so turning off redundant background apps and services can be ruled out as the cause...which leads more to hardware or software being used, being the culprit.
 
As this was a bug hunt...those methods used...helped reduce, but not solve for....and if reducing the problem...it could well be that background something is interfering with Sonars performance when IDLE with no tracks or play or record engaged or IN USE...As I have noted.
 
It also seems to show that only Sonars CPU meters in my case, was jumping, Microsoft's CPU meter did not spike at all...when running side by side...SO what Sonar is reporting seems in error, or Microsoft's Cpu metering is in error...of reporting true ..In my case.
 
Which one is right or wrong, and what is being monitored in sonar that would cause it to see this activity and display it, when the other cpu meter does not?
 
Now we are getting into the meat and potatoes of code ....and I do not want to become a coder or bug hunter of code for or solve for...that is what CW bakers should look into, if it is found to be a issue with more than ONE or TWO PEOPLE.
 
And that is why I am tying these links into the pot luck...cause something is common with us all who have the issues with cpu spiking using sonar, and other DAws using perhaps Libraries of C+++-)()(:...perhaps that is key to finding the route cause?
 
It is better than just throughing my hands up in the air and saying...well Alex's PC works, so the world has no Problems with em...It Just ain't my go to solution.
 
All PCs have to be tweaked ALEX...if You buy the stuff being exclusively made by PC builders, they all say they optimize the OS...that means they tweak it....turning off stuff, and making some things that windows defaults to on the initial install, like sleep mode and monitor sleep , and usb auto turn off, and harddrive power settings, caching and buffers, and such needs to be addressed...that is tweaking..turning off speed step, and other Bios features...that is tweaking the sytem....and no one can not do that when running a DAW for Recording...who wants sleep mode to turn on while working on a project that was left for 5 min, while going to the potty?...or making a coffee?...not me...cause getting out of sleep mode, in some causes may cause the project to fail...and we all know that happens ...and you say save save save..and backup?...But if the system is working properly, ...that could be reduced to save the project when finished working...or after each edit..not every second...because the software may freeze up at any time...lets try to stop the freeze up or crash before hand...would be better served by tweaking something to help reduce it or solve for it.
 
So to reduce reason for freezes , snap crakle and pops..cpu spikes, or overloads, corrupted files, and such...one can do tweakes to help that be reduced.....to nil....and no matter how much you may have a stable system with your hardware...even if I bought what You have..there is no promise I will have the exact same performance....As the electronic parts have variables build in of Plus or minus %..not all are exactly the same even though they have the same specification, there is wiggle room of a set amount...and they can perform slightly differently under same conditions..
 
It is like Guitars, no two play exactly the same, even if they are made by X, and of the same kind of wood and build.
 
So ..You saying my system works great...means moot to me...and I know you tweaked something on it Alex...cause You have to.
 
And that is PC land...Mac Land I have no IDEA what to expect....But I will be reading AVIDs how to install PT 11.2.1.6.9.0. on mac soon enough, and I am sure, I will have to tweak it...Just saying...and the learning curve will be interesting ...for the last part of my life trying to get this working in Blissful meaded directions....cheers!..But that will not stop me from continued seeking of the cause of this system failure and culprit ...Cause I like resolve in my mind to be made meaded.

I don't see any conspiracy here, I run a saffire pro 40 on FireWire. I/O buffers and ASIO set to 128. All software up to date. Works fine. Other people running USB fine. Sure people have problems but the last thing a software house wants to look is incompetent with stability.

I have a sapphire Pro 40 , And it worked great in XP with a lot of my software...It is when I moved to win 7 and PT 9, and this system, and then all hell broke loose with it, and my devices and software, not working right..Admin or not....and here I am...why?...well that is technology and the cow's nature I guess...Competent enough to know something is slightly out of phase with MS and Music Production solutions not being made standard I suppose for some...ASIO 2 is one of the things that seems to work...although limiting the amount of devices that can be run at once...it is pretty good over the WMD MS solution...But I am sure ASIO 3 might be something coming soon that will let one connect many Audio devices at once and use, for more inputs and such...But that is down the road..or not coming at all, as developers are making devices with more ins and outs these days...With that in mind, and the need to be able to have 8-24 or 32 tracks being recorded at once...the system has to be able to do it...with out interruptions.....That is where I seem to be hitting a speed bump, bottle neck , or bad code, or app or service causing...or device is damaged...See...experience with the system, says it was working with XP, But when I moved to win 7 all things changed...and so more money went to solve for, buying things that should work...but do not.
 
Now when one has the system working to blissful standards of....One should turn off automatic updates...cause one thing overwritten can cause Problems to arise...Right?...and that is a tweak of the OS...and that is my point being made ...sometimes updates cause problems....not saying it does for all, or at all...but sometimes it does..in my case, another variable to ponder more.
 
 
 
 

Just googled CPU spiking...and got this info.
 
http://www.tomshardware.c./forum/322580-28-spiking
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTX-BNB7xMQ

Just another thing to add, the other thing I learnt is with performance PC's stability is the risk you take. If you are using parts that are so much faster than what is being used in common mainstream mass production PC's, you could end up being the beta tester before it goes mainstream, in software it's the norm nowadays, but when it happens with hardware it is a nightmare. Big rule for me is always wait for the third revision.

Ok seems that, The sabertooth x58 motherboard's HD controller was buggy...I received a new board from ASUS, although it has the same controller and exactly the same rev number..I know now that SSD drives on this board cause issues.
 
Solution: Change the board and such to something more up to date.
I opted  for the Asus Z87 quad with thunderbolt 2© and am now using the Allen and Heath r16 via Thunderbolt.
Seems to  be working ok.
 
So I would say thanks for all who tried to help...Although it went in the wrong directions, and I was getting frustrated...as were others...Sorry if I ruffled feathers, But I kind of knew that through tweaking the system, there was a problem with it...Not saying it was bad code or OS...it just helped revealed more so, that it was not addressable through normal means of conduct...Routing out the issue, through Tweaking OS, only proved more so, a Hardware issue was present....Driver updates may have caused with flashing the latest firmware for the ssd, while using the buggy controller onboard.
 
So this has been solved with much mead...the hard way....LOL
 
Sir Les

So, Sir Les - things are OK now?  If so, that IS good news.
 
If I didn't already HAVE gray hair, hardware/software adventures would surely GIVE me gray hair.  :)
 
I hope your system remains stable for you, so you can finally get to the whole objective of it all - making music.
 
Best of luck to you with it all, 
 
Bob Bone
 
 

BIG THANKS...It is too soon to tell if this will work out with the new parts, I am still installing, devices, Programs, and putting in the key codes for oh so many Plugins, and libraries and such....and then once all is updated and working, with dongles and bells...looking ok so far though...."I will back up the hole deal once testing is over" ..Wink...And begin testing the setup, without INTERNT most likely tomorrow....And see what clicks or pops as it goes,...on..always it seems in past builds,...Again Thank you Alex and Bob...together we snuffed out the bad...And brought in the new!...With much mead made consumed by all? or just me, to reduce the hair changing colour, or falling out I hope...if not..in future a possibility you might wanna try?
 
My next computer coming in Feb, is a Mac...and what a costly investment...I hope it does the job better than PCs have for me in past.
Always learning something new PC, and now mac ...could be a good thing?
 
But we still have this new PC to try out...with Thunderbolt 2 before it gets here.
 
Remember sometimes updating does not always solve for X...sometimes it creates the issues!
 
And we learned from each other...
 
Best wishes and Regards!
 
 
Sir Les
 
 

Nah, I think I am at level ground..LOL....I was over specified once upon a time, and that didn't turn out to well.... So we gotta do what we gotta do, and down size so sonar and other Daws can keep up with me...As far as I know the x58 boards all have the same controller chips, or do not have sata 3 ports,...So the six core 980 x cpu is now a wall decoration..,,Until I find a reasonable replacement with a better HD controller for SSD drives, or. and better or great reviewed MB from brand X...with HDD only and sata 3 could be something to consider later on with what has been restored By ASUS with the Sabertooth x58....
 
This PC build is just for now testing the thunderbolt 2 firewire adapter with Allen and Heath R16, Sonar x3d, and other programs...Sonar seems to have issues still with cpu hickups...Hmmmm and I turned up the cache in Sonar to 1024 record and read,..not sure if it is the SSD causing this, but it is something moved from the old build..and so is the  Corsair TX 750 PSU....But I am now going to find out!...I've cloned the ssd drive to a 1tb wd black HDD, and then will be removing the M4 Crucial ssd.... Seeing if it still causes spikes with out the ssd plugged in...would rule it out....That should be interesting...I am now booted to the New Cloned drive, and all things seem installed ok...I may have to re-enter the key codes and such...but it beats reinstalling everything....Just checking in before the shut down and removal of a possible suspected variable....as I hate those things....wink.
 
And then the mac is coming in Feb, so far, no emails saying otherwise.. fingers crossed, as I have read it may be delayed for some who ordered after Dec 23 ....That will make me over specified for everything Mac, and Windows can be run on a mac I am told...again Issues?...and the issues will come with it, I guess with mead needed more of...for the "to be sure" fun.
 
Thanks Paul P....I love it when so directed to check the specified requirementss....thrice !
 
oh I have a Asus P9x79WS board 980x cpu running my Gaming and testing of PT 11.1, Propellerhead reason 7.1, Acid Pro 7.0e. Vegas pro 12, Fruity Loops 11, Mixcraft 5, and Soundforge 11, and UAD Solo..which I did not remove from my specs till now......with Motu pre 4...Seems rock solid...and it doesn't have SSDs...So one system may be telling me something here and now about them?...to reflect on what Bob said more so , ponder, and try...The same formula on this one.
 
More testing, and results to come soon.
 
Stay tuned in...and see what burns out first....(I think the mead store may run out of my favorite Stock before that happens again.) But I've seen a flying pig...so nothing phazes me in them terms anymore...lol
 
Sir Les is building a studio...and something has to work soon..or else more mead is in need.