Sooo,
I've had a number of woes with X2 and now X3. Audio dropouts, graphics problems, sluggish screenset changes, trying to open all pro channels at once in console view took and age, Crackles and pops when doing anything whilst playback was going.
Cake support tried to help, but we didn't really get anywhere.
However, yesterday my C drive started playing up and I decided to investigate. I discovered I had a Western Digital Green Drive, I had suspected it was but wasn't sure. So, I pops for a new OCZ SSD yesterday. I reinstalled Windows 8 Pro, and everything else I needed on the new drive I've cut back on a few things but basically everything is the same.
WOW, is all I can say. Im now getting the full X3b seamless experience, all my woes have disappeared. The project I had been working on was running at 75% CPU is now down to 54% (Go Figure) and not a glitch or splutter to be seen or heard. I've been adding synths on the fly, looping sections with audio running, Pro channel on all 50 odd tracks, not one single glitch.... I'm blown away.
I've only had one afternoon playing but this same project had me pulling my hair out a few days ago.
system specs
Intel i5 (quad)
8 Gigs Ram
Nvidia Gt640 2gig
1x OCZ SSD SATA3 6gbps
1x Seagate 7200 Sample Drive
1x Western Digital Caviar Black 7200 Audio Drive
1x WD 5400 back up Drive
Long may this level of performance continue.
Just thought I'd share.