Freex
Try running DPC latency checker, (google it) if you are see large spikes, try disabling different devices one at a time and re-test,
the "goto" one I'd try first is any network cards/devices, just disable it in device manager. 

I did this as well. Let it run for about 10 minutes. No spikes. Never went over 37µS.

Please provide detail on exactly what plugins are being used in one of these projects that is exhibiting these dropouts and such.
 
Also, please list the Sample Rate and Record Bit-Depth you are running with for one of these projects having the dropouts.
Thanks, 
 
Bob Bone
 

robert_e_bone
Please provide detail on exactly what plugins are being used in one of these projects that is exhibiting these dropouts and such.
 
Also, please list the Sample Rate and Record Bit-Depth you are running with for one of these projects having the dropouts.
Thanks, 
 
Bob Bone
 

No plugins, Bob. I just played a raw 44/16 project and it did it 3 times in 5 minutes.

OK - so no effects whatsoever?
 
You are playing back straight audio tracks only?
 
How many tracks are you playing back?
 
What is running in the background?
 
Also, JUST for testing, what happens if you remove the graphics card and try again? (with only the on-board graphics used)
 
As to why I ask about the above, here is a link to a prior post with issues using the latest drivers for your graphics card: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2452005
 
I am just trying to isolate the problem, and it is a simple matter to remove the card and see the effect that has on the dropouts issue.
 
I am also continuing to dig for other things to look at,
 
Bob Bone
 
 

It looks like the chip set used on your FireWire PCIe card is: 
 
Chipset: Texas Instruments TI XIO2200AZGW
 
(The above information is coming from the specs for your FireWire card, from this link: 
http://www.siig.com/it-products/firewire/firewire-400/pcie/dp-firewire-2-port-pcie.html)
 
In the link I shared in my earlier post above (http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2452005), there is a post that contains the following information (I have not substantiated it though):
 
The Focusrite approved chipsets:

- Texas Instruments (TSB43AB22 and TSB43AB23)
- VIA (VT6306 and VT6308)
 
Perhaps there is an issue there?
 
Bob Bone
 

I had this problem and was recommended to uncheck the "use multiprocessing engine" in preferences/playback&recording. And it worked like a charm. never had a pop or click since then

Skarda
I had this problem and was recommended to uncheck the "use multiprocessing engine" in preferences/playback&recording. And it worked like a charm. never had a pop or click since then

That's a band aid to a major problem. I would fix the problem and not cover it up, as you need multi cores for good performance.
 
Its most likely a FW card problem like many other have said or it can even be an IRQ conflict. Look into both IRQ conflicts and getting a good Firewire card
 
CJ

do you have a wireless?
turn it off in control panel/devise manager.
this did it for me, trust me.

robert_e_bone
It looks like the chip set used on your FireWire PCIe card is: 
 
Chipset: Texas Instruments TI XIO2200AZGW
 
(The above information is coming from the specs for your FireWire card, from this link: 
)
 
In the link I shared in my earlier post above (), there is a post that contains the following information (I have not substantiated it though):
 
The Focusrite approved chipsets:

- Texas Instruments (TSB43AB22 and TSB43AB23)
- VIA (VT6306 and VT6308)
 
Perhaps there is an issue there?
 
Bob Bone
 

Thanks for the response Bob. Where did you find the info regarding Focusrite's approved chipsets? I just double-checked their website and found:
 
Texas Instruments(TSB43AB22, TSB43AB23 and XIO2200A)
 
I chose the one I have based on their recommendations.
 

chuckebaby
do you have a wireless?
turn it off in control panel/devise manager.
this did it for me, trust me.

No wireless. I tried to disable the network adapter via Control Panel but when I do this, my Waves plugins don't work. They are somehow affected by the network adapter.