I use my computer pretty hardcore compared to most computer users, and as a result I tend to destroy the hardware rather fast. On my previous laptop (which was admittedly poorly cooled) I had it repired 57 times over the course of it's 1.5 year LIFESPAN. This time around, I didn't make the same mistake with the cooling, so I can rule that out. Additionally, I did extensive checking for viruses using, but not limited to HijackThis, BitDefender, Trend Micro, Spybot S&D, AdAware, and SuperAntiSpyware. So I can probably rule out it being malware, too. I've had this computer for about a year, so because of that and the aforementioned facts, I'm pretty sure a hardware component is failing. I don't know which one, but that's what I'm here to discuss.

My computer runs Windows 7, with a 60 gig OCZ Vertex and a 1 TB regular HDD. i7 processor, Gigabyte P55-U3DL mobo, 2x 2gig OCZ memory, nVidia 570 graphics card, and a Corsair Pro 750w PSU. I built it myself, and let me tell ya, it didn't run so terribly when I first built it. The first symptom was files taking a long time (~500ms) to read or write. As time has gone on, this delay has become longer to the point where it's around 4-5 seconds. I wasn't able to pinpoint which component it is, so I just DEALT with it for a while. Now, however, video will tend to stutter; in varying ways, too. Video game rendering will run at a solid 50 FPS (it's capped because I have an LCD) no matter what game I play, but any time the visible area moves, the game will drop to a ridiculously bad 5-10 FPS. Without the FPS cap, most games will easily go to 150-200 FPS, so I find this to be very odd. Secondly, any video I play will randomly stop and sit there as if it's buffering, even though the bar could be completely full. After a few seconds it'll resume playing as normal. I tried reinstalling the video drivers, to no avail.

I checked the SMART info on both drives, the SSD shows read/write errors, and the HDD shows ridiculously high spin-up times. I'm thinking this could point to either a SATA Controller malfunction (the mobo) or both drives are failing simultaneously. The only reason I won't rule out both the HDD/SSD failing is because I had two Hard drives fail simultaneously a few years back. I don't want to replace the motherboard and still have a poorly performing system. Unfortunately, I don't have a HDD I can just swap out to test if it is indeed the motherboard. So, what other way could I go about figuring out which component is failing, if not through swapping parts?You appear to have adequate ram but have you tested to see if they are all functioning. Heating issues (as you have learned from previous times ) can also cause this type of erratic behavior. Have you tried using a cooling pad when your using it? truenorthI forgot to specify this is a desktop. It's got like 8 fans so it never goes over 45 CELSIUS. (I run a temp monitor.)

I haven't tested the ram yet actually though, so I'll GIVE that a shot. Usually my computer would BSoD when the RAM died, but I figure there's no reason to rule it out until it's been tested.Memory scan came back clean, so I'm guessing by the lack of responses I just have to go find some random hardware and swap it out to see if it makes a difference.I am not a "gamer" myself but given your track record re by your own admission re how much you push your computers and how often you have failures i have a suggestion. I suspect that some (maybe most) of your problems emanate from hard drive issues (speed/access/amount of use). Have you considered that due to your gaming use requirements you might be better off with this?
http://www.terapvp.com/threads/hard-drive-recommendation-for-tera.14/#axzz1KjoYiB6q
truenorthI would say its the HDD. As they start to fail and wear out the amount of CPU usage getting data off of them increases a great deal. Another SSD or new HDD would be the best bet I would say. I know this from running mapping computers in my day to day. My HDD die in about a year and really strain the CPU when they are on the way out.