I use Chrome and the problem persists even on other browsers.

Dunno, but for me it's related to FlashPlayer.

If you can, try to format your PC, but as I said, I can't guarantee it will work.

Bump. Still searching for an answer my brothers and sisters.

My initialk toughts were
- AMD driver gone amok or
- heat issue or
- sound driver issue

You obviously have already tested that.

What you describe would also be coherent with a piece of software launching itself in the backgroung, sucking your resources and then closing itself. Antivirus / security suites/ software clients being the likely candidates. Whch security suite do you use ? did it update around that time ?

Have you made a check for malwares / adwares ( Malwarebytes & co ) ?

I use Avast and I usually run Comodo Firewall but I have been shutting off for testing reasons. I also use Emsisoft Antimalware and Malwarebytes.

When you say you use Avast and Emsisoft Antimalware, I hope you don't mean that you have them both running. It's a bad idea to run two AV concurrently as they can very well conflict with each other.

I haven't used Emsisoft Antimalware for a long time now, but Avast can be very nosy, it likes to interfere with just about everything. Try making some modification to the shields you're using (setting some exceptions) and see if that makes a difference. Also, in Avast, even if you disable the shields, the Avast service still runs in the background.

Have you checked your router log to see if there are any odd entries there?

No, of course not, that would be stupid. >_<

I will tinker with the shields and check the router log entries.

I've had a similar problem as a result of the audiodg.exe process - some kind of memory leak or other. cant find a solution beyond restarting the computer.

Huh, never thought of that nor knew what that was. I will check this out.

Hmmm.. I'd say it's possibly a few things.

1) Virtual Memory is set too high and you're running enough programs it's trying to swap ram. (If you have over 6Gig ram, you can probably safely turn off VM).

2) Connected to #1, you have too many services turned on you don't need. Manage your services and turn off any you don't need (like printer spool if you don't have a printer, Themes, auto update, windows time, etc).

3) Eye-candy GUI. Change the settings from auto or 'looks the best' to 'performs best'. If this turns off Aero then you'll see more free memory too.

4) Priority of some programs are too high. For a game or player set to 'above average', other programs forcibly set to 'below average'. If it's something like data compression, backup, compiling, or some other long task, set to 'lowest priority'.

The audiodg.exe seemed to be the culprit, I think it is fixed. Waiting for a few more days to pass before I draw a conclusion.