I just installed the AMD Dual Core Optimizer - it really works! (I had already done the other steps before - but I did not know about the Optimizer until I read this thread). Games now run much smoother - Thanks!!

JUST ONE THING:

There is a known compatibility issue with the Dual Core Optimizer and older versions of d-tools. When I first installed the Optimizer it put my machine into a restart loop - I noticed it restarted when it would usually load d-tools and checked on their website for info and it turns out they have recently released an update that fixes it. You can install the update from www.daemon-tools.cc/ - I believe the problem actually lies in the SPTD driver supplied with d-tools, a newer version of this driver can be found here http://www.duplexsecure.com/ (should you not want to upgrade d-tools).

If anyone else has this problem and is in the restart loop - just load windows using "the last settings that worked" (or something similar) from the boot menu (F8 at startup). Then just update d-tools and reinstall the optimizer.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, I didn't have time to read the whole thread - perhaps the issue should be noted in the guide for others that may have the problem.