MOTU UltraLite AVB & Windows Audio drop outs??

Hi there, I hope someone can help me.

I have had issues with the sound on my system for ages but have only been doing podcasts on the set up so I have got away with it, but this is going to change soon.

I seem to be getting either complete drop outs where the sound cuts, or points where the sound is just distorted with some kind of interference. This happens when Im on Cubase or when I am just using Skype. I seem to be able to reboot the audio condition by changing the buffer size back and forth and the Sample settings.

I made the mistake of updating my PC a couple years ago all at once so am not sure what the issue is, is it windows 8?, the new MOTU AVB I bought? , or could it be motherboard or RAM related?