Random Lag Spikes in TF2 with a GTX 770

[billabong615]

Hi,
I seem to be getting strange lag spikes when playing TF2. They started a couple of months ago, but were relatively minor and varying in frequency. Recently though, I cannot play for more than 5 seconds with it happening. By "it", I mean the screen freezes for about 1-5 seconds, with the audio repeating the last 0.5 seconds of sound. The sheer frequency of these occurrences has rendered the game unplayable. MSI afterburner has shown that the GPU usage and the FB usage (don't know what that is) drops to 0% when the game freezes. I haven't overclocked or changed the default systems.

P.S there is no difference in my ping.

(optional)

Similar things are happening in different games as well.
Skyrim: Audio stops, then catches up after about 5 seconds by playing everything that happened during the gap.
Dishonored: Sound effects stop but music continues
Bioshock: Same as TF2.

PLEASE HELP

Specs:
i5 4670k @ 3.4GHz
16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866
Z87-HD3 Gigabyte
Asus GTX 770 2GB
128GB SSD
1TB Hard Drive (where games are stored)
650W Fractal PSU
Seidon 120V Water Cooler
Coolermaster K380
2 x 120mm fans

 

[Skylarz]

Try reinstalling your nvidia drivers and the realtek audio drivers too

 

[sla70r]

I agree with skylarz, I am going to guess that you have devices that are competing with each other to carry your audio.

 

[billabong615]

I tried re-installing the drivers, but that didn't work 🙁. Exactly the same thing keeps happening.

 

[billabong615]

Ok guys, I think I know what the problem is. My HDD usage has now gone up to 100% pretty much all of the time, even when it's doing absolutely nothing. I have also tried to play videos off it and they are extremely jagged. The R/W speeds have also drastically reduced. Because of this, I think I have a faulty HDD.
Thanks for the suggestions though