A tip I've found to help alot with older DAW systems:
Computer -> Properties -> Advanced System Settings -> 'Advanced Tab' -> Performance, Click Settings -> 'Advanced Tab'-> Change the Selection from 'Programs' to 'Background Settings'
Also, try this as well afterwards
Control Panel -> Sound -> 'Sounds Tab' -> Sound Scheme -> Set to 'No Sounds'
What this should do is process-prioritise all of the plugin shell extensions over the DAW itself and the No sound scheme will remove the system sound reserve so your sound card should be able to handle more.
Give it a try and let me know if you notice much of a difference.
WiLD11
nice