Edit: I'm BACK! Whatever they put in the last update (Friday I think it was), it did the trick for me at long last, no more ctd's or lost connection (other than when the server goes down for everyone lol). I run it smooth as a babies bottom now and am so glad I waited and didn't run out and spend cash on a new card or system, seems it wasn't anything to do with my hardware at all. I hope that turns out to be true for others as well.
PS Danielle, gratz on winning, but I voted for someone else, and lord what a cat fight going on over it all lol