For starters I'm using an e6600 processor and a Nvidia GTX 260.
I have no intention of upgrading till the end of the year so I am stuck with this processor for now.

Issue:
I have been playing the game just fine, 40-60fps on my OC 260 and e6600 665/1400/1200 and 3.3ghz; these are the most stable OC I could get out of them.

I just started playing today after a fresh format; I have everything installed, Drivers, DirextX, etc.

Now my CPU is hitting 100% and now and I am unable to play without random lockups during game that last 5 seconds.

I've verified my game files via steam too. I am not sure why all of a sudden, maybe it was the recent updates? When I don't get the random lock ups I am getting good 40-60 fps in game. I am unsure of why it started hitting 100% in game, before it was using 70-80% CPU usage. I am assuming it's due to the recent updates because though, if so I am out of luck and unable to play the game.