Windows 7 - Games for Windows live, Hard Lag once in a while.

Is there a way to reduce system demand from GFWL? or Steam?(Not so much steam tbh).
Steam never seems to cause any issues though.

When im in a game (That runs 120-130 frames per second even).
When I hit HOME to enter GFWL menus, Sometimes it will run silky smooth and sometimes it will lock up the system for 2 full seconds with almost every button I press.
(Even during non heavy game demand in the background) like when im outside on the game menu also.

I can understand the generic "Well the games running hard, so the menu on top of that slows it down".
but sometimes it will be silky smooth in the menus, and other times (In the same menu...) it will have load lag spikes nonstop.

the point is.. there should be a way to disable all the fancy overlays, in favor of a very basic ascii menu. or something.