My empirical evidence ..First i like to say this is not a pro tools problem...just hardware .. i build custom PC's too. an have 20 plus still running audio system..like you i learn ..
The PC's i build some had problems ...MY 45 YEARS of being a Broadcast engineer help ...
i have work with IBM/ TI/engineers to protect my nations advance electronics is my game ..
As a engineer I will say it's just advice i learn you can use it or not..it has always been up to you...oh the USB3 interface i have one an a USB2 on my PC they work better on the one's with USB3.1 on the MB..on the one's that had USB3.0 had some problem that came up, move over to the one with USB3.1 same DAW same work no problem..like a pop ...etc during loading ..or replaying here.
in 2010 i build my first AMD PC an a Intel PC an have pick up on a few things like the controller...on the MB..before that it was HP Intel.i test with two PC's one AMD PC an one Intel PC same USB Interface's same DAW's TB on Intel PC only..i had a usb3.0 last year.. move to 3.1 now on all of my PC'S ..now in 2-21 TB4/USB2 is here...time to moving up...