*TOO LONG so skip to my summary then go back if you want*
I believe AK is known to do better with an SSD due to texture streaming.
In my experience though, most modern games (5+ years) do not have this issue as they put the required data into faster system and video memory sections on loading the level or at least tile-based before needed.
The newer PREY game also has sever stuttering on slower drives. It was almost unplayable to me without an SSD.
So... not sure if it's the HDD or not but I highly DOUBT that since it's "just about any game" though AK may have more than one form of stuttering.
I would start by looking at system memory:
1. Is that Dual Channel (2x4GB)?
2. Does MEMTEST86 run a full pass without errors?
3. Is 8GB enough for AK at least? (most games should be yes)
4. do you have minimal CPU usage and system memory usage before starting games?
- no programs like web browsers open
- less than 10% CPU usage (Task Manager->performance->CPU)
- system memory 3GB or less (best to test on reboot)
Other:
An HDD can cause stuttering as well if it's failing thus causing the system to freeze up. You could try running a scan with the drive diagnostic software (Drive Short Test to start).
Other:
You'd need to run a game I'm familiar with but even with an HDD I've generally had minimal stuttering issues.
OTHER:
VSYNC doesn't sound like the issue here, but it's a quick check. Disable it if it's on. For some games with my 1440p 60Hz monitor I force on Adaptive VSYNC then adjust game settings so I hit a solid 60FPS over 90% of the time (it then disables VSYNC if below 60FPS).
GTA5 for me got a lot of stuttering/FPS drops when I had VSYNC ON but was below the target (60FPS on 60Hz monitor) but Adaptive VSYNC fixed that. I couldn't leave VSYNC OFF due to the screen tearing.
NCP-> manage 3d settings-> program settings-> add game-> (setting)-> save
Other:
If none of that helps Google other causes. I'd summarize the main issues as:
a) CPU overwhelmed
b) system or video memory used up
c) HDD/SSD defective
d) texture streaming from HDD too slow (not many games)
e) VSYNC
f) bad game code
g) bad Windows code?
h) system memory borderline functional (should see other issues though)
i) video driver issue
j) wrong GPU used (i.e. monitor to motherboard using iGPU)
OTHER:
Possible DVR recording?
https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/09/theres-a-fix-for-frame-rate-stuttering-in-windows-10/
SUMMARY:
So after thinking a bit, I do think it may be an issue with the HDD since you describe high usage. If possible, here's one approach to test things:
a) buy an SSD (which you may want to use later to install Windows to?)
b) install and test (i.e. Samsung Magician and benchmark should be over 500MBps for sequential reads/writes)
c) Use STEAM to create a folder (i.e. "E:\Steam")
d) copy several games with stutter issues to the SSD (can "move" each game via Steam easily)
e) test for stutter
If the above works it may be a failing HDD and/or texture streaming issue. Again though, most games don't use the storage drive very much during actual gameplay.
Again, there are different reasons for stutter (slash FPS drops) and in some cases you may have multiple issues, in PARTICULAR due to:
a) insufficient system memory
b) HDD issue (failing?)
c) VSYNC stutter (when below target)
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