Performance issues with STALKER 2009

Tried searching this on reddit already, but I am having some serious performance issues with STALKER since I bought it during the Halloween Sale. I followed the 2009 install instructions and launched. Everything loaded super-slow the first time but once in it runs silky smotoh 60% of the time.

However, if I move the mouse fast or any 8-9 seconds there is a second or two hiccup that occurs regulalry. As you may determine, this is extremely frustrating.

Comp specs: AMD X2 3.2, 9800 GTX+, 2gb ram, Windows 7 32bit, playing in 1440x900 res (changing performance sliders does nothing to fix the hiccups).

TD;DR Game keeps freezing for 1-2 seconds 4-5 times a minute or when I mvoe the cursor quickly. Please help!