My x52 is about 9 months old. Outside of my frustration with the SST software/driver matchup issues it has performed really well, mapped in AH no SST.
But! tonight for example I had been flying for about an hour when it seemed like the controls got mushy, lack of correct input the plane was much harder to control (same plane type all nite). This does happen intermittently. I reboot and everything is fine again.
It doesnt happen all the time and Im running on a stripped down dual boot Win xp with FS autostart so I know (don't think) its something in the backround. I also run it off of a powered hub.
My personal opion is its the drivers in my case. If yours is anything like mine try rebooting the computer, as a quick test.
Good Luck