Hi,
I had problems with my Nvidia card causing random screen blackouts on open apps like VLC and co, switching off the Focus Animation fixed it for me!. I cannot comment on ATI/AMD cards sorry!.
In Google Earth, Tools > Options > 3D View > Graphics Mode > Use safe mode, it might help?:
I would switch off things in Compiz one by one to see what might be causing it or buy a newer card!.
That's all I've got for you now, I hope it helps.!. 
Eh, I just turned off Compiz for now. MATE is pretty speedy, doesn’t need all of those animations anyway. I don’t even see windows appearing. I’ll work on it when I get the time to experiment.
Again, appreciate all the suggestions anyway.
Ryan
Just to inform you all, this entire problem has seemed to pass over since the reinstallation to 15.04. Not sure what resulted in this change in behaviour, but stocked none the less to see it gone 
Looking forward to the future releases to come.
