Have you tried cleaning up the audio pool? I don't remember how to do this and it's probably changed since I used Cubase last but, you should be able to find an option to "delete all unused files" or something to that effect. If you have done that, then make sure you clean out your trash bin as they will sit in there until you've emptied it out.

+1 on the trash bin.

In some softwares files may be converting in the background from 16-bit to 32-bit? This happens in programs like the multitrack video editing program, Adobe Premier Pro. So, if you have 35 GB of audio files you'll really also have an additional 70 GB of audio files that were automatically up converted and placed in another special folder by the software. You may have chosen some kind of 32-bit option in your current software? Or you might be recording at 24-bit and it's in turn, up converting to 32-bit? This is where I've seen a lot of this happen as even Adobe Audition has a similar situation to this that I deselect.

I also think that there is something of a misconception between resolution & bits? Is 24 bit higher in resolution than 16 bit? Or is 96 kHz higher in resolution than 44.1 kHz? The answer really is the sample rate & not the bit depth. So for instance, you can have higher resolution recording 16 bit at 96 kHz (or 88.2 kHz) than 24-bit at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. But your attention to levels and how you process your audio can be quite dependent on bit depth. Me? I don't care. I know how to keep my levels within a 96 DB window so 16-bit is just fine. But if you're recording at lower levels (because you're scared to death of a clip) and then you want to do lots of processing, go 24 bit. Besides, the lower bit rate & lower sample rate is so much easier for a disk drive to deal with when you're talking +24 tracks from. Let's face it buddy, you're trying to upgrade on a very limited budget so you really have to understand what your priorities are? Quality or quantity? Are both possible? Absolutely yes. Just know your quality will not improve with a superduper computer, it's what you plug into it that counts.

Lots of stuff and still counting... The loss of my money
Mx. Remy Ann David

Thanks for the info. I think I know what might have happened and I think everyone might be right, I'll check it out tomorrow. I tried deleting all unused media on the last cubase file, but I also save all of my old mixes, I'm wondering if the media is still saved due to the previous mixes. Also I think my settings are on 32 bit floating so they may be upconverted as well. I'll let you know either way. I put another hard drive in my computer regardless as I have too many bands coming in and I don't want it filled up on some "magical" take

Have you finished recording? If so, save the project you are working on as "save project to new folder". Create a folder (eg Project2). You will then be given an option to "Remove unused files". Should work fine. Delete (or back up) the older folder.
Cheers
Phil