Random Slow GPU performance?

Hi, I'm using an Asus G51Jx with the NVIDIA GeForce GTS360M GPU. Recently, the GPU has been acting up and is giving poor performance occasionally. Sometimes I start games and the FPS is severely lower than usual, but when I check the GPU clocks they are already running at the highest rates and not at the 2D rate. Nothing I do can resolve this problem unless I shut down the computer fully and restart it. Even a simple Restart from Windows doesn't work.

I suspected that this might be a GPU driver problem since after upgrading to newer drivers with a prior slow-GPU, the GPU returns to its usual working state after a new driver is installed and started. However, I've tried upgrading to all available new GPU drivers but this problem remains. Is this a sign of a failing GPU? Sometimes even a restart doesn't work. I had to restart 2-3 times for the GPU to go back to working order occasionally.

I've tried using MSI Kombustor at times when the GPU is having this problem and it too experiences a very significant reduction in FPS from the usual 25+ to only 7-8

 

It could be time to repaste that GPU. Have you checked the temperatures? And do you still hear the fan when it's under load?

 

I don't think it has got to do with temperatures since I've tried launching games immediately after boot and sometimes it's OK and sometimes it's slow. The fan isn't loud and the temperatures according to HWMonitor seems alright.

 

Bump. Anyone have any ideas?