Graphics are artifacting and then freezing.

[Born2bwire]

I've got a Sager 5796 (Clevo 570TU) that I bought two years back that came with a Nvidia 9800GTM and Vista. Recently, the graphics have started producing artifacts shortly followed by freezing of the system. I haven't noted anything that sets it off nor have I knowingly added any new software that correlates to it (I haven't added any updates around the time it started). Though it does seem to trip on certain programs (Youtube videos, running the Nvidia monitor).

I have cleaned out the video card drivers using Driver Sweeper and installed the latest set but that does not help. The Nvidia monitoring program indicates that the video card is not overheating (50 Grad) and the heatsink does not feel like it is overheating either.

So I'm thinking that video card is on its way out. It's no longer covered by a warranty and I no longer live in the United States so getting Sager to repair it is probably out of the question. As for getting another laptop that isn't feasible either due to the costs and the lack of available laptops in Hong Kong that can do the jobs that I need them to do.

Does anyone here have any ideas? Would it even be possible to replace the card? It seems to me that the card is removable though I haven't removed the heatsink to check properly. But then getting a replacement card seems infeasible.

EDIT: Well I'm in safe mode with networking and have been running Youtube for about 5-10 minutes without any problems. Maybe it is driver related. Beats the hell out of me though...