Windows 7: Overheat causing stuttering in game

I was recently trying to play a game on my Nvidia 9500GT when it started stuttering intensely. I thought it was a processor issue, since it was reading at being under 100% load, but when I checked my temperatures, the CPU was barely under any stress while the video card had heated to 111 degrees. Sure enough, when I tried it again on a different game, the frame rate dropped after a few minutes and the card was heated to 113 degrees. I'm assuming the card overheating is causing the stuttering, but I wanted to be sure before I ordered any new parts. Any suggestions?

Overheating could be the issue, but I would check the drivers first. If the drivers are up to date from the manufacturer's website then you might think about either trying a different card (if you have one lying around) or adding a fan/switching to a more powerful fan, if indeed it is an overheating problem.

That would depend on whether you're reading this in Celsius or Fahrenheit.

111F = 43.3C... not hot at all, and about 10C below average. This would mean you have some other issue.

If you're reading this in C, then we don't have to do any math... it's way too hot... and yes, it's causing the stuttering. I'm surprised it's even running at all at those temps.

Check to see if the fan on the card is still spinning; they can die. If the fan isn't spinning, don't use the machine until you either get a new card or a new fan.

Drivers are definitely up to date, but sadly I don't have another card lying around to test.

It was in Celsius, which is why I know this is such a huge problem. It's surprisingly only raising the rest of the computer's temperature by a few degrees and the CPU is staying at a decent range.

I just ordered a GTS 250 and it should be here in a couple days. I'll update when I get it.

You could always try something like Furmark to see what temperature it gets up to. Doing a search on the net 105 is the max which I presume must be Celsius.

You my have a problem with your PSU when using the new card as the GTS250 takes 150w while the 9500GT takes 50w. Try and find out what your PSU wattage is.

Is the fan on the Graphics Card even spinning?

If so, is it possible to force a fixed speed with something like Precision, say at 65% to see if it helps.

If its getting that hot with just any game, running anything like Furmark, which stresses the card even more than any game will would be a bad idea at this point I think.

You may also want to blow the card out with some compressed air. Some heat fins may be blocked.

Next question I would ask is, did you OC your graphic card?