Need For Speed: Most Wanted. FPS spikes // lag.

Running this game on a W7 64bit system and it runs fine on all the highest settings and on the latest patch except for one thing which is highly annoying.

Fraps shows me I get 80+ fps but every 3-4 seconds or so the fps will suddenly dip to sometimes as low as 15 fps and then shoot right back up to 80+ fps.

Now this keeps happening every few seconds or so and because it dips so low it's very noticeable and creates lag.

I've even tried using a fps limiter to see if I could force it to stay at a steady fps, but all that did was force it to 60 fps and it would still get the dips into lower fps.

I'm reading on other forums that people can play it just fine on their 64bit W7 system so I'm wondering what might be causing these fps spikes on mine.

Thx in advance guys.

well to rule out a windows 7 fault play it in compatibility mode and choose windows xp service pack 3.

if it persists then youve already ruled out windows 7 being at fault

Yeah I have actually already tried that.

I don't know what the problem could be. All my drivers are up to date, computer is virus-free and I installed the game from a legit DVD copy.

Are there any setting I should change in the Nvidia control panel perhaps?