So I finally decide to reload need for speed most wanted on this pimped out rig with high expectations of not only getting back into the game but experiencing the ability of the system to perform with all the candy.

Game installs fine and ran initially but now since I've been into the video settings and maxing them out it locks up whenever I try and start the game. I can watch through the intro if I wanted but when it gets past that to the "click to play" screen it just chokes. If I try and click or move the mouse it locks up dead. If I let it go doing nothing it stutters every few seconds playing the intro music for a couple seconds on and off again and the end result is the same...have to do a hard reset.

I'm reading all kinds of posts of people running at max with the 6800's so I'm having trouble figuring out why a 7900gtx can't!? If I start NFSMW in the safe mode option I get into the game and the menus...leads me to beleive its the video choking. I've updated the game to 1.03 and have also tried using the resolution hack/tweak and it still locks up when trying to run at native res.

HELP!!

WOW...ok I nominate myself for n00b of the weekend...I just looked at my vid settings and WTF! my vid card is set for max power savings when on AC and max performance when on battery! Talk about bass ackwards! "Jeeze I'm an idiot!" (chris farly voice). I don't even want to know how or for how long its been like that!