FPS drop into client crash on moderately juiced content (Delirium, Breach, etc)

Update- cleared game cache, no effect.

Update: Updated BIOS. Might be seeing some improvement, hard to say. I think I'll try re-introducing some lower settings along with this.

Maybe I'll try an explode ascendency to reduce mob counts faster, haha.

Well, operation 'Just Blow Everything Up with Explode' is a pretty effective work around, just not enough mob build up to trigger the issue. I really thought my PC specs would hold up better, but there must be some really bad interaction between the mobs and my CPU/GPU.

I know they've pushed the engine really far for what it is, but still. I welcome anyone to comment on the specs of my machine and compare with their own experience. Worst case I join the crew waiting on PoE 2. Thanks!

Update: Changed to Vulcan and I think it might be fixed. Before CPU/GPU was very spikey, now its more fluid when it goes up and down. I've not had any luck with Vulcan in the past, but must not have tried it on this machine. Will do some more testing, and then make this thread as resolved if it goes well!

Issue went away for awhile on switching to Vulcan, but now its back. I can hear the computer fans laboring when the issue occurs, I wonder if its overheating, I'll check that next.

....aaaand after that last crash the game won't open anymore. Nice. Verifying local game files and rebooting.

OK reinstalled and removed my user folder to get the game to launch again. As I have been paying closer attention while troubleshooting, I've noticed there is definitely a lower framerate than should be happening even when just walking or navigating an low level map. I'm wondering if the C-State issue could be happening, I have not tried a custom power plan to prevent them from idling.

Two questions for anyone reading this:

1. Are CPU C-States still sometimes an issue for more modern CPUs running PoE?

2. If I only use the custom power plan when playing PoE, how nervous should I be about overheating the CPU? This is a pretty new PC, don't want to kill it. Thanks!