Cats & Dogs hangs with TS4_x64 was blocked access to graphics

I recently purchased Cats & Dogs expansion and since, I can't play more than five minutes until the games stutters then throws the now infamous "TS4_x64.exe was blocked access to graphics hardware". Now, I've read numerous posts which seem to point to either a sub-performing PC problem or defect card, which isn't the case here for both options. I can play heavy games such as Wolfeinstein II or Doom without problem. Sims 4 even automatically set graphics quality to the best settings.

Sims 4 was doing fine until C&D was purchased. I tried updating video drivers, running as different user, etc. all to no avail. Any clue?