@jess_bry You've done a lot already, but just to make sure, when you tested in the clean user folder, did you add any content to it? If so, please try another clean folder, this time with zero content added: no mods, no saves, nothing.
Either way, please try disabling the EA App in-game overlay, notifications, and any other settings you can find. If that doesn't help, put the App in offline mode before launching Sims 4.
If that doesn't help either, please run a dxdiag and attach it to a post.
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/
