Sorry for my delay. My findings are as follows:
The CMOS battery being removed and inserted did NOT solve the problem. The problem still occurs in Win 7 x64 and Ubuntu 12.04 x64.
Drivers are not the issue because the issue is present in Windows and Ubuntu. Such is the case with a fresh Windows install, viruses, blah blah blah. THIS IS A HARDWARE ISSUE.
ANYWAY: I ran in to the local Walgreens and dropped $2 on an Energizer CR 2032 battery. Popped the old CMOS battery out, popped the new one in, and I have been running for 27 hours straight (Idle and full load) and haven't gotten the freezy screen.
Why the CMOS battery causes it, anyone guess. I suggest using a name brand battery (unless you want to be in the same position soon)