Monitor locks up and GPU fans stop

Hello. I am running Windows 8.1 preview and whenever I play certain games my monitor locks up and my GPU fans stop and the only way for it to work is by restarting my PC. I don't think my card is defective because I was able to run the game once until it crashed. I am running on 32 bit if that makes any difference. And I don't believe it overheats because I keep MSI Afterburner running the whole time. Any help?

Edit: This also happened on Windows 7 32 bit.

Are you using MS drivers or full ones from GPU manufacturers site ? If only MS drivers, they are pretty basic and do not have all the things proper ones do.

I am using AMD's latest catalyst.

What are your CPU and GPU temps, because it sure sounds like an overheating issue. Use some temp monitoring software like speedfan, AIDA64, HWmoinitor or speecy while your in game. The cross reference what the max temps or for your CPU/GPU from the respective vendors webiste to what temps your experiencing while in game.

As of now (not in a game) my GPU temp is 41 C and my CPU is 44 C.

Have you tried running your game in Windows 8 (not Windows 8.1 Preview)?
Note that Windows 8.1 Preview is NOT a finished OS. Bugs are expected to happen.

Well, I turned down the graphics for the games with the problem and I opened my PC case and put a big fan blow on it. The games now work. I guess it was an overheating problem.

Have you blown out the the dust from the cpu heatsink and fan as well as the gpu heatsink and fan. If not, you really need to and do it on a regular basis. I do mine on a quarterly basis and more if needed.