np.
In regards to the access denied messages, there are many windows system processes that cannot be ended as they are required to enable the OS to function correctly. Microsoft have incorporated this into Windows. Of course, it is well known for malware to install itself to browser plugins/addons and the hdd in general that operate with a higher priority in task manager and that actually prevent you from interfering with whatever it was designed to do, but, i don't think your problem is caused by a virus at this point.
I personally prefer ie9, as i've had my share of discrepancies with chrome and others before. It is apparently normal for the entire page to exit. This occurs with Ie9 as well, however, multiple processes for one page is something i don't agree with either.
If you nav to start/run and type "msconfig", you will see on the startup tab the options to disable/untick programs from loading automatically so all you have to do is decide what you'd like to load at boot time and what not. The services tab will enable you to disable the service component of the programs listed the on startup tab if it applies e.g. you can disable itunes from loading automatically and also the system service to detect insertions of ipods/iphones.
Regarding the heat, you'd think the gpu would be overheating even at idle with nothing open... if it is, your problem is really just about solved. Your problem is likely caused by your grapics card- either poor ventilation to the heatsink or poor performance from the current thermal paste. Arguably both and the feedback you've seen from others with the same issue is an indication of this.
There's really nothing else you've said that gives real scope to the possibility of this being caused by anything else, given that you're running an i7 and your system is fine in other departments.
If something was critically damaged, surely there would be a high probability the component would have failed completely by now, or close to it, and you'd (soon) be facing a different problem, such as no posting due to bad ram or psu, no vga/black screen or corrupt operating system due to bad sectors on the drive.
Moreover, paying a technician to reformat the drive or basically remove "bad" software for you is a waste of money if you can do this yourself via Asus partition/os restore feature. Asus, HP, Dell, Toshiba and others usually ship computers with their own system services that may cause higher cpu usage but it shouldn't cause a gpu to overheat especially in the fashion that it does for you.
Have you ever conducted a fresh format and windows installation using a windows disc? Doing this will undoubtedly wash over any 3rd party software-related problems/dangers for peace of mind if you so wish, and it will give you the opportunity to disable system services that are not needed from the word go. If the problem still exists, poor thermal design or thermal function is most likely the culprit but at least you know that for yourself before you spend any money or take risky action to have the gpu re-pasted. I bid you success with this endeavour if you decide to do it yourself.
On the other hand, if you want to skip ahead as you've found it to be a common issue that others have solved with re-pasting, perhaps that is all the hint needed to proceed with the re-pasting asap before any long-lasting damage is done to your hardware.
Keep me posted!
Daveo
