Here is everything you need to know about why this works and how to do it properly. Unlike your CPU, which is constantly juggling thousands of background tasks, your GPU runs on a "fifo" (first in, first out) system. But over time, a poorly coded game, an over-aggressive overclock, or a memory leak can leave the GPU in a "zombie" state.
sudo killall nvidia-smi If that fails, reload the kernel module:
Before you reinstall drivers, before you blame the game developer, and certainly before you buy a new graphics card:
Next time your screen turns into abstract art, resist the urge to hold down the power button. Just hit Win + Ctrl + Shift + B and get back to the action.