Driver 442.19 seems to be the source of all problems.
 
Back to 441.87 (previous Driver) and issues resolved were.
 
1) the increase in card temp (5c or so) now running cooler as before.
2) crashes (except same old Dx12 on occasion with MW) but plays much better and cooler now.
3) No forced Gsync. Thought Origin was the cause but it was the 442.19 driver forcing Gsync on.
   I uninstalled/reinstalled the two drivers three times and it is definitely the 442.19 driver forcing Gsync on.
4) was able to bring 2080ti back up to prior memory/clock speeds.