You are right about HAGS. Since it did not help and you want to keep the current driver, the next single fix to try is to keep AutoCAD accelerated but run it on the integrated GPU only. This avoids the Arc driver path while keeping your new driver and features.
Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics. Click Browse, add acad.exe from C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2018\acad.exe. Click the added AutoCAD entry, choose Options, pick Power saving GPU, then Save. Restart AutoCAD, run GRAPHICSCONFIG, turn Hardware acceleration On, and keep the extra effects off at first.
If your PC has only one GPU, the Options button will not appear, in that case tell me and I will give you a different single step.
About the pop up balloon. That window is System Variable Monitor. It warns when certain AutoCAD variables change. You can turn the balloon off by running SYSVARMONITOR and unchecking Enable balloon notification, or keep it on and just know what each item means.
Here is a plain map of the variables you showed and how they affect work and speed:
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CMDDIA controls whether commands that support a dialog use a dialog or the command line.
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1 shows dialogs which is normal.
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0 forces command line prompts.
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FILEDIA controls whether file open or save uses a dialog.
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1 shows the file dialog.
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0 prompts on the command line.
- Setting it to
0 often confuses users.
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HIGHLIGHT controls the bright highlight after you select objects.
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1 keeps it on which is easier to see.
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0 turns it off and can speed up heavy drawings a little.
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MIRRTEXT controls mirrored text.
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0 keeps text readable after mirror which is usual for production drawings.
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1 mirrors the text so it appears reversed.
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PICKADD controls how new selections interact with the current selection set.
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0 replaces the set each time you pick.
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1 adds to the set.
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2 adds to the set and uses Shift to remove items which most users prefer.
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PICKAUTO controls automatic window selection when you click in a blank area.
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0 disables auto windows.
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1 creates a selection window by dragging right for window and left for crossing.
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2 forces crossing.
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3 allows both depending on drag direction. Higher values make windowing quicker but can impact interactivity on very large drawings.
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PICKFIRST controls whether you can pick objects before starting a command.
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1 allows pick first which most people want.
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0 requires you to start the command first.
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SDI controls single document interface behavior.
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0 allows multiple drawings in one AutoCAD session which is modern default.
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1 restricts AutoCAD to one open drawing and can break some workflows.
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SELECTIONPREVIEW controls glow on hover before you click.
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0 disables it. 1 highlights when no command is active.
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2 highlights during a command.
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3 does both which is common.
- Turning this down can make big drawings feel snappier.
Frequent balloons usually mean a script, add in, or even an unintended key press toggled one of these. If the alerts are distracting, keep SYSVARMONITOR on but click Edit List in that dialog and leave only the few you care about, for example FILEDIA and CMDDIA, so you still get warned if those break your dialogs.
Try the integrated GPU routing and tell me how AutoCAD feels with acceleration on. If the option is not available or the stutter remains, I will give you one different step next.