Game currently installed in Steam files on SSD. Uninstalled and moved game to HDD to reproduce. Freezing much more severe on HDD, and consistently occurs every 5 or so seconds when sprinting. Closing inventory still causes freezing. Lowered graphics settings; problem somehow got worse. Appears that issue is less severe on SSD.
De-installed from HDD, re-installed to SSD using recommended Nvidia GeForce Experience Settings. Game looks great and running 100+ FPS. However, closing inventory still causing 1-3 second visual and audio freezing 100% of time. Another brief freeze ocurred 90 seconds into gameplay whilst running to a house. After 4 minutes no other sporadic freezes. Freeze on closure of inventory remains.