When I installed my 1080 my monitors refresh rate automatically reverted back to 60hz, I had to go into my nvidia control panel and set it back to 144hz

This. I had to force the resolution in Nvidia control panel. My ultra wide only does a lowly 60hz but Windows wouldn't let it go above 50hz even with my monitors latest drivers installed. You should be getting better performance, my single 1080 sc does 60fps in The Witcher 3 no problem, max settings and extra visual mods installed. Same resolution. It can drop towards 40 during cutscenes or certain angles in certain areas but is few and far between. I play with v-sync on as extra fps over 60 causes some tearing.

I would also make sure to double check the different control panels and all the different places that can cap the refresh rate. Also personally I think afterburner is much easier to deal with over precision x

glenn37216
Have you tried the hotfix driver posted in the nvidia forums? Its refreshrate fix which may solve your clock issues as well.

His clock rate issue was solved via a DDU uninstall and fresh driver install.

But the hot fix might help with the FPS / refresh rate issue.