I just did a new build not to long ago with the following specs:
-Intel Core i7 4790k @ 4.0 GHz
-ASRock Fatal1ty Z97X Killer Motherboard
-G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1866
-EVGA 04G-2974-KR GTX 970 Super Clocked
-Western Digital WD Black WD1001FALS 1TB 32MB Cache
-Windows 8.1 Professional 64-Bit
-Corsair 500R Case
-Asus VG248QE Monitor
 
I only have two games installed right now The Witcher 2 and Far Cry 4. The Witcher 2 I'm just past the tutorial and I'm averaging between 12-20 FPS on Ultra, if I lower the settings I get around 15-24 FPS. When I boot Windows into Diagnostic mode which loads the bare essentials for Windows to operate I get around 50 FPS. I tried rebooting my computer normally and lowering the start up programs/tasks and I still get the 12-20 FPS/15-24 FPS. However I can play Far Cry 4 on Ultra settings and 60+ FPS.
 
Anyone else having this issue?
 
 

 

gvamp
When I boot Windows into Diagnostic mode which loads the bare essentials for Windows to operate I get around 50 FPS.

Looks like you've identified where the problem is coming from.
 

Sorry to bump this but it appears it might be an issue with the 970 cards after doing researchn on Nvidia forums. Is EVGA going to offer anything in terms of replacement if that's indeed the case? Nvidia themselves has been pretty hush hush on the issue as they're tring to figure it out. I've tested old and new drivers and still get the same result. Is anyone else with the 970 or 980 having the same issue?

Well I think I might have fixed my issues just now I watched a video on how to improve performance on Windows 8/8.1 and I did that and I'm not getting 120 FPS on The Witcher 2 on Ultra settings. I did some changes to my hard drive in the Device Manger and in the Nvidia control panel I selected balanced for 3D settings and that seems to have fixed it.