Tips for reaching over 144 FPS?

[Zaranghae]

Hi I'm not sure if this is the right place to post, but recently started playing FFXIV again and after many graphics adjustments, I can only reach a maximum of 90-110 FPS. My specs are:
i7 4790k 4.00 GHZ, not overclocked yet
EVGA GTX 980 SC
16 GB Ram, 500GB 850 Pro, etc.

I am trying to hit over 144 FPS on maximum settings because I use a 144 HZ monitor. I have HBAO+ Standard and Real time reflections off although these didn't help much. Even at lowest graphics, I only hover 120-130.

My nvidia control panel settings are:
8x Super sampling, ambient occlusion off, single monitor mode, Adaptive, Clamp, Frame 1.

Benchmark:
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward Benchmark
Tested on: 6/29/2015 12:24:08 PM
Score: 15306
Average Frame Rate: 117.903
Performance: Extremely High
-Easily capable of running the game on the highest settings.
Loading Times by Scene
Scene #1 0.902 sec
Scene #2 4.198 sec
Scene #3 3.196 sec
Scene #4 3.200 sec
Scene #5 3.101 sec
Scene #6 1.271 sec
Total Loading Time 15.868 sec

DAT:s20150629122408.dat

Screen Size: 1920x1080
Screen Mode: Full Screen
DirectX Version: 11
Graphics Presets: Custom
General
-Wet Surface Effects: Enabled
-Occlusion Culling: Enabled
-LOD on Distant Objects: Disabled
-Real-time Reflections: Highest Quality (DirectX 11 Only)
-Edge Smoothing (Anti-aliasing): FXAA
-Transparent Lighting Quality: High
-Grass Quality: High
-Background Tessellation: High Quality
-Water Tessellation: High Quality
Shadows
-Self: Display
-Other NPCs: Display
Shadow Quality
-LOD on Shadows: Enabled
-Shadow Resolution: High - 2048p
-Shadow Cascading: Best
-Shadow Softening: Strong
Texture Detail
-Texture Filtering: Anisotropic
-Anisotropic Filtering: x16
Movement Physics
-Self: Full
-Other NPCs: Full
Effects
-Limb Darkening: Disabled
-Radial Blur: Disabled
-Screen Space Ambient Occlusion: HBAO+: Standard Quality (DirectX 11 Only)
-Glare: Normal
Cinematic Cutscenes
-Depth of Field: Enabled

System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.150525-0603)
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00GHz
16325.652MB
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (VRAM 3072 MB) 10.18.0013.5330

[Issac]

The human eye's refresh rate has its limits, you know. About 1/5th of what you are trying to achieve, even. Do you want this just for bragging rights?

[Darkobra]

There's no point in being at 144 fps if you're fluctuating. Consistent frame rate is better than a high fluctuating framerate jumping between 80-144. You'll feel it.

[T2teddy]

Holy cow man...I can barely eke out 60 fps. Game runs great for me...

[Zaranghae]

144 versus 60 fps is a HUGE difference in my eyes, mainly because I play competitive FPS games so I tend to notice even tiny flickers and details much faster. It's not for bragging rights, I just want to see if I will need to SLI and purchase another 980 to hit 144 fps.

[Etiken]

Issac, this may be true but using a 144hz monitor and pairing that with 120+ fps isn't just about simply how many frames your eyes will end up seeing. You will most definitely notice smoother game play with a setup the OP is trying to achieve. If you have a computer store near by like Frys or something go check it out. I promise you, the day you switch to a 144hz monitor with a GPU that can push the FPS as well... you'll never go back.

That being said... I wish the OP luck in achieving a stable 140+ frame rate in an MMO.

[Issac]

144 versus 60 fps is a HUGE difference in my eyes, mainly because I play competitive FPS games so I tend to notice even tiny flickers and details much faster. It's not for bragging rights, I just want to see if I will need to SLI and purchase another 980 to hit 144 fps.

I would. And while you're at it, get two 980 blocks from koolance and their CPU block. Get a nice rad, at least 3x120mm, and watercool that sweet rig. OC dem 980's and you'll break 200. :P

[Darkobra]

144 versus 60 fps is a HUGE difference in my eyes, mainly because I play competitive FPS games so I tend to notice even tiny flickers and details much faster. It's not for bragging rights, I just want to see if I will need to SLI and purchase another 980 to hit 144 fps.

That's exactly my point. You'll notice fluctuations. Find a STEADY framerate. And one 980 won't take you that high in an MMO. Although DX9 is useless for SLI and you'll need to do it in DX11.

[Zaranghae]

Well that sucks because I really didn't want to SLI and rush purchased a regular 980 instead of the 980 TI.

[Zaranghae]

I would. And while you're at it, get two 980 blocks from koolance and their CPU block. Get a nice rad, at least 3x120mm, and watercool that sweet rig. OC dem 980's and you'll break 200. :P

Because I only have a regular 980 I opted to buy a 212 Hyper Evo instead of something like an H100i. Would it be better then to return my original 980 and purchase a 980 TI which just came out recently? I heard the card is the best on the market at the moment, and it's cheaper than buying 2 980s and SLI'ing them. Or will 2 original 980s beat a 980 TI?